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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ160A-E3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ160A-E3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ160A-E3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 160VWM 259VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:5,182
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Product details
Overview
SMAJ160A-E3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode designed for robust overvoltage protection in power and signal lines. It features a 160 V standoff voltage (VWM), 178–197 V breakdown range (VBR at 1 mA), 259 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 1.2 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs waveform). It is deployed to safeguard MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in industrial motor drives and automotive power modules.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ160A-E3/5A datasheet, SMAJ160A-E3/5A pinout, SMAJ160A-E3/5A application, or SMAJ160A-E3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 1.2 A surge, thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W), unidirectional polarity marking, SMA (DO-214AC) package compatibility with automated placement, and AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility via HE3 suffix variants.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a fast-acting shunt protector: when reverse voltage exceeds VBR, it avalanches into low-impedance conduction to clamp transient energy away from downstream circuitry. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage (<1.0 μA at 160 V) and repeatable breakdown behavior across temperature.
Designed for 10/1000 μs surge waveforms per IEC 61000-4-5, it delivers 259 V clamping at 1.2 A IPPM while maintaining low incremental surge resistance - critical for limiting voltage overshoot during inductive switching events in 24–48 V DC systems.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 160 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before significant leakage; defines safe operating margin below clamping threshold |
| VBR (min/max) | 178 V / 197 V at 1 mA - Confirmed avalanche onset range; ensures predictable turn-on without premature conduction |
| VC @ IPPM | 259 V at 1.2 A - Measured clamping voltage under standardized 10/1000 μs surge; directly limits stress on protected ICs |
| PPPM | 400 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; supports single-event transients up to 400 W without failure |
| IFSM | 40 A - 8.3 ms half-sine surge current rating; validates robustness against repetitive inrush or fault currents |
| RθJA | 120 °C/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads; informs derating above 25 °C ambient |
| TJ max | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables operation in under-hood automotive or industrial enclosures |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads; meets UL 94 V-0 and J-STD-020 MSL Level 1 (peak reflow 260 °C).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cathode (banded end) | Transient current sink node | Connected to protected line; conducts surge current to ground when VREV > VBR |
| Anode | Reference/ground return path | Typically tied to system ground or low-impedance return plane; completes clamping current loop |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Enables reliable suppression of high-energy transients common in 24–48 V industrial control and automotive power rails |
| 259 V clamping voltage at 1.2 A | Provides defined overvoltage ceiling for 150 V-rated MOSFETs and gate drivers, preventing destructive overvoltage |
| Low leakage <1.0 μA at 160 V | Minimizes standby power loss and avoids false triggering in high-impedance sensor or bias networks |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C peak reflow | Supports lead-free SMT assembly without moisture-related popcorning or delamination risks |
| AEC-Q101 qualified option (HE3 suffix) | Validates reliability for automotive power electronics requiring qualification per stress-test standards |
Applications
| Industrial Motor Drives | Automotive Body Control Modules |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protection of H-bridge gate drivers and current-sense amplifiers against inductive kickback from 24 V solenoid loads. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional shunt TVS placed between driver output and ground to clamp negative transients. Use Value: Limits voltage excursion to ≤259 V during 1.2 A surges, preserving gate oxide integrity of 200 V-rated MOSFETs. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding LIN bus transceivers and microcontroller I/O pins from load-dump and jump-start transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated TVS on power input rail upstream of LDO regulators. Use Value: Withstands 400 W pulses without degradation, ensuring system uptime during ISO 16750-2 compliant 12 V vehicle tests. |
| Telecom Power Supplies | Industrial PLC Analog Inputs |
|
Use Scenario: Input-stage protection for 48 V DC-DC converters exposed to lightning-induced surges on PoE or AC/DC front-ends. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping device on bulk input rail, coordinated with upstream fuses and MOVs. Use Value: Fast response time and 259 V clamping prevent latch-up in synchronous rectifier controllers during 10/1000 μs events. |
Use Scenario: Overvoltage hardening of 4–20 mA current-loop receiver circuits interfacing with field sensors in factory automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Reverse-biased TVS across input terminals to divert ESD and cable-coupled transients. Use Value: 1.0 μA leakage at 160 V avoids measurement drift in precision 24-bit ADC front-ends with >100 MΩ input impedance. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ160A-M3/5A | Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant variant with identical electrical specs and SMA package | No functional difference; selected where halogen-free materials are mandated by OEM environmental policy | Direct drop-in replacement for SMAJ160A-E3/5A in halogen-free BOMs; same thermal and clamping performance |
| SMAJ170A-E3/5A | Higher 170 V VWM, 189–209 V VBR, 275 V VC at 1.09 A; otherwise identical construction | Used where higher standoff is needed to accommodate wider supply tolerances (e.g., ±15 % on 144 V nominal rail) | Select when system nominal voltage exceeds 160 V but clamping margin must remain ≥100 V above VWM |
Compared with SMAJ160A-E3/5A, the M3 variant offers identical protection performance with halogen-free compliance, while the SMAJ170A-E3/5A trades 10 V higher standoff for slightly reduced surge current handling - enabling precise tailoring to rail voltage tolerance and clamping margin requirements.
Availability
SMAJ160A-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, automotive body control modules, telecom power supplies, and PLC analog inputs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for SMAJ160A-E3/5A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Vishay General Semiconductor is a global leader in discrete semiconductors, specializing in diodes, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and passive components with emphasis on reliability and application-specific performance.
The SMAJ series is engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where robustness against ESD, lightning, and inductive switching is mission-critical.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ160A-E3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMAJ160A-E3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 259 V when subjected to its specified peak pulse current of 1.2 A under a 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per IEC 61000-4-5 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during transient events. The SMAJ160A-E3/5A maintains this clamping performance consistently across its operating temperature range.
Is SMAJ160A-E3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
SMAJ160A-E3/5A itself is commercial-grade, but Vishay offers AEC-Q101 qualified versions under the HE3 and HM3 suffixes (e.g., SMAJ160AHE3_A/I). These variants undergo stress testing per automotive reliability standards and are approved for use in body control modules, power distribution units, and other non-safety-critical automotive subsystems. The SMAJ160A-E3/5A shares identical electrical characteristics and package dimensions with those qualified parts.
What does the "E3/5A" suffix indicate in SMAJ160A-E3/5A?
The "E3" denotes RoHS-compliant, commercial-grade construction with matte tin-plated leads, while "/5A" specifies packaging in 13-inch diameter plastic tape and reel containing 7500 units. This format supports high-volume automated pick-and-place assembly. The SMAJ160A-E3/5A is not halogen-free; for that specification, the M3/5A variant is available.
How does SMAJ160A-E3/5A compare to SMAJ150A-E3/5A in terms of voltage ratings?
SMAJ160A-E3/5A has a 160 V standoff voltage (VWM) and 178–197 V breakdown range, whereas SMAJ150A-E3/5A is rated for 150 V VWM and 167–185 V VBR. Both share identical 400 W PPPM, 120 °C/W RθJA, and SMA package. The SMAJ160A-E3/5A is selected when system nominal voltage requires tighter margin above 150 V, such as in 160 V intermediate bus architectures.
Can SMAJ160A-E3/5A be used in bidirectional configurations?
No - SMAJ160A-E3/5A is a unidirectional TVS diode, indicated by the "A" suffix and cathode band marking. For bidirectional protection, Vishay offers the SMAJ160CA series (e.g., SMAJ160CA-E3/5A), which provides symmetrical clamping in both polarities and no polarity marking. Using SMAJ160A-E3/5A in reverse-biased AC applications would result in forward conduction and failure.
SMAJ160A-E3/5A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 160V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 178V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 259V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 1.2A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 300W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMAJ160A-E3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ160A-E3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ160A-E3/5A on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for SMAJ160A-E3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ160A-E3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ160A-E3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ160A-E3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ160A-E3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ160A-E3/5A?
SMAJ160A-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ160A-E3/5A order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for SMAJ160A-E3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ160A-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ160A-E3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ160A-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ160A-E3/5A products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that SMAJ160A-E3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ160A-E3/5A?
All SMAJ160A-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ160A-E3/5A, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The SMAJ160A-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ160A-E3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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