Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ160CA-E3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ160CA-E3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ160CA-E3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 160VWM 259VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMAJ160CA-E3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features a 160 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 259 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 1.2 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs waveform), protecting MOSFETs and ICs in industrial power supplies and automotive sensor interfaces.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A datasheet, SMAJ160CA-E3/5A pinout, SMAJ160CA-E3/5A application, or SMAJ160CA-E3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, 160 V reverse stand-off rating, low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility, and compatibility with automated SMT assembly on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamping protection element across bidirectional signal or DC bus lines, responding to transient overvoltages within picoseconds. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown behavior, while the SMA package supports high thermal dissipation (RθJA = 120 °C/W) and meets MSL Level 1 reflow requirements (260 °C peak).
The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A exhibits symmetric breakdown characteristics in both directions (VBR(min) = 178 V, VBR(max) = 197 V at IT = 1 mA), with a temperature coefficient of +0.108 %/°C and maximum junction temperature of +150 °C - enabling reliable operation in under-hood automotive and industrial environments.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 160 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping initiates |
| VC @ IPPM | 259 V at 1.2 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs surge, limiting stress on downstream components |
| IPPM | 1.2 A - Peak surge current capability under standard 10/1000 μs waveform |
| PPPM | 400 W - Peak pulse power handling capacity, derated to 300 W above 78 V |
| ID @ VWM | <1.0 μA - Ultra-low reverse leakage ensures minimal standby power loss |
| TJmax | +150 °C - Enables use in high-temperature environments including engine control units |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - Standardized surface-mount outline compatible with JEDEC MS-013, footprint area 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads; polarity unmarked for bidirectional types per Vishay specification.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode / Cathode (symmetrical) | Bidirectional terminal pair | No polarity marking required; terminals interchangeable for AC or DC line protection |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Enables robust protection against IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surges without derating in standard PCB layouts |
| Glass passivated chip junction | Ensures long-term stability of breakdown voltage and low parameter drift over temperature and life cycle |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C peak reflow | Supports single-pass lead-free reflow without popcorn effect or delamination risk |
| AEC-Q101 qualification option | Base P/NHE3 suffix enables automotive-grade sourcing with traceable lot control and extended reliability testing |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast-rising transients, improving protection margin for sensitive gate drivers |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Interface Protection | Industrial DC Power Bus Clamping |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN transceivers and analog sensor inputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamping element placed across differential signal pairs or supply rails upstream of interface ICs. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤259 V during 10/1000 μs surges, preserving signal integrity and preventing latch-up in 3.3 V/5 V sensor front-ends. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 12 V/24 V industrial PLC I/O modules and motor drive logic supplies against switching transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated TVS connected between VCC and GND to absorb inductive kickback from relay coils and solenoids. Use Value: Maintains system uptime by clamping 400 W surges without degradation, validated for >1000 surge events at rated conditions. |
| Telecom Line Surge Suppression | Consumer Power Adapter Input Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Secondary-side protection on PoE-powered Ethernet ports and base station RF module power feeds. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional shunt device across isolated DC outputs to suppress induced lightning surges and EFT bursts. Use Value: Achieves <1.0 μA leakage at 160 V, minimizing standby current draw while meeting GR-1089-CORE Level 3 surge immunity. |
Use Scenario: Input-stage transient suppression in universal-input AC/DC adapters for smart home devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary-side clamping component placed after bridge rectifier to limit surge propagation into switching controller. Use Value: Withstands repeated 160 V stand-off and 259 V clamping, supporting UL 62368-1 compliance for abnormal overvoltage conditions. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ160A-E3/5A | Unidirectional variant with cathode band marking; identical VWM, VC, and PPPM | Requires polarity-aware layout; unsuitable for AC-coupled or floating signal lines | Select when protecting DC rails where polarity is fixed and lower cost is prioritized |
| SMBJ160CA-E3/52 | Same VWM and VC, but SMB package (DO-214AA); 600 W PPPM, higher IPPM (1.8 A) | Larger footprint (5.3 mm × 4.1 mm vs. SMA's 4.5 mm × 2.8 mm); better thermal performance | Choose when higher surge margin or improved thermal dissipation is required despite larger board area |
Compared with SMAJ160A-E3/5A, the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A enables polarity-agnostic placement on bidirectional lines, while SMBJ160CA-E3/52 offers greater surge headroom at the cost of increased PCB real estate - making SMAJ160CA-E3/5A optimal for space-constrained, floating-node protection in automotive and telecom designs.
Availability
SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, automotive body control modules, telecom power supplies, and consumer adapter designs requiring stable component supply with full RoHS compliance and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for SMAJ160CA-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 systems where consistent clamping behavior and AEC-Q101 readiness are critical design requirements.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A under standard test conditions?
The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 259 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 1.2 A using the 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured at TA = 25 °C on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.
Is the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
Yes - the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is offered in AEC-Q101 qualified variants (e.g., SMAJ160CAHE3_A/I), with full qualification testing including HTOL, TC, and UHAST. While the base SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is commercial grade, its construction (glass-passivated junction, MSL Level 1, 150 °C TJ(max)) aligns with automotive environmental demands. The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is widely deployed in body electronics and sensor modules where qualification is managed at the system level.
How does the bidirectional configuration of the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A affect PCB layout?
The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A has no polarity marking and symmetrical electrical characteristics in both directions, eliminating orientation constraints during placement. This simplifies automated assembly and allows use across AC-coupled lines, differential buses, or floating grounds without concern for anode/cathode alignment. The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A's DO-214AC footprint remains identical to unidirectional versions, enabling layout reuse where bidirectional protection is added post-design.
What is the thermal resistance profile of the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A?
The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on minimum recommended pad layout (0.2" × 0.2" copper), and 30 °C/W junction-to-lead (RθJL). These values enable reliable operation at full 3.3 W steady-state power dissipation up to +50 °C ambient, provided adequate copper area is used. The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A's thermal performance supports continuous operation in enclosed industrial enclosures.
Does the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A meet RoHS and halogen-free requirements?
Yes - the "E3" suffix denotes RoHS-compliant, commercial-grade construction with matte tin-plated leads and UL 94 V-0 molding compound. The SMAJ160CA-E3/5A contains no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE, and complies with EU Directive 2011/65/EU. Halogen-free variants (HM3 suffix) are also available, though the SMAJ160CA-E3/5A itself meets standard RoHS without halogen restrictions.
SMAJ160CA-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:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- 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)
SMAJ160CA-E3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ160CA-E3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ160CA-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 SMAJ160CA-E3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ160CA-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 SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ160CA-E3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ160CA-E3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ160CA-E3/5A?
SMAJ160CA-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ160CA-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 SMAJ160CA-E3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ160CA-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ160CA-E3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ160CA-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ160CA-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 SMAJ160CA-E3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ160CA-E3/5A?
All SMAJ160CA-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ160CA-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 SMAJ160CA-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ160CA-E3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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