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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ160CAHE3/5A

Part No.:
SMAJ160CAHE3/5A
Manufacturer:
Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
Category:
TVS Diodes
Package:
DO-214AC, SMA
Datasheet:
AetrixSMAJ160CAHE3/5A.pdf
Description:
TVS DIODE 160VWM 259VC DO214AC
Quantity:
Payment:
Payment
Shipping:
Shipping

Inventory:4,256

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Product details

Overview

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for robust overvoltage protection of sensitive electronics. It features a 160 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 178–197 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 259 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 1.2 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - deployed on power rails and signal lines in automotive ECUs and industrial sensor interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the SMAJ160CAHE3/5A datasheet, SMAJ160CAHE3/5A pinout, SMAJ160CAHE3/5A application, or SMAJ160CAHE3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping symmetry, AEC-Q101 qualification, low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W), and compatibility with automated SMT placement on standard PCB pad layouts.

Technical Context

This bidirectional TVS operates symmetrically across both polarities, delivering identical clamping behavior during positive and negative transients - critical for protecting AC-coupled or floating signal paths. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics and low incremental surge resistance under repetitive surge stress.

The device is rated for 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) up to 78 V, derating to 300 W above that threshold; it sustains 40 A non-repetitive forward surge (IFSM, 8.3 ms half-sine) and operates from –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature, meeting MSL Level 1 reflow requirements (260 °C peak).

Key Specifications

Parameter Value and Actual Design Meaning
VWM 160 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping initiates; defines safe operating margin for 12 V–48 V DC systems with transient headroom.
VBR (min/max) 178 V / 197 V at 1 mA - verified breakdown range ensures predictable turn-on timing and consistent protection threshold across production lots.
VC @ IPPM 259 V at 1.2 A - clamping voltage under standardized 10/1000 μs surge; determines maximum stress imposed on downstream ICs during ESD/EFT events.
PPPM 400 W (≤78 V), 300 W (>78 V) - peak pulse power handling capability with defined waveform; enables protection against IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 surges (1 kV/2 Ω).
ID @ VWM <1.0 μA - ultra-low reverse leakage preserves signal integrity and minimizes standby power loss in high-impedance sensor or communication lines.
TJ max. +150 °C - extended junction temperature rating supports operation in under-hood automotive environments and enclosed industrial enclosures.
RθJA 120 °C/W - thermal resistance from junction to ambient on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads; informs heatsinking requirements for sustained surge duty cycles.

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, bidirectional configuration with no polarity marking - terminals are symmetrical anode/cathode pair.

Pin/Terminal Circuit Role Design Meaning
Anode (Terminal 1) Transient current entry path (negative polarity) Accepts reverse surge current during negative transients; forms one side of symmetrical clamping path.
Cathode (Terminal 2) Transient current entry path (positive polarity) Accepts reverse surge current during positive transients; completes bidirectional clamping loop with Terminal 1.

Key Features

Feature Design Value
AEC-Q101 qualified Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and surge endurance - required for engine control, ADAS, and body electronics.
400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) Withstands IEC 61000-4-5 combination wave surges up to 1 kV open-circuit / 0.5 kA short-circuit without degradation.
Glass passivated junction Ensures stable VBR over lifetime and immunity to moisture-induced parameter drift - critical for long-life industrial deployments.
MSL Level 1 (260 °C) Compatible with standard lead-free reflow profiles without pre-baking; supports high-yield automated assembly in volume manufacturing.
Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.46) Minimizes overvoltage overshoot during fast transients - protects 150 V-rated MOSFETs and isolated gate drivers in motor drives.

Applications

Automotive Power Rail Protection Industrial Sensor Signal Line Protection

Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V battery-fed microcontroller power inputs in vehicle body control modules against load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional shunt clamp absorbing >100 V transients within nanoseconds while maintaining <1.0 μA leakage at nominal rail voltage.

Use Value: Prevents MCU brown-out or latch-up during alternator load dump events (up to 60 V, 400 ms), enabling ASIL-B compliant system resilience.

Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog outputs (4–20 mA, 0–10 V) of pressure/temperature transmitters connected to PLC analog input cards.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response voltage limiter placed directly at connector interface to divert induced lightning surges before reaching precision ADC front-end.

Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤259 V during 1 kV/500 A IEC 61000-4-5 surges, preserving ±0.1% measurement accuracy and avoiding field-replacement downtime.

Telecom Ethernet PHY Port Protection Consumer Appliance Motor Drive Gate Protection

Use Scenario: Shielding 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet PHY differential pairs (MDI) from ESD and cable discharge events in networked home appliances.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance bidirectional TVS placed across each twisted pair to clamp ±8 kV contact ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) without distorting 100 MHz signaling.

Use Value: Maintains signal integrity with <15 pF junction capacitance at 0 V, preventing bit errors while surviving >1000 ESD strikes per pin.

Use Scenario: Guarding high-side and low-side gate drive signals (e.g., to N-channel MOSFETs in BLDC inverters) against Miller-induced voltage spikes in washing machine motor controllers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Localized clamping element mounted adjacent to gate driver IC output pins to suppress dv/dt-induced ringing exceeding 200 V.

Use Value: Reduces gate oxide stress by limiting transient overshoot to 259 V, extending MOSFET lifetime and eliminating false turn-on failures in 20,000-cycle appliance life tests.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.

Alternative Part Technical Difference Application Difference Selection Advice
SMAJ160CA-M3/5A Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant variant; identical electrical specs and AEC-Q101 qualification; same SMA package and pinout. No functional difference; selected when halogen-free compliance is mandated by OEM environmental policy (e.g., EU auto Tier 1s). Direct drop-in replacement where halogen-free materials are contractually required - no layout or validation changes needed.
SMBJ160CAHE3/5A Same VWM/VBR/VC ratings but in larger SMB (DO-214AA) package; higher 600 W PPPM rating; RθJA = 85 °C/W vs. 120 °C/W. Better thermal performance and surge margin; requires larger PCB footprint (4.6 mm × 3.9 mm vs. 4.3 mm × 2.6 mm) and different pad layout. Preferred for high-duty-cycle industrial surge environments; choose SMAJ160CAHE3/5A only when space-constrained SMT placement is mandatory.

Compared with SMAJ160CA-M3/5A, the HE3 suffix confirms AEC-Q101 qualification and RoHS compliance without halogen restriction; versus SMBJ160CAHE3/5A, SMAJ160CAHE3/5A trades 200 W pulse power headroom for 30% smaller board area - optimal for compact automotive modules and portable industrial sensors.

Availability

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECUs, industrial sensor interfaces, telecom PHY ports, and consumer appliance motor drives requiring stable component supply with full traceability and lifecycle management.

Supply support for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A 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, rectifiers, TVS devices, and optoelectronics with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.

The SMAJ series delivers surface-mount transient suppression for harsh environments - engineered for automotive, industrial, and telecom applications demanding AEC-Q101 qualification, low leakage, and repeatable clamping performance.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ160CAHE3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?

The SMAJ160CAHE3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 259 V at 1.2 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events - critical for ensuring downstream components like 300 V MOSFETs remain within safe operating area.

Is SMAJ160CAHE3/5A suitable for automotive applications?

Yes, SMAJ160CAHE3/5A is AEC-Q101 qualified and explicitly designated for automotive use with the "HE3" suffix. It meets requirements for temperature cycling, high-temperature reverse bias, and surge endurance - validated for deployment in engine control units, body electronics, and ADAS sensor modules where reliability under vibration, thermal stress, and load dump is mandatory.

How does the bidirectional design of SMAJ160CAHE3/5A affect its circuit implementation?

The bidirectional design of SMAJ160CAHE3/5A means it functions identically for positive and negative transients - no polarity marking is present, and both terminals serve as symmetrical anode/cathode paths. This simplifies layout on AC-coupled lines, differential buses (e.g., RS-485, CAN), or floating sensor outputs where voltage polarity reversal is possible during faults or ESD events.

What is the maximum reverse leakage current specified for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A at its stand-off voltage?

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A specifies a maximum reverse leakage current (ID) of 1.0 μA at its 160 V stand-off voltage (VWM) and 25 °C ambient temperature. This ultra-low leakage preserves signal fidelity in high-impedance circuits such as precision sensor bridges or battery-monitoring inputs, and avoids unnecessary power drain in always-on automotive subsystems.

Does SMAJ160CAHE3/5A require special PCB layout considerations compared to unidirectional TVS diodes?

No special polarity-aware layout is needed for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A due to its bidirectional symmetry, but standard TVS best practices apply: minimize trace inductance by placing it directly across the protected line and ground, use dedicated thermal pads (0.2" × 0.2" copper per terminal), and avoid routing sensitive traces near its terminals. Its SMA (DO-214AC) footprint matches industry-standard land patterns for automated placement.

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A Specifications

Product attributes
Attribute value
Manufacturer:
Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
Package/Case:
DO-214AC, SMA
Series:
TransZorb®
Packaging:
Tape & Reel (TR)
Product Status:
Discontinued at Digi-Key
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:
-
Capacitance @ Frequency:
-
Operating Temperature:
-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
Grade:
Automotive
Qualification:
AEC-Q101
Mounting Type:
Surface Mount
Supplier Device Package:
DO-214AC (SMA)

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A 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 SMAJ160CAHE3/5A reliable?

The price and inventory of SMAJ160CAHE3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A?

SMAJ160CAHE3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SMAJ160CAHE3/5A 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 SMAJ160CAHE3/5A?

For technical support, including SMAJ160CAHE3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ160CAHE3/5A requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ160CAHE3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SMAJ160CAHE3/5A 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 SMAJ160CAHE3/5A meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ160CAHE3/5A?

All SMAJ160CAHE3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ160CAHE3/5A, 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 SMAJ160CAHE3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SMAJ160CAHE3/5A:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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