Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ160CAHM3/H
- Part No.:
- SMAJ160CAHM3/H
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ160CAHM3/H.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 160VWM 259VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,326
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Product details
Overview
SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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, 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 SMAJ160CAHM3/H datasheet, SMAJ160CAHM3/H pinout, SMAJ160CAHM3/H application, or SMAJ160CAHM3/H equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping symmetry, AEC-Q101 qualification status, MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity, halogen-free RoHS compliance, and thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W) under standard PCB pad layout.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: during transients exceeding VWM (160 V), it avalanches symmetrically in both directions to clamp voltage at ≤259 V while diverting surge current away from downstream circuitry. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics and low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM).
Rated for repetitive 10/1000 μs surges at 0.01% duty cycle (400 W up to 78 V; 300 W above), it delivers fast response time (<1.0 ps), low incremental surge resistance, and meets UL 497B recognition for telecom and industrial protectors. Polarity-unmarked due to bidirectional construction.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 160 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping initiates; defines safe DC/AC working margin. |
| VBR min/max | 178 V / 197 V at 1 mA - Confirmed breakdown range ensuring reliable turn-on without premature conduction. |
| VC @ IPPM | 259 V at 1.2 A - Clamped voltage during full-rated surge; determines protected circuit's maximum stress level. |
| PPPM | 400 W (≤78 V), 300 W (>78 V) - Peak transient energy handling capability per 10/1000 μs waveform. |
| ID @ VWM | ≤1.0 μA - Ultra-low reverse leakage preserves signal integrity and minimizes standby power loss. |
| TJ max | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature enabling operation in under-hood automotive environments. |
| RθJA | 120 °C/W - Thermal resistance from junction to ambient on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads; guides heatsinking needs. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak reflow). Matte tin-plated leads, solderable per J-STD-002/JESD 22-B102. No polarity marking - bidirectional symmetry confirmed.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Transient current entry (reverse bias) | One terminal of symmetrical PN junction; accepts surge from either polarity relative to cathode. |
| Cathode | Transient current exit (reverse bias) | Second terminal of symmetrical PN junction; completes low-impedance path to ground or return rail during clamping. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD testing per stress test plan. |
| Bidirectional clamping | Identical VBR and VC performance in both directions eliminates need for polarity-aware placement or external diodes. |
| 400 W peak pulse power | Handles IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surges (4 kV line-earth) on 50 Ω source impedance without degradation. |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.45) | Minimizes overvoltage overshoot during fast transients, protecting 160 V-rated MOSFETs and gate drivers. |
| MSL Level 1 rating | Enables standard SMT reflow without baking; compatible with high-volume automated assembly lines. |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial Sensor Signal Line Guarding |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V supply inputs in engine control units (ECUs) against load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt-type transient suppressor placed between power rail and chassis ground. Use Value: Clamps 120 V load dump spikes to ≤259 V within nanoseconds, preventing damage to MCU power management ICs. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog output lines (e.g., 4–20 mA current loops) in factory-floor pressure/temperature sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp on differential signal pair exposed to ESD and cable discharge events. Use Value: Maintains signal fidelity with <1.0 μA leakage at 160 V, while suppressing ±8 kV contact ESD per IEC 61000-4-2. |
| Telecom Interface Surge Suppression | Consumer Appliance Motor Drive Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Front-end protection of RS-485 transceivers in base station backhaul modules subjected to lightning-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping element across data line and common-mode reference (GND or VCC). Use Value: Symmetric clamping ensures equal protection for both A and B lines without polarity dependency or added components. |
Use Scenario: Snubbing inductive kickback from brushed DC motors in smart home appliances (e.g., washing machine drum drives). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS across motor terminals to absorb flyback energy during PWM switching. Use Value: Withstands 40 A non-repetitive forward surge (IFSM), preventing MOSFET failure during stall or startup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ160CAHE3/H | RoHS-compliant but not halogen-free; same electrical specs and AEC-Q101 qualification. | Acceptable where halogen-free requirement is waived (e.g., non-automotive industrial designs). | Select SMAJ160CAHE3/H if halogen content is not regulated in target market or end-equipment standard. |
| SMAJ160A-HM3/H | Unidirectional variant (cathode-banded); identical VWM, VBR, VC, and PPPM ratings. | Requires polarity-aware layout; suitable only where system ground reference is fixed and surge direction is known. | Choose SMAJ160A-HM3/H only when circuit topology guarantees unidirectional surge paths and space constraints favor single-diode solution. |
Compared with SMAJ160CAHM3/H, SMAJ160CAHE3/H offers identical protection performance without halogen-free assurance, while SMAJ160A-HM3/H trades bidirectional flexibility for simpler unidirectional implementation - neither is pin-compatible due to polarity marking and functional asymmetry.
Availability
SMAJ160CAHM3/H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU design, industrial sensor interface development, and telecom infrastructure projects requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term availability and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.
The SMAJ series targets high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments - engineered for automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where robustness, AEC-Q101 validation, and repeatable clamping performance are mandatory.
FAQ
What does the 'HM3' suffix indicate in SMAJ160CAHM3/H?
The 'HM3' suffix in SMAJ160CAHM3/H denotes halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with AEC-Q101 qualification. It confirms compliance with JEDEC JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance, MSL Level 1 reflow capability (260 °C peak), and UL 497B recognition - critical for automotive and high-reliability industrial use cases where material content and process stability are strictly controlled.
Is SMAJ160CAHM3/H suitable for protecting 160 V DC bus lines?
Yes, SMAJ160CAHM3/H is specifically rated for 160 V stand-off voltage (VWM), making it appropriate for continuous operation on 160 V DC bus lines. Its 178–197 V breakdown range ensures reliable clamping onset above nominal voltage, while ≤1.0 μA leakage at VWM prevents excessive power dissipation or signal distortion in steady-state conditions.
How does SMAJ160CAHM3/H differ from unidirectional SMAJ160A-HM3/H?
SMAJ160CAHM3/H is bidirectional with no polarity marking and symmetrical clamping in both directions, whereas SMAJ160A-HM3/H is unidirectional with cathode banding and only clamps reverse-biased surges. This makes SMAJ160CAHM3/H ideal for AC-coupled or floating signal lines, while SMAJ160A-HM3/H suits fixed-polarity DC rails where surge direction is predictable.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of SMAJ160CAHM3/H under surge conditions?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) of SMAJ160CAHM3/H is 259 V at 1.2 A peak pulse current (IPPM) with a 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 standards and represents the upper limit of voltage seen by protected circuitry during worst-case transient events - essential for verifying margin against downstream component voltage ratings.
Does SMAJ160CAHM3/H require a heatsink for standard operation?
No external heatsink is required for SMAJ160CAHM3/H under typical surge conditions, as its thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W) is specified for mounting on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads per terminal. Continuous power dissipation is limited to 3.3 W, and transient energy is handled capacitively; sustained high-frequency surges may necessitate enhanced PCB copper area but not discrete heatsinking.
SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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:
- 400W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- Telecom
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMAJ160CAHM3/H FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ160CAHM3/H through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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 SMAJ160CAHM3/H reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ160CAHM3/H are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ160CAHM3/H is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ160CAHM3/H?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ160CAHM3/H transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ160CAHM3/H?
SMAJ160CAHM3/H orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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 SMAJ160CAHM3/H?
For technical support, including SMAJ160CAHM3/H datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ160CAHM3/H requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ160CAHM3/H is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ160CAHM3/H 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 SMAJ160CAHM3/H meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ160CAHM3/H?
All SMAJ160CAHM3/H units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ160CAHM3/H, 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 SMAJ160CAHM3/H part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ160CAHM3/H:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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