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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ188CA-E3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ188CA-E3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 188VWM 328VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,458
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Product details
Overview
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A 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 188 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 209–231 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 328 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and clamps transients to ≤328 V at rated surge, protecting signal lines and power rails in automotive and industrial systems.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ188CA-E3/5A datasheet, SMAJ188CA-E3/5A pinout, SMAJ188CA-E3/5A application, or SMAJ188CA-E3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility, low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), and compatibility with automated SMT assembly on standard PCB pad layouts.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector, responding within <1 ps to fast-rising transients induced by inductive switching or ESD. Its bidirectional symmetry ensures identical clamping behavior in both polarities, eliminating polarity sensitivity in AC-coupled or differential signal paths.
The device uses a glass-passivated silicon junction optimized for low incremental surge resistance (rd) and stable thermal performance up to 150 °C junction temperature. Its MSL Level 1 rating and matte tin-plated leads support lead-free reflow soldering per J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 188 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe working margin for 180–190 V DC or AC peak systems. |
| VBR (min/max) | 209 V / 231 V at 1 mA - Confirmed breakdown threshold range; ensures reliable turn-on above system operating voltage with margin against false triggering. |
| VC @ IPPM | 328 V - Clamped voltage during 400 W (10/1000 μs) surge; determines maximum stress imposed on downstream ICs or MOSFETs during transient events. |
| IPPM | 328 A - Peak surge current handling capacity; supports high-energy transients common in 24 V/48 V industrial control and automotive power distribution. |
| PPPM | 400 W - Peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs); enables protection against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a and IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3/4 surges when properly mounted. |
| ID @ VWM | <1.0 μA - Reverse leakage at stand-off voltage; minimizes standby power loss and avoids interference in high-impedance sensor or reference circuits. |
| TJmax | 150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; allows operation in under-hood automotive environments and sealed industrial enclosures without derating below full power. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, low-profile case with matte tin-plated leads. No polarity marking on bidirectional variants - terminals are symmetrical and interchangeable.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry terminal in forward bias; common node for bidirectional conduction path | Connected to protected line (e.g., CAN_H or RS-485 A); forms symmetrical clamping path with cathode during either polarity surge. |
| Cathode | Current exit terminal in forward bias; common node for bidirectional conduction path | Connected to reference plane (e.g., ground or VCC); completes low-impedance shunt path during overvoltage events in either direction. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Identical VBR, VC, and IPPM in both directions - eliminates need for polarity-aware layout in AC, differential, or floating bus applications like CAN FD or RS-485. |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports high-energy transients per ISO 7637-2 and IEC 61000-4-5 without degradation - suitable for 12 V/24 V/48 V vehicle power networks and industrial PLC backplanes. |
| AEC-Q101 qualification option | HE3/HM3 suffix variants meet automotive reliability standards - enables drop-in use in ADAS camera modules, body control units, and infotainment power supplies. |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C peak reflow | Compatible with standard lead-free SMT processes without pre-baking - reduces manufacturing complexity and cost in high-volume consumer and industrial production. |
| Glass-passivated junction | Enhances long-term stability and moisture resistance - critical for field reliability in humid or thermally cycled environments such as outdoor telecom equipment. |
Applications
| Automotive Power Line Protection | Industrial RS-485 Bus Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V supply inputs in body control modules against load dump and alternator ripple. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt-type transient suppressor placed between power rail and chassis ground. Use Value: Limits clamped voltage to ≤328 V during 400 W surges, preventing damage to LDOs, microcontrollers, and CAN transceivers downstream. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding RS-485 transceiver I/O pins in factory automation controllers exposed to motor drive noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp across differential pair (A/B) referenced to signal ground. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity by clamping EFT bursts to <328 V while adding <0.5 pF capacitance - no data rate degradation at ≤10 Mbps. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Control | Telecom PoE Interface Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Suppressing inductive kickback from brushed DC motors in smart home appliances (e.g., HVAC blowers). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS across motor terminals or H-bridge outputs. Use Value: Absorbs 328 A surge currents without failure, enabling compliance with IEC 61000-4-4 EFT and reducing need for snubber RC networks. |
Use Scenario: Protecting Power over Ethernet (PoE) PSE/PD interface circuitry from lightning-induced surges on Ethernet cables. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamp on each data pair (pairs 1–2 and 3–6) referenced to common-mode ground. Use Value: Withstands 400 W line-to-line surges per IEEE 802.3bt requirements while maintaining <1 μA leakage at 57 V PoE voltage. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ188CA-M3/5A | Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant variant with identical electrical specs and SMA package. | No functional difference; selected where halogen-free material compliance is mandated (e.g., EU medical or public infrastructure projects). | Direct substitution if halogen-free bill-of-materials is required; same thermal and mechanical behavior. |
| SMBJ188CA-E3/5A | Same VWM/VBR/VC ratings but in SMB (DO-214AA) package - 27% larger footprint, 50% higher PPPM (600 W). | Used where higher surge energy handling (>400 W) or improved thermal dissipation is needed, e.g., main DC input stages. | Select when board space permits and surge immunity must exceed 400 W; not pin-compatible due to larger body and lead spacing. |
Compared with SMAJ188CA-E3/5A, the M3/5A variant offers identical protection performance with halogen-free construction, while SMBJ188CA-E3/5A provides higher surge capacity in a larger package - choice depends on material compliance requirements and available PCB area versus required energy rating.
Availability
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power line protection, industrial RS-485 bus protection, consumer appliance motor control, and telecom PoE interface protection requiring stable component supply and AEC-Q101-qualified alternatives.
Supply support for SMAJ188CA-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, rectifiers, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.
The SMAJ series is engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where robustness against ESD, EFT, and surge events is mission-critical.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ188CA-E3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMAJ188CA-E3/5A clamps to a maximum of 328 V when subjected to its rated 328 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 1 in Vishay document 88390 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during worst-case surge events. The clamping performance remains consistent across temperature and lifetime when operated within specified derating curves.
Is SMAJ188CA-E3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A itself is commercial-grade, but the identical electrical specification is available in AEC-Q101-qualified versions under ordering codes SMAJ188CAHE3_A/I or SMAJ188CAHM3_A/I. These HE3/HM3 variants undergo stress testing per AEC-Q101 and are approved for under-hood and chassis-mounted automotive systems. For non-automotive designs, SMAJ188CA-E3/5A delivers full spec compliance with enhanced manufacturability.
How does the bidirectional design of SMAJ188CA-E3/5A affect its PCB layout?
The SMAJ188CA-E3/5A has no polarity marking and symmetrical terminal behavior, so PCB layout requires no orientation alignment - either end may connect to the protected line or reference plane. This simplifies routing in differential interfaces (e.g., CAN, RS-485) and eliminates risk of reverse installation. Mounting follows standard SMA pad dimensions (0.208" × 0.157") per Vishay outline drawing.
What is the maximum allowable reverse leakage current for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A at 188 V?
At its 188 V stand-off voltage (VWM), the SMAJ188CA-E3/5A exhibits a maximum reverse leakage current (ID) of 1.0 μA at 25 °C, per Table on page 2 of Vishay document 88390. This ultra-low leakage ensures minimal impact on high-impedance sensor bias networks or precision voltage references, and remains <5 μA even at 125 °C per thermal derating curves.
Can SMAJ188CA-E3/5A be used in parallel to increase surge current handling?
No - SMAJ188CA-E3/5A is not recommended for parallel connection due to parameter spread in VBR (209–231 V) and dynamic impedance, which causes uneven current sharing and potential thermal runaway. For higher surge capacity, select a single device with higher rating (e.g., SMBJ188CA-E3/5A) or implement external current-sharing resistors with careful thermal design - both approaches require validation per IEC 61000-4-5 test conditions.
SMAJ188CA-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):
- 188V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 209V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 328V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 910mA
- 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)
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ188CA-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 SMAJ188CA-E3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ188CA-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 SMAJ188CA-E3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A?
SMAJ188CA-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ188CA-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 SMAJ188CA-E3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ188CA-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ188CA-E3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ188CA-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ188CA-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 SMAJ188CA-E3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ188CA-E3/5A?
All SMAJ188CA-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ188CA-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 SMAJ188CA-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ188CA-E3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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