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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ188CA-M3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ188CA-M3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 188VWM 328VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:6,705
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Product details
Overview
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for robust overvoltage protection of sensitive electronics. It features a 188 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 209–231 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 328 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 0.91 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs waveform), deployed in automotive power line and industrial sensor interface protection.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ188CA-M3/5A datasheet, SMAJ188CA-M3/5A pinout, SMAJ188CA-M3/5A application, or SMAJ188CA-M3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping behavior, AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility (via HM3 suffix), UL 497B recognition, MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity, and DO-214AC (SMA) surface-mount compatibility with automated placement.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: under normal conditions it presents high impedance (>1 μA leakage at 188 V), but triggers into low-impedance conduction when transients exceed VBR, limiting downstream voltage to ≤328 V. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable avalanche characteristics and fast response (<1 ns).
The device is rated for repetitive 10/1000 μs surge pulses up to 400 W below 78 V and 300 W above 78 V, with thermal resistance RθJA = 120 °C/W on standard 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads. It supports operating junction temperatures from –55 °C to +150 °C and meets JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 188 V - Maximum continuous reverse working voltage before leakage exceeds 1 μA; defines safe operating ceiling for protected circuit. |
| VBR (min/max) | 209 V / 231 V at 1 mA - Verified avalanche onset range; ensures predictable triggering across process variation and temperature. |
| VC @ IPPM | 328 V at 0.91 A - Clamped voltage during full-rated 10/1000 μs surge; determines maximum stress seen by downstream ICs or MOSFETs. |
| PPPM | 400 W (≤78 V), 300 W (>78 V) - Peak pulse power handling per JEDEC standard waveform; defines transient energy absorption capacity. |
| IFSM | 40 A - Non-repetitive forward surge current rating (8.3 ms half-sine); relevant for unidirectional variants only; not applicable to SMAJ188CA. |
| TJ max | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables use in under-hood automotive or high-ambient industrial environments. |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - Standardized surface-mount outline with 5.28 mm × 4.50 mm footprint and 2.29 mm height; compatible with IPC-7351B land patterns. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads, MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020, LF peak soldering temperature 260 °C.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cathode (Anode) | Bidirectional terminal pair | No polarity marking; symmetric terminals enable identical clamping in both directions - critical for AC signal line or differential bus protection. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC-coupled lines (e.g., RS-485, CAN, Ethernet PHY) without external polarity constraints. |
| UL 497B Recognition (QVGQ2) | Validated for telecom and industrial surge protection per Underwriters Laboratories standards - reduces system-level certification effort. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant (M3 suffix) | Meets environmental compliance requirements for global OEMs without compromising surge performance or thermal reliability. |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast-rising transients (e.g., ESD, lightning-induced surges), improving protection margin for 3.3 V/5 V logic. |
| AEC-Q101 qualification path | HM3 variant available - supports automotive power distribution modules, body control units, and ADAS sensor interfaces requiring automotive-grade reliability. |
Applications
| Automotive Power Line Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V supply rails in vehicle ECUs against load dump (ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a) and alternator transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt clamping element placed upstream of DC-DC converters and microcontrollers to limit rail voltage to ≤328 V. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to downstream PMICs and MCUs during 100 V+ transients with sub-ns response. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog outputs (4–20 mA) and digital I/O (RS-485) of PLC analog modules exposed to field wiring surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp across signal pairs or supply-to-ground, absorbing induced lightning surges. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity and prevents false triggering in harsh factory environments with >1 kV common-mode transients. |
| Telecom Line Interface Protection | Consumer Appliance Motor Drive Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Shielding Ethernet PHYs and DSL line drivers from induced surges on outdoor cabling per ITU-T K.21 basic protection level. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary protection device at connector entry point, coordinated with secondary GDT or polymer PTC. Use Value: Achieves <100 ps response and <330 V clamping to meet IEC 61000-4-5 4 kV surge immunity without degrading signal bandwidth. |
Use Scenario: Suppressing inductive kickback from brushed DC motors in washing machines and HVAC blowers connected to MCU GPIOs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS across motor terminals or H-bridge outputs to clamp flyback spikes. Use Value: Eliminates need for snubber RC networks while sustaining 400 W surge energy - reducing BOM count and board space. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ188CA-E3/5A | RoHS-compliant commercial grade; no halogen-free assurance; same electrical specs and package. | Preferred for non-automotive industrial or consumer applications where halogen content is unrestricted. | Select E3 when cost optimization is prioritized and halogen-free compliance is not required by end-customer specification. |
| SMAJ188CAHM3_A/I | AEC-Q101 qualified; halogen-free; identical VWM/VC/PPPM; same DO-214AC package; 13" reel (7500 pcs). | Required for automotive Tier 1 suppliers needing PPAP documentation and automotive-grade reliability validation. | Choose HM3_A/I for automotive production programs demanding AEC-Q101 traceability and extended temperature validation. |
Compared with SMAJ188CA-M3/5A, the E3 variant offers identical protection performance at lower cost for non-automotive use, while the HM3_A/I adds AEC-Q101 qualification and larger reel packaging - enabling direct substitution in automotive designs without layout changes but requiring updated qualification records.
Availability
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power line protection, industrial sensor interface hardening, telecom line surge suppression, and consumer appliance motor drive circuits requiring stable component supply and halogen-free compliance.
Supply support for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A 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 high-reliability, automotive-qualified, and industry-standard solutions.
The SMAJ series delivers standardized transient voltage suppression in surface-mount packages for broad industrial, automotive, and telecom applications - engineered for repeatable clamping, low leakage, and automated assembly compatibility.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ188CA-M3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMAJ188CA-M3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 328 V at its specified peak pulse current (IPPM) of 0.91 A, measured under the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during a full-rated transient event and is confirmed in Vishay's datasheet Document Number 88390, page 2.
Is SMAJ188CA-M3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A itself is not AEC-Q101 qualified, but it shares identical electrical and mechanical specifications with the AEC-Q101-qualified variant SMAJ188CAHM3_A/I. The M3 suffix confirms halogen-free and RoHS compliance, making SMAJ188CA-M3/5A suitable for automotive prototype and non-qualification-critical subsystems where full AEC-Q101 documentation is not mandated.
What does the "CA" suffix indicate in SMAJ188CA-M3/5A?
The "CA" suffix in SMAJ188CA-M3/5A denotes a bidirectional configuration - meaning the device provides symmetrical transient voltage suppression in both polarities, with matched breakdown and clamping characteristics in either direction. This eliminates the need for polarity-aware placement and supports AC signal line or differential bus protection without external circuitry.
What is the maximum operating temperature for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A?
The SMAJ188CA-M3/5A has a maximum operating junction temperature (TJ) of +150 °C and a storage temperature range of –55 °C to +150 °C. This rating allows reliable operation in under-hood automotive environments, industrial motor drives, and other high-ambient applications where thermal management is constrained.
Does SMAJ188CA-M3/5A have UL recognition?
Yes, SMAJ188CA-M3/5A carries UL 497B recognition under file number E136766 for both unidirectional and bidirectional configurations. This certification validates its suitability for primary and secondary surge protection in telecom, industrial, and consumer equipment meeting UL safety requirements.
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A 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-M3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A 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-M3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ188CA-M3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A?
SMAJ188CA-M3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ188CA-M3/5A 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-M3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ188CA-M3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ188CA-M3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ188CA-M3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ188CA-M3/5A 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-M3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ188CA-M3/5A?
All SMAJ188CA-M3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ188CA-M3/5A, 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-M3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ188CA-M3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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