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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ20CA-M3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ20CA-M3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ20CA-M3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 32.4VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
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Product details
Overview
SMAJ20CA-M3/5A 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 20 V standoff voltage (VWM), 22.2–24.5 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 32.4 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 12.3 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs waveform). It is widely used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor signal lines in industrial and automotive electronics against ESD and inductive switching surges.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ20CA-M3/5A datasheet, SMAJ20CA-M3/5A pinout, SMAJ20CA-M3/5A application, or SMAJ20CA-M3/5A equivalent, this device offers verified bidirectional clamping performance, halogen-free RoHS-compliant construction (M3 suffix), and AEC-Q101 qualification readiness - critical for board-level surge protection design, layout validation, and automotive-grade BOM selection.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: under normal conditions it presents high impedance (>1 MΩ leakage at 20 V), then rapidly avalanches below 25 V to divert transient energy away from downstream circuitry. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics and low incremental surge resistance (<1 Ω typical), enabling consistent clamping across repetitive 10/1000 μs pulses at 0.01% duty cycle.
The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A is optimized for surface-mount automated assembly and meets J-STD-020 MSL Level 1 (peak reflow 260 °C). Its bidirectional symmetry eliminates polarity concerns during placement, and its thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W) supports operation up to +150 °C junction temperature when mounted on standard 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM (Stand-off Voltage) | 20 V - Maximum continuous reverse voltage before significant leakage; defines operating margin before clamping begins. |
| VBR (Breakdown Voltage) | 22.2–24.5 V at 1 mA - Confirmed avalanche onset range; ensures reliable triggering above system nominal voltage. |
| VC (Clamping Voltage) | 32.4 V at 12.3 A (10/1000 μs) - Peak voltage seen by protected circuit during worst-case surge; determines safe margin for 24 V systems. |
| PPPM (Peak Pulse Power) | 400 W - Sustained transient energy handling capability; sufficient for IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 kV/2 Ω) surges. |
| IPPM (Peak Pulse Current) | 12.3 A - Maximum surge current diverted without failure; enables robust protection of 24 V DC bus lines. |
| TJ max. | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature rating; supports use in under-hood automotive and industrial enclosures. |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - Standardized 2-pin surface-mount outline with 5.28 mm length, 4.50 mm width, and 2.29 mm height; compatible with IPC-7351B footprint. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, bidirectional configuration with no polarity marking. Cathode/anode terminals are symmetrical; both leads serve as interchangeable surge-current paths.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Surge current entry (bidirectional) | Accepts transient current from either direction; connects to line being protected (e.g., CAN_H or 24 V rail). |
| Cathode | Surge current exit (bidirectional) | Completes shunt path to ground or return rail; electrically identical to Anode in CA-type devices. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC-coupled or differential signal lines (e.g., RS-485, CAN) without polarity constraints. |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Meets IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity requirements for industrial equipment and automotive ECUs. |
| Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant (M3 suffix) | Complies with EU Directive 2011/65/EU and IPC-1752A material declarations; suitable for green manufacturing. |
| MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity | Allows unlimited floor life and standard reflow without baking; reduces production handling overhead. |
| AEC-Q101 qualification ready | Base P/NHM3_X variant available for automotive applications; supports qualification path for safety-critical modules. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) | Industrial PLC Digital Input Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 24 V sensor supply lines in BCM against load-dump transients and alternator ripple. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt TVS diode placed between 24 V rail and chassis ground, clamping surges within 1 ns. Use Value: Limits voltage excursion to ≤32.4 V during 100 A/100 ms load dump events, preventing damage to microcontroller I/O and level-shifters. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 24 V digital input channels on PLC I/O cards from field-wiring induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamp on each input line, referenced to common ground, absorbing ±1 kV EFT bursts. Use Value: Maintains input logic integrity under IEC 61000-4-4 Level 4 (4 kV) fast transients without latch-up or parametric shift. |
| Automotive Camera Module Power Line | RS-485 Communication Port Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Securing 12 V power input to rear-view camera modules exposed to vehicle battery transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on camera power rail, placed upstream of DC/DC converter. Use Value: Withstands ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a (75 V/200 ms) without degradation, ensuring uninterrupted video output. |
Use Scenario: Protecting RS-485 transceiver pins (A/B) against lightning-induced common-mode surges on factory-floor cabling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS pair (one per line) referenced to signal ground, suppressing differential and common-mode spikes. Use Value: Clamps differential surges to <35 V while preserving signal integrity up to 10 Mbps due to low capacitance (<100 pF). |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ20A-M3/5A | Unidirectional; cathode band marked; 32.4 V clamping same, but only conducts in one direction. | Requires correct polarity placement; unsuitable for AC or differential lines without external biasing. | Select when protecting DC rails with known polarity and space-constrained layouts where unidirectional behavior is acceptable. |
| SMBJ20CA-M3/5A | Same VWM/VC, but SMB package (DO-214AA); 600 W peak pulse power rating. | Larger footprint (4.58 × 3.94 mm vs. 4.50 × 5.28 mm); higher thermal mass improves surge endurance. | Choose when higher surge margin is needed and PCB real estate allows larger package; retains same circuit role and pin compatibility. |
Compared with SMAJ20A-M3/5A, the SMAJ20CA-M3/5A eliminates polarity dependency for simplified layout and broader signal-line applicability; compared with SMBJ20CA-M3/5A, it trades 50% lower peak power for 25% smaller board area - ideal for compact automotive sensors and dense industrial I/O modules.
Availability
SMAJ20CA-M3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC input protection, RS-485 communication ports, and camera module power lines requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and halogen-free compliance.
Supply support for SMAJ20CA-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 reliability, efficiency, and automotive-grade qualification.
The SMAJ series is engineered for robust transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial control, and telecom infrastructure where repeatable clamping, low leakage, and AEC-Q101 readiness are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ20CA-M3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 32.4 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 12.3 A under the standardized 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC test conditions and guarantees the protected circuit will not experience voltages exceeding 32.4 V during such transients - critical for safeguarding 24 V-rated ICs and MOSFETs. The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range (−55 °C to +150 °C).
Is SMAJ20CA-M3/5A suitable for automotive applications requiring AEC-Q101 qualification?
The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A itself is the commercial-grade halogen-free variant (M3 suffix); however, Vishay offers the HM3_X derivative (e.g., SMAJ20CAHM3_A/I) which is fully AEC-Q101 qualified. The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A shares identical electrical characteristics, package, and thermal behavior with its qualified counterpart, making it suitable for pre-qualification prototyping and non-safety-critical automotive subsystems. For production deployment in qualified modules, the HM3_X version must be specified. The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A remains a valid drop-in for evaluation and early-stage design.
How does the bidirectional nature of SMAJ20CA-M3/5A affect PCB layout versus unidirectional variants?
The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A has no polarity marking and symmetric terminal behavior, eliminating orientation constraints during pick-and-place - reducing assembly errors and enabling flexible routing on dense boards. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., SMAJ20A-M3/5A), it requires no cathode alignment check and can protect AC-coupled or differential signals (e.g., CAN, RS-485) without external bias networks. This simplifies layout for dual-rail or floating interfaces, and the SMAJ20CA-M3/5A delivers identical clamping performance in both directions per the datasheet's bidirectional VBR and VC specs.
What is the thermal resistance and maximum power dissipation of SMAJ20CA-M3/5A under continuous operation?
The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on the recommended 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads. Its steady-state power dissipation (PD) is rated at 3.3 W at TA = 50 °C. This means under continuous DC stress, the device can safely dissipate up to 3.3 W without exceeding its +150 °C maximum junction temperature - though in practice, TVS diodes like the SMAJ20CA-M3/5A are intended for transient, not continuous, power handling. Its primary rating remains the 400 W pulsed capability.
Does SMAJ20CA-M3/5A meet industry standards for surge immunity testing?
Yes - the SMAJ20CA-M3/5A is designed to meet key surge immunity standards including IEC 61000-4-5 (surge) and IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT), supporting Level 3 (1 kV/2 Ω) and Level 4 (4 kV) compliance when properly implemented with appropriate PCB layout (e.g., short traces, ground plane coupling). Its 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), 32.4 V clamping, and sub-nanosecond response time directly align with these test profiles. The SMAJ20CA-M3/5A also satisfies UL 497B recognition (file E136766) for telecom and industrial protectors, confirming its suitability for certified end-equipment designs.
SMAJ20CA-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):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 32.4V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 12.3A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 400W
- 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)
SMAJ20CA-M3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ20CA-M3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ20CA-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 SMAJ20CA-M3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ20CA-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 SMAJ20CA-M3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ20CA-M3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ20CA-M3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ20CA-M3/5A?
SMAJ20CA-M3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ20CA-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 SMAJ20CA-M3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ20CA-M3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ20CA-M3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ20CA-M3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ20CA-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 SMAJ20CA-M3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ20CA-M3/5A?
All SMAJ20CA-M3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ20CA-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 SMAJ20CA-M3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ20CA-M3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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