Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ20C-E3/61
- Part No.:
- SMAJ20C-E3/61
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ20C-E3/61.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 35.8VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMAJ20C-E3/61 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bi-directional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-214AC (SMA) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features 20 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 35.8 A peak pulse current (IPPM) at 10/1000 µs waveform, and clamps to ≤35.8 V under surge, protecting ICs and MOSFETs in automotive and industrial systems.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ20C-E3/61 datasheet, SMAJ20C-E3/61 pinout, SMAJ20C-E3/61 application, or SMAJ20C-E3/61 equivalent, this device serves as a surface-mount, RoHS-compliant, bi-directional TVS with MSL Level 1 rating, 150 °C max junction temperature, and 400 W peak pulse power capability below 78 V.
Technical Context
The SMAJ20C-E3/61 uses an avalanche breakdown mechanism to provide fast response (<1 ps) to ESD and lightning-induced transients. Its bi-directional structure enables symmetrical clamping in AC-coupled or floating signal paths without polarity concerns.
It operates within -55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature range, exhibits 1.0 µA max reverse leakage at 20 V, and delivers 35.8 A IPPM with 35.8 V clamping voltage (VC) - validated per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 standards using 10/1000 µs waveform.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 20 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins |
| VC @ IPPM | 35.8 V - clamped voltage during 35.8 A surge, limiting downstream stress |
| IPPM | 35.8 A - peak surge current handling with 10/1000 µs waveform |
| PPPM | 400 W - peak pulse power dissipation capability below 78 V |
| TJ max | +150 °C - maximum junction temperature enabling operation in under-hood automotive environments |
| Package | DO-214AC (SMA) - industry-standard surface-mount outline with 0.2 × 0.2″ copper pad thermal design |
| RoHS | Compliant - meets EU Directive 2002/95/EC, lead-free matte tin terminations |
Pinout & Package
DO-214AC (SMA) package: bi-directional device with no polarity marking; both terminals are electrically symmetric and interchangeable.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetric) | Transient conduction path | Bi-directional avalanche junction - conducts surge current equally in either direction when V > VC |
| Cathode Band (absent) | Polarity indicator | Not applicable - bi-directional devices omit cathode band per datasheet specification |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bi-directional clamping | Enables protection of AC-coupled interfaces (e.g., RS-485, CAN bus) without external polarity management |
| 400 W peak pulse power | Supports IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV surge) compliance on properly laid out PCBs |
| MSL Level 1 rating | Allows unlimited floor life and reflow up to 260 °C peak - compatible with standard SMT assembly |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast-rising transients (e.g., ESD ±15 kV contact discharge) |
| 1.0 µA max reverse leakage @ VWM | Prevents signal distortion or bias shift in high-impedance sensor or communication lines |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Interface | Industrial RS-485 Network |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting analog output lines of engine coolant temperature sensors exposed to load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional TVS clamping transient energy before it reaches ADC input or signal conditioning op-amp. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity under 12 V system surges up to 35 V, preventing latch-up or parametric drift in precision sensing circuits. |
Use Scenario: Shielding differential data lines in factory-floor PLC networks subject to ground bounce and EFT bursts. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response voltage clamp on A/B bus lines, preserving signal eye diagram integrity during 5 kHz burst noise. Use Value: Limits common-mode overvoltage to <35.8 V, ensuring RS-485 transceivers (e.g., SN65HVD230) remain within absolute maximum ratings. |
| Consumer USB Port Protection | Telecom DSL Line Interface |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding USB 2.0 D+/D− lines against ESD events during hot-plug insertion in set-top boxes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance bi-directional TVS placed directly at connector, shunting ±8 kV HBM transients. Use Value: Delivers sub-nanosecond response with <1.0 µA leakage, avoiding signal attenuation or jitter in 480 Mbps data streams. |
Use Scenario: Front-end surge suppression on twisted-pair DSL lines entering residential gateways exposed to lightning-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary line-level clamp absorbing 10/1000 µs surges up to 400 W before reaching G.lite or ADSL2+ PHY. Use Value: Withstands repeated 1 kV/0.5 J surges while maintaining VWM = 20 V margin above nominal line voltage swing. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ20CA-E3/61 | Identical electrical specs and packaging; CA suffix denotes same bi-directional variant per Vishay ordering nomenclature | No functional difference - CA and C suffixes both indicate bi-directional configuration in SMAJ family | Select SMAJ20CA-E3/61 only if legacy BOM or distributor inventory mandates explicit CA marking |
| SMCJ20C-E3/61 | Same VWM (20 V) but higher PPPM (1500 W) and IPPM (87.8 A); larger DO-214AB (SMC) package | Better suited for higher-energy threats (e.g., IEC 61000-4-5 Level 5), but requires PCB layout change due to 7.11 mm x 6.22 mm footprint vs. SMA's 4.5 mm x 2.79 mm | Choose SMCJ20C-E3/61 only when surge threat level exceeds 400 W and board space allows larger package |
Compared with SMAJ20C-E3/61, SMAJ20CA-E3/61 offers identical protection performance in same footprint, while SMCJ20C-E3/61 provides 3.75× higher surge power handling at the cost of doubled board area and thermal mass - making SMAJ20C-E3/61 optimal for space-constrained 12 V automotive and industrial modules requiring certified 400 W clamping.
Availability
SMAJ20C-E3/61 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor protection, industrial RS-485 networks, consumer USB interface hardening, and telecom DSL line front-ends requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.
Supply support for SMAJ20C-E3/61 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, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability and AEC-Q101 qualification.
The SMAJ series was engineered for robust, surface-mount transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where compact size, repeatable clamping, and MSL-1 process compatibility are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ20C-E3/61 under maximum rated surge current?
The SMAJ20C-E3/61 clamps to a maximum of 35.8 V when subjected to its rated 35.8 A peak pulse current (IPPM) with a 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 and ensures downstream components see voltage limited well below typical 36 V absolute maximum ratings for many 24 V system ICs.
Is SMAJ20C-E3/61 suitable for automotive applications?
Yes, SMAJ20C-E3/61 is qualified to AEC-Q101 when ordered with HE3 suffix (e.g., SMAJ20CHE3/61), but the E3/61 variant meets commercial-grade requirements including MSL Level 1, 150 °C TJ max, and RoHS compliance - making it widely deployed in non-safety-critical automotive subsystems such as body control modules and infotainment interfaces.
How does the bi-directional configuration of SMAJ20C-E3/61 affect its use in signal line protection?
The bi-directional configuration of SMAJ20C-E3/61 allows it to protect AC-coupled or floating signal pairs (e.g., CAN H/L, RS-485 A/B) without regard to DC bias polarity. Unlike uni-directional TVS diodes, SMAJ20C-E3/61 clamps symmetrically above +20 V and below -20 V, eliminating need for dual-device placement or polarity-aware routing.
What is the maximum reverse leakage current specified for SMAJ20C-E3/61 at its stand-off voltage?
SMAJ20C-E3/61 specifies a maximum reverse leakage current (ID) of 1.0 µA at its 20 V stand-off voltage (VWM) and 25 °C ambient temperature. This low leakage ensures minimal impact on high-impedance sensor outputs or precision reference nodes where even nanoamp-level currents could induce offset errors.
Does SMAJ20C-E3/61 require special PCB layout considerations for thermal performance?
Yes - Vishay specifies that the 400 W peak pulse power rating assumes mounting on 0.2 × 0.2 inch (5.0 × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. Reducing pad area lowers thermal mass and increases junction temperature rise during surge, potentially degrading clamping consistency. Use minimum recommended pad layout per Figure 5 in datasheet 88390 to maintain rated performance.
SMAJ20C-E3/61 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 35.8V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 11.2A
- 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)
SMAJ20C-E3/61 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ20C-E3/61 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ20C-E3/61 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 SMAJ20C-E3/61 reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ20C-E3/61 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ20C-E3/61 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ20C-E3/61?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ20C-E3/61 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ20C-E3/61?
SMAJ20C-E3/61 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ20C-E3/61 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 SMAJ20C-E3/61?
For technical support, including SMAJ20C-E3/61 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ20C-E3/61 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ20C-E3/61 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ20C-E3/61 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 SMAJ20C-E3/61 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ20C-E3/61?
All SMAJ20C-E3/61 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ20C-E3/61, 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 SMAJ20C-E3/61 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ20C-E3/61:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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