Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61

Overview

SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 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 signal or power lines. It features 6.40 V minimum breakdown voltage (V_BR), 6.0 V maximum stand-off voltage (V_WM), 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), and clamps to ≤10.3 V at 38.8 A peak surge current - used in automotive sensor protection, industrial I/O interfaces, and telecom line surge suppression.

For engineers reviewing the SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 datasheet, SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 pinout, SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 application, or SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, 10.3 V clamping voltage at rated IPPM, M3 halogen-free RoHS compliance, and AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility via HM3 suffix variants.

Technical Context

This device operates as a voltage-clamped transient protector with symmetrical avalanche breakdown in both directions, enabling use without polarity consideration on AC-coupled or differential lines. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable V_BR tolerance (±5% typical), low incremental surge resistance, and fast response time (<1 ns) to ESD and lightning-induced surges.

Thermal performance is defined by R_θJA = 120 °C/W (on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads) and T_J max = 150 °C, supporting operation in automotive under-hood and industrial control environments. The SMA package supports automated placement and meets J-STD-020 MSL Level 1 reflow profile (260 °C peak).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads; no polarity marking for bidirectional configuration.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.

Compared with SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61, the E3 variant offers identical protection performance at lower material cost but lacks halogen-free status, while the HM3 variant adds automotive qualification - making SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 the optimal balance of environmental compliance and broad industrial applicability.

Availability

SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial PLC I/O modules, and telecom line protection requiring stable component supply, halogen-free compliance, and repeatable surge performance.

Supply support for SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 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, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and passive components with emphasis on reliability and application-specific performance.

The SMAJ series is engineered for robust transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where immunity to ESD, EFT, and surge events is mission-critical.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 at its rated peak pulse current?

The SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 clamps to a maximum of 10.3 V at its rated peak pulse current of 38.8 A (10/1000 μs waveform). This value is measured under standardized test conditions and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The clamping performance is consistent across both polarities due to its bidirectional construction, and the 10.3 V value directly enables compatibility with 5 V logic families and microcontrollers.

Is SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 suitable for automotive applications?

SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 itself is halogen-free and RoHS-compliant but not AEC-Q101 qualified. However, the functionally identical SMAJ6.0CAHM3/61 variant carries full AEC-Q101 qualification. For automotive designs requiring formal qualification, engineers should specify the HM3 suffix version; SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 remains appropriate for non-qualified automotive subsystems where halogen-free compliance is mandatory but stress-test validation is not required.

How does the bidirectional nature of SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 affect PCB layout?

The SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 has no polarity marking and operates identically in both directions, eliminating orientation concerns during placement. This simplifies PCB layout by removing the need for silkscreen polarity indicators or assembly verification steps. Designers may place it across any two nodes requiring symmetrical overvoltage protection - such as differential signal pairs, AC-coupled lines, or floating power rails - without risk of functional misconfiguration.

What is the thermal resistance of SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61, and how does it impact power dissipation?

SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads per terminal. This value determines steady-state temperature rise under continuous power dissipation (P_D = 3.3 W). While TVS devices handle energy in short pulses rather than continuous DC, this R_θJA rating informs board-level thermal design for repeated surge events and ambient temperature derating above 25 °C.

Does SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 meet moisture sensitivity level (MSL) requirements for lead-free reflow?

Yes, SMAJ6.0CA-M3/61 meets J-STD-020 MSL Level 1 with a maximum peak reflow temperature of 260 °C, meaning it can be stored indefinitely at ambient conditions and withstand standard lead-free reflow profiles without baking or special handling. This eliminates moisture-related popcorning risks and supports high-yield automated assembly in commercial and industrial manufacturing lines.