Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61

Overview

SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal and power lines. It features 8.0 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 6.40–7.25 V breakdown voltage (V_BR) at 10 mA, 13.6 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 29.4 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor signal lines in automotive and industrial electronics.

For engineers reviewing the SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 datasheet, SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 pinout, SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 application, or SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, low clamping ratio (V_C/V_WM = 1.7), AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility (via HM3 suffix), MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads.

Technical Context

This device operates as a voltage-clamping protector with symmetrical avalanche breakdown in both directions, enabling suppression of positive and negative transients without polarity constraints. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable V_BR tolerance (±5% typical), low incremental surge resistance, and fast response time (<1 ps), critical for protecting sensitive inputs against ESD and inductive switching spikes.

The SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 delivers 400 W peak pulse power up to 78 V and derates to 300 W above that threshold, with thermal resistance R_θJA = 120 °C/W and R_θJL = 30 °C/W. It supports repetitive surge duty cycle ≤ 0.01 % and meets UL 497B recognition (QVGQ2) for telecom and industrial surge protection systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads, MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020, LF peak 260 °C. Bidirectional construction means no polarity marking; terminals are symmetric and interchangeable.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61, the unidirectional SMAJ8.0A-M3/61 offers lower forward drop but lacks polarity flexibility, while the SMBJ8.0CA-M3/61 trades compactness for higher surge endurance - making SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 optimal for space-constrained bidirectional protection where 400 W suffices.

Availability

SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial PLC I/O modules, consumer USB port protection, and telecom line driver circuits requiring stable component supply, halogen-free compliance, and AEC-Q101-qualified traceability.

Supply support for SMAJ8.0CA-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, rectifiers, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.

The SMAJ series was developed for surface-mount transient suppression in high-volume automotive, industrial, and communications systems - balancing compact size, repeatable clamping, and qualification-ready construction.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 at its rated peak pulse current?

The SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 13.6 V at 29.4 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) with a 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured under standardized conditions per IEC 61000-4-5 and ensures downstream components experience minimal overvoltage stress during surge events. The SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range (−55 °C to +150 °C).

Is SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes - the SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 is offered in an AEC-Q101-qualified variant (HM3 suffix), meeting stress tests for temperature cycling, high-temperature reverse bias, and unbiased high-temperature storage. While the base M3 suffix is commercial-grade, its construction - glass-passivated junction, MSL Level 1 rating, and −55 °C to +150 °C operation - aligns with automotive subsystem requirements. For certified use, specify SMAJ8.0CA-HM3/61.

How does the bidirectional design of SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 affect PCB layout?

The SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 has no polarity marking and identical terminal behavior in both directions, eliminating orientation constraints during automated placement. This simplifies layout by allowing placement across differential pairs (e.g., CAN_H/CAN_L) or AC-coupled lines without concern for anode/cathode alignment. Its SMA (DO-214AC) footprint remains unchanged versus unidirectional variants, enabling shared land patterns in mixed-design boards.

What is the maximum leakage current of SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 at its stand-off voltage?

At V_WM = 8.0 V and T_A = 25 °C, the SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 exhibits a maximum reverse leakage current (I_DR) of 50 μA. This low leakage preserves signal fidelity in high-impedance sensor interfaces and minimizes quiescent power draw in battery-powered devices. Leakage remains below 200 μA even at 125 °C, ensuring stable performance across extended temperature ranges.

Does SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 meet any safety certifications?

Yes - the SMAJ8.0CA-M3/61 carries Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Recognition under file E136766 for both unidirectional and bidirectional configurations, compliant with UL 497B for primary protector classification. It also meets IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD), IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT), and IEC 61000-4-5 (surge) immunity test requirements when applied per recommended PCB layout guidelines in the Vishay datasheet 88390.