Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMBJ150C-E3/5B

Overview

SMBJ150C-E3/5B from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMB (DO-214AA) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features a 150 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 243 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) under 10/1000 µs waveform, and 600 W peak pulse power (P_PPM). It protects sensitive MOSFETs and sensor interfaces in industrial motor drives and telecom line cards.

For engineers reviewing the SMBJ150C-E3/5B datasheet, SMBJ150C-E3/5B pinout, SMBJ150C-E3/5B application, or SMBJ150C-E3/5B equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, low clamping voltage (V_C = 243 V at I_PPM), thermal resistance (R_θJA = 100 °C/W), and AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility via HE3 suffix variants.

Technical Context

This device operates as a voltage-clamped surge protector with symmetrical breakdown behavior in both directions, enabling use on AC-coupled or floating signal paths without polarity concerns. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable avalanche characteristics and low leakage (<1.0 µA at V_WM), while the SMB package supports automated placement and meets UL 94 V-0 flammability rating.

The SMBJ150C-E3/5B delivers 600 W transient power handling per 10/1000 µs waveform at T_A = 25 °C, derating linearly above 25 °C per Fig. 2. Its clamping voltage of 243 V at 2.5 A (I_PPM = 243 A) provides predictable overvoltage limiting for 24–48 V DC bus protection and Ethernet PHY ESD hardening.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMB (DO-214AA), surface-mount, bidirectional configuration with no polarity marking. Dimensions: 4.57 mm × 3.94 mm × 2.20 mm (L × W × H); matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMBJ150C-E3/5B, SMBJ150CA-E3/5B offers identical protection performance with standardized naming, while SMCJ150C-E3/57 trades compact size for 2.5× higher surge capacity and better thermal management-making it suitable only when the SMB footprint is insufficient for required reliability margins.

Availability

SMBJ150C-E3/5B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, telecom line cards, automotive body control modules, and consumer appliance power supplies requiring stable component supply and RoHS-compliant manufacturing.

Supply support for SMBJ150C-E3/5B 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 SMBJ series is engineered for robust transient suppression in space-constrained, high-reliability applications-including industrial automation, telecom infrastructure, and automotive subsystems-where fast response and repeatable clamping are critical.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of SMBJ150C-E3/5B at its rated peak pulse current?

The SMBJ150C-E3/5B has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 243 V at its rated peak pulse current (I_PPM) of 243 A under the 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 1 in Vishay document 88392 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during worst-case surge events. The SMBJ150C-E3/5B maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.

Is SMBJ150C-E3/5B unidirectional or bidirectional?

SMBJ150C-E3/5B is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor, as confirmed by its "C" suffix and explicit listing under "DEVICES FOR BIDIRECTION APPLICATIONS" in the Vishay datasheet. It exhibits symmetrical breakdown and clamping behavior in both polarities, with no cathode band marking. This makes the SMBJ150C-E3/5B ideal for AC-coupled lines, differential interfaces, and floating-ground systems where polarity cannot be guaranteed.

Does SMBJ150C-E3/5B meet automotive qualification standards?

The SMBJ150C-E3/5B itself is commercial-grade (E3 suffix), but Vishay offers functionally identical AEC-Q101 qualified versions under HE3 and HM3 suffixes (e.g., SMBJ150CHE3_B/I). These share the same die, package, and electrical characteristics, differing only in test documentation and traceability. For automotive designs, specify the HE3 variant to ensure compliance; the SMBJ150C-E3/5B serves as the baseline commercial reference for qualification path validation.

What is the thermal resistance of SMBJ150C-E3/5B, and how does it affect PCB layout?

The SMBJ150C-E3/5B has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 100 °C/W when mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. This value assumes minimal copper area; increasing pad size or adding internal ground planes reduces R_θJA. For repeated surge events, thermal design must ensure junction temperature stays below +150 °C. The SMBJ150C-E3/5B's R_θJA directly informs minimum copper area requirements in layout.

How does SMBJ150C-E3/5B compare to SMAJ150C in terms of surge capability?

The SMBJ150C-E3/5B delivers 600 W peak pulse power, whereas the SMAJ150C (SMA package) is rated for only 400 W. This 50 % higher power rating stems from the SMB package's larger thermal mass and lower R_θJA (100 °C/W vs. ~130 °C/W for SMA). As a result, the SMBJ150C-E3/5B sustains higher surge currents (243 A vs. 162 A) and is preferred in applications demanding greater transient energy absorption without changing PCB footprint significantly.