Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMBJ6.5A-M3/52

Overview

SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMB (DO-214AA) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features a 6.5 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 7.22–7.98 V breakdown voltage (V_BR) at 10 mA, 11.2 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 53.6 A peak pulse current, and 600 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in industrial and automotive electronics.

For engineers reviewing the SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 datasheet, SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 pinout, SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 application, or SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, clamping performance under surge conditions, RoHS-compliant halogen-free construction, and AEC-Q101 qualification path - critical for ESD/surge protection design validation and BOM selection.

Technical Context

The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 operates as a unidirectional avalanche diode, conducting only when reverse voltage exceeds its V_BR threshold (7.22–7.98 V), then clamping transient energy to ≤11.2 V at 53.6 A. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics and low leakage (<500 µA at V_WM).

Thermal resistance is rated at 100 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) and 20 °C/W (junction-to-lead); it supports operation from −55 °C to +150 °C and meets MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020 with 260 °C reflow peak. The cathode band identifies polarity, and matte tin-plated leads comply with J-STD-002 solderability standards.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMB (DO-214AA), surface-mount, single-axis molded case with cathode band marking. Dimensions: 4.57 mm × 3.94 mm × 2.20 mm (L × W × H). Matte tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMBJ6.5A-E3/52, the M3 version adds halogen-free compliance without sacrificing surge rating or thermal performance; versus SMBJ6.5CA-M3/52, the unidirectional SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 offers lower leakage and tighter V_BR tolerance for DC-biased protection, making it preferable for power rail applications.

Availability

SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor nodes, consumer USB power delivery, and telecom DC input protection requiring stable component supply, halogen-free compliance, and AEC-Q101 qualification readiness.

Supply support for SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 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 performance.

The SMBJ series is engineered for high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where robustness, repeatability, and regulatory compliance are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum clamping voltage of SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 under surge conditions?

The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 11.2 V at 53.6 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) using the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 and guarantees that protected circuits experience no more than 11.2 V during worst-case transient events - critical for safeguarding 5 V logic interfaces. The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.

Is SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes - while the base SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 is commercial-grade, it shares identical electrical and mechanical specifications with AEC-Q101-qualified variants (e.g., SMBJ6.5A-HM3_X). Its halogen-free construction, MSL Level 1 rating, 150 °C junction temperature limit, and glass-passivated junction make it suitable for automotive subsystems such as body control modules and infotainment power supplies. Full AEC-Q101 qualification requires ordering the HM3_X suffix version.

How does SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 differ from SMBJ6.5CA-M3/52?

The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 is unidirectional, with cathode marked and conduction only during reverse-biased overvoltage; SMBJ6.5CA-M3/52 is bidirectional, symmetric in both polarities, and unmarked. Electrically, both share identical V_BR, V_C, and P_PPM, but the unidirectional SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 exhibits lower reverse leakage (<500 µA vs. <1000 µA for CA types at V_WM). Use SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 for DC rails; choose SMBJ6.5CA-M3/52 for AC or differential signal lines like RS-485.

What is the thermal resistance of SMBJ6.5A-M3/52, and how does it affect layout?

The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 100 °C/W and junction-to-lead (R_θJL) of 20 °C/W. To maintain safe operation at full 600 W pulse power, PCB layout must follow Vishay's recommended 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pad per terminal. Reducing pad area increases R_θJA, lowering sustainable surge repetition rate - especially critical in high-temperature industrial enclosures.

Does SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 require derating at elevated ambient temperatures?

Yes - the SMBJ6.5A-M3/52 must be derated linearly above 25 °C ambient per Figure 2 in the datasheet. At 85 °C ambient, its peak pulse power drops to ~420 W (70 % of 600 W), and at 125 °C, it falls to ~240 W (40 %). This derating is essential for sustained surge duty cycles in engine bay or industrial control cabinet applications. The SMBJ6.5A-M3/52's 150 °C T_J max allows continued operation, but pulse energy must scale with ambient temperature.