Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMC5K12CA-M3/H
- Part No.:
- SMC5K12CA-M3/H
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AB, SMC
- Datasheet:
-
SMC5K12CA-M3/H.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 12VWM 19.9VC DO214AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMC5K12CA-M3/H from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMC (DO-214AB) package, designed for high-energy surge protection on power and signal lines. It features 12 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 13.3–14.7 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 19.9 V clamping voltage (VC) at 251 A (10/1000 μs), 5000 W peak pulse power, and AEC-Q101 qualification - deployed in automotive power rail and sensor interface protection.
For engineers reviewing the SMC5K12CA-M3/H datasheet, SMC5K12CA-M3/H pinout, SMC5K12CA-M3/H application, or SMC5K12CA-M3/H equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage under 251 A surge, bidirectional polarity, 175 °C max junction temperature, MSL Level 1 reflow compatibility, and halogen-free RoHS-compliant construction.
Technical Context
This TVS operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector triggered by reverse-biased avalanche breakdown. Its bidirectional structure enables symmetrical clamping on AC or differential lines without polarity sensitivity, and its low incremental surge resistance ensures stable clamping during multi-pulse transients.
The device meets IEC 61000-4-2 ESD immunity up to 30 kV (contact/air), supports 8/20 μs lightning surge handling up to 1581 A, and maintains thermal stability via RthJM = 4.0 °C/W and RthJA = 90 °C/W - critical for sustained operation in engine control units and industrial motor drives.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 12 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before conduction begins; defines safe operating margin below clamping threshold |
| VBR min/max | 13.3 V / 14.7 V at 1 mA - guaranteed avalanche initiation range; ensures consistent turn-on across production lots |
| VC @ IPPM | 19.9 V at 251 A (10/1000 μs) - actual clamped voltage seen by protected circuit during standardized surge event |
| PPPM | 5000 W - peak transient energy absorption capability with 10/1000 μs waveform; determines survivability against load dump |
| TJ max | +175 °C - maximum junction temperature rating; enables placement near high-power components in under-hood automotive modules |
| Polarity | Bidirectional - provides symmetrical overvoltage protection on AC-coupled or floating signal paths without orientation dependency |
| ESD Rating | 30 kV HBM (contact & air) - exceeds IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4; suitable for direct interface with exposed connectors and sensors |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMC (DO-214AB), surface-mount, bidirectional configuration with no cathode band. Matte tin-plated leads, J-STD-002 solderable, MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak reflow).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry terminal during positive transient | Connects to line being protected; forms one side of symmetrical avalanche path |
| Cathode | Current entry terminal during negative transient | Connects to line being protected; completes bidirectional clamping loop with anode |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Peak pulse power | 5000 W (10/1000 μs) - sustains high-energy transients common in automotive load-dump events without degradation |
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, humidity bias, and mechanical shock testing |
| Low clamping ratio | VC/VWM = 1.66 - tight voltage margin between stand-off and clamping improves system-level surge margin |
| Halogen-free & RoHS | M3 suffix indicates industrial-grade halogen-free molding compound compliant with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU |
| Thermal resistance | RthJM = 4.0 °C/W - enables efficient heat transfer to PCB copper pour or heatsink, supporting high-duty-cycle protection |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V battery-fed ECUs from ISO 7637-2 load dump pulses and alternator overshoot. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt clamping element placed between power rail and ground, activated within <1 ns to limit voltage excursion. Use Value: Clamps to 19.9 V at 251 A, preventing damage to downstream 3.3 V/5 V regulators and microcontrollers. | Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog sensor outputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) connected to long harnesses in factory automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage limiter on differential or single-ended signal lines exposed to EFT and lightning-induced surges. Use Value: 30 kV HBM ESD rating and 1581 A (8/20 μs) surge capacity ensure robustness against field-installation electrostatic events. |
| Telecom Line Interface Protection | Consumer USB/Display Port ESD Guard |
Use Scenario: Shielding RS-485 transceivers and PoE-powered Ethernet PHYs from induced surges on outdoor cabling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary front-end TVS on data pair, coordinated with secondary GDT or polymer PTC for multi-stage protection. Use Value: 19.9 V clamping aligns with 24 V nominal telecom supply rails, preserving signal integrity while meeting IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3. | Use Scenario: Board-level ESD suppression on USB Type-C CC lines and DisplayPort AUX channels in laptops and docking stations. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response shunt device placed adjacent to connector, diverting human-body-model discharges before IC input structures. Use Value: Sub-1 ns response time and 30 kV contact discharge rating meet USB-IF and VESA compliance requirements. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ12CA-E3/52 | Lower PPPM (600 W), SMB package (smaller footprint), same VWM and bidirectional polarity | Suitable for space-constrained consumer electronics but insufficient for automotive load dump | Select SMC5K12CA-M3/H when 5000 W surge handling and AEC-Q101 qualification are mandatory |
| SMC5K12CAHM3/H | Identical electrical specs; HM3 suffix denotes AEC-Q101 qualification (vs. M3's industrial grade) | Required for automotive OEM designs requiring full AEC-Q101 documentation and traceability | Choose SMC5K12CAHM3/H only if formal AEC-Q101 certification records are contractually required |
Compared with SMBJ12CA-E3/52 and SMC5K12CAHM3/H, the SMC5K12CA-M3/H delivers industrial-grade 5000 W surge immunity in the robust SMC package - offering optimal balance of performance, cost, and qualification scope for Tier 2 automotive and industrial control applications.
Availability
SMC5K12CA-M3/H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power rail protection, industrial sensor interface hardening, and telecom line surge suppression requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for SMC5K12CA-M3/H 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 and application-specific performance.
The SMC5KxxCA series belongs to Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS platform, engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure where failure resilience is non-negotiable.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of the SMC5K12CA-M3/H under a 10/1000 μs surge?
The SMC5K12CA-M3/H has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 19.9 V when subjected to a 10/1000 μs waveform at its rated peak pulse current of 251 A. This value is measured per Fig. 3 in Vishay document 87024 and reflects the actual voltage imposed on the protected circuit during standardized surge testing. The SMC5K12CA-M3/H maintains this clamping performance across its specified operating temperature range.
Is the SMC5K12CA-M3/H suitable for automotive applications?
Yes, the SMC5K12CA-M3/H is qualified to AEC-Q101 for stress testing including temperature cycling, mechanical shock, and humidity bias - making it appropriate for under-hood and chassis-mounted automotive systems. While the M3 suffix denotes industrial-grade qualification, its electrical specs (175 °C TJ max, 5000 W PPPM, 30 kV ESD) fully satisfy ISO 7637-2 and IEC 61000-4-5 requirements. The SMC5K12CA-M3/H is widely used in body control modules and ADAS sensor interfaces.
What does the "-M3/H" suffix mean in SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
The "-M3" suffix indicates halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with matte tin-plated leads and JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance. The "/H" denotes packaging in 7-inch plastic tape-and-reel format with 850 units per reel. This ordering code specifies both material compliance and logistics configuration - distinct from HM3 (AEC-Q101 qualified) or /I (13-inch reel) variants. The SMC5K12CA-M3/H is traceable to Vishay's standard industrial-grade production lot controls.
How does the SMC5K12CA-M3/H compare to unidirectional TVS diodes?
The SMC5K12CA-M3/H is bidirectional, providing symmetrical clamping on both polarities - essential for AC signals, differential buses (e.g., CAN, RS-485), or floating power domains. Unidirectional TVS diodes offer lower leakage and slightly tighter VBR tolerance but require correct orientation and cannot protect against reverse-polarity transients. The SMC5K12CA-M3/H eliminates polarity installation errors and simplifies layout in mixed-signal systems.
What is the thermal resistance profile of the SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
The SMC5K12CA-M3/H has a junction-to-mount thermal resistance (RthJM) of 4.0 °C/W and junction-to-ambient resistance (RthJA) of 90 °C/W when mounted per JEDEC 51-2A on FR4 with standard 2 oz. copper. This dual-resistance profile enables accurate thermal modeling: RthJM governs heat flow into the PCB copper pour or heatsink, while RthJA sets ambient derating limits. The SMC5K12CA-M3/H sustains repeated surges without thermal runaway due to this optimized thermal path.
SMC5K12CA-M3/H Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AB, SMC
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 12V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 13.3V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 19.9V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 251A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 5000W (5kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- Telecom
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AB (SMC)
SMC5K12CA-M3/H FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMC5K12CA-M3/H through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMC5K12CA-M3/H 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 SMC5K12CA-M3/H reliable?
The price and inventory of SMC5K12CA-M3/H are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMC5K12CA-M3/H is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMC5K12CA-M3/H transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
SMC5K12CA-M3/H orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMC5K12CA-M3/H 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 SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
For technical support, including SMC5K12CA-M3/H datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMC5K12CA-M3/H requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMC5K12CA-M3/H is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMC5K12CA-M3/H 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 SMC5K12CA-M3/H meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMC5K12CA-M3/H?
All SMC5K12CA-M3/H units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMC5K12CA-M3/H, 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 SMC5K12CA-M3/H part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMC5K12CA-M3/H:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SMC5K12CA-M3/H Tags

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