Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMCJ90AHM3_A/H

Overview

SMCJ90AHM3_A/H from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMC (DO-214AB) package, designed for high-energy surge protection with 90 V standoff voltage (VWM), 1500 W peak pulse power (PPPM), and 146 V clamping voltage (VC) at 10.3 A peak pulse current (IPPM). It protects MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor signal lines in automotive and industrial power electronics.

For engineers reviewing the SMCJ90AHM3_A/H datasheet, SMCJ90AHM3_A/H pinout, SMCJ90AHM3_A/H application, or SMCJ90AHM3_A/H equivalent, key selection criteria include unidirectional polarity, AEC-Q101 qualification status, 1500 W surge capability, thermal resistance (RθJA = 75 °C/W), and halogen-free RoHS compliance per HM3 suffix.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a clamping device that remains high-impedance below 90 V reverse standoff voltage (VWM) and rapidly transitions to low-impedance conduction above its 100–111 V breakdown range (VBR), limiting transient voltages to ≤146 V at 10.3 A. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable avalanche performance under repetitive surges.

Designed for automated SMT assembly, it meets MSL level 1 per J-STD-020 with 260 °C lead-free reflow peak, features matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002, and supports operation from –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMC (DO-214AB), surface-mount, molded plastic case meeting UL 94 V-0 flammability rating; cathode indicated by band on body; terminals are matte tin-plated for solderability per J-STD-002.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMCJ90AHM3_A/H, SMAJ90AHE3/A offers smaller size but significantly reduced surge handling and thermal performance, while SMCJ90AHE3_A/H matches all electrical parameters but omits AEC-Q101 validation and halogen-free materials-making the HM3 variant essential for automotive OEM designs.

Availability

SMCJ90AHM3_A/H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronic control units, industrial programmable logic controllers, and telecom power supply designs requiring stable component supply with full AEC-Q101 traceability and halogen-free compliance.

Supply support for SMCJ90AHM3_A/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, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.

The SMCJ series is engineered for high-power transient suppression in harsh environments, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where robustness against ISO 7637-2, IEC 61000-4-5, and ESD events is mandatory.

FAQ

What does the "HM3" suffix indicate in SMCJ90AHM3_A/H?

The HM3 suffix in SMCJ90AHM3_A/H denotes halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction and AEC-Q101 qualification. It confirms compliance with automotive reliability standards and environmental regulations, distinguishing it from commercial-grade variants like E3 or M3. This makes SMCJ90AHM3_A/H suitable for under-hood and safety-critical vehicle subsystems where both material content and long-term field reliability are strictly controlled.

Is SMCJ90AHM3_A/H unidirectional or bidirectional?

SMCJ90AHM3_A/H is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor, as confirmed by the "A" (not "CA") suffix and presence of cathode band marking. It conducts only during reverse-biased overvoltage events-ideal for protecting positive DC rails referenced to ground. Bidirectional versions (e.g., SMCJ90CA) lack polarity marking and conduct in both directions, which is unnecessary and potentially harmful in single-polarity power applications.

What is the clamping voltage of SMCJ90AHM3_A/H and why does it matter?

The clamping voltage (VC) of SMCJ90AHM3_A/H is 146 V at 10.3 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under 10/1000 μs waveform conditions. This value defines the maximum voltage imposed on the protected circuit during a surge event. Since downstream components like DC-DC controllers or microcontrollers often have absolute maximum ratings near 36–40 V, the 146 V clamping must be combined with series impedance (e.g., fuse or resistor) to limit let-through energy-ensuring SMCJ90AHM3_A/H functions as part of a coordinated protection network, not standalone isolation.

Can SMCJ90AHM3_A/H be used in place of SMCJ90AHE3_A/H?

SMCJ90AHM3_A/H can replace SMCJ90AHE3_A/H electrically, but not interchangeably in all applications. Both share identical VWM (90 V), VBR (100–111 V), VC (146 V), and PPPM (1500 W), but SMCJ90AHM3_A/H adds halogen-free materials and AEC-Q101 qualification. If the end equipment requires automotive certification or green manufacturing compliance, SMCJ90AHM3_A/H is mandatory; otherwise, the HE3 variant may be selected for cost-sensitive commercial designs.

What is the thermal resistance and how does it affect PCB layout for SMCJ90AHM3_A/H?

The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of SMCJ90AHM3_A/H is 75 °C/W when mounted on 0.31" × 0.31" (8.0 mm × 8.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. This value assumes minimum recommended pad layout per Vishay's datasheet. To maintain TJ ≤ 150 °C under worst-case 6.5 W steady-state dissipation, designers must allocate sufficient copper area and consider airflow or adjacent heat sources. Reducing pad size increases RθJA, risking thermal runaway during sustained overvoltage conditions-so SMCJ90AHM3_A/H layout must follow Vishay's specified footprint exactly.