Diodes Incorporated SMF4L12CA-7
- Part No.:
- SMF4L12CA-7
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-219AA
- Datasheet:
-
SMF4L12CA-7.pdf
- Description:
- TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SUPPRESSOR PP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,376
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Product details
Overview
SMF4L12CA-7 from Diodes Incorporated is a bi-directional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-219AA package, designed for high-energy ESD and surge protection in low-voltage DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 12V working peak reverse voltage (VRWM), 13.3V minimum breakdown voltage (VBR), 19.9V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 20.1A peak pulse current, and 400W peak pulse power dissipation (10/1000µs waveform). It is used in automotive body control modules to protect LIN bus transceivers against ISO 7637-2 pulse 1 and pulse 2b transients.
For engineers reviewing the SMF4L12CA-7 datasheet, SMF4L12CA-7 pinout, SMF4L12CA-7 application, or SMF4L12CA-7 equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage margin relative to protected IC's absolute maximum rating, IEC 61000-4-2 ±30kV air/contact ESD capability, bi-directional symmetry for AC-coupled or differential signal lines, and DO-219AA thermal performance under sustained surge duty cycles.
Technical Context
This bi-directional TVS operates symmetrically across both polarities, with identical VBR min/max (13.3V/14.7V) and VC (19.9V) in either direction, enabling robust protection of balanced interfaces like CAN FD or RS-485 without polarity sensitivity. Its sub-5ns response time ensures clamping activation before transient energy reaches downstream components.
The device delivers 400W peak pulse power handling per JEDEC-standard 10/1000µs waveform while maintaining low leakage (<0.5µA at VRWM) and tight parameter distribution - critical for consistent protection behavior across production batches in automotive-grade systems.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VRWM | 12V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before significant leakage; sets upper limit for protected circuit's nominal rail voltage. |
| VBR (min/max) | 13.3V / 14.7V - Breakdown initiates within this range at 1mA test current; defines onset of clamping action. |
| VC @ IPP | 19.9V @ 20.1A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000µs surge; must stay below protected IC's absolute max rating (e.g., <24V for 24V-tolerant transceivers). |
| IPP (max) | 20.1A - Peak surge current supported at rated clamping voltage; determines survivability against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 (inductive load dump). |
| PPK | 400W - Peak pulse power capacity; enables single-device protection for moderate-energy transients without derating. |
| IR @ VRWM | <0.5µA - Reverse leakage at 12V; ensures negligible standby power loss and no interference with high-impedance sensor inputs. |
| ESD Rating | ±30kV (air/contact, IEC 61000-4-2) - Full-system ESD immunity without external spark gaps or multi-stage networks. |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-219AA - Surface-mount, flat-lead, ultra-compact plastic package (2.80mm × 1.90mm × 0.60mm height) with matte tin-plated copper alloy leads; RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, MSL Level 1.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode (Cathode Band Absent) | Bi-directional terminal A | No cathode band indicates bi-directional construction; either terminal serves as anode or cathode depending on polarity of applied transient. |
| Cathode (Cathode Band Absent) | Bi-directional terminal B | Symmetric structure ensures identical clamping behavior in both directions - essential for protecting AC-coupled or differential buses (e.g., CAN, USB D+/D−). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 400W peak pulse power (10/1000µs) | Enables single-device protection against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 (−100V/50Ω) and Pulse 2b (−100V/2Ω) without parallel staging. |
| Bi-directional symmetry (VBR & VC matched ±0.2V) | Eliminates orientation dependency during PCB placement and guarantees equal protection for positive/negative transients on shared signal lines. |
| IEC 61000-4-2 ±30kV ESD immunity | Meets automotive infotainment and ADAS ESD requirements without supplemental polymer TVS or filtering capacitors. |
| DO-219AA thermal resistance (RθJA = 96°C/W) | Supports >1.0W steady-state dissipation on standard 1"×1" FR-4 board - sufficient for leakage-limited self-heating during long-term operation. |
| Lead-free, halogen-free, RoHS 3 compliant | Fulfills automotive OEM material declarations (IMDS, CAMDS) and supports lead-free reflow profiles up to 260°C peak. |
Applications
| Automotive LIN Bus Protection | USB 2.0 Data Line Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN transceivers (e.g., TLE7259-3GE) in door modules against battery load dump and ESD events during assembly and service. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional TVS placed directly at connector entry point, clamping transients before they reach transceiver ESD diodes. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to LIN PHY by limiting clamped voltage to 19.9V - well below transceiver's 36V abs max rating. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding USB 2.0 D+ and D− lines in automotive telematics units against hot-plug ESD and cable-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: One SMF4L12CA-7 per line (D+, D−), mounted adjacent to USB connector with minimal trace length to reduce inductance. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity with <1.5pF junction capacitance while delivering ±30kV contact ESD protection - no data corruption or enumeration failure. |
| Industrial RS-485 Transceiver Protection | Smart Meter Power Supply Input Protection |
Use Scenario: Shielding isolated RS-485 transceivers (e.g., ADM2483) in utility meter communication modules from induced lightning surges on long field wiring. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional clamping across A/B differential pair, referenced to local ground via low-inductance layout. Use Value: Symmetric 19.9V clamping prevents common-mode overvoltage from exceeding transceiver isolation barrier rating (e.g., 2.5kVRMS). |
Use Scenario: Guarding 12V auxiliary power input of smart electricity meters against grid switching transients and capacitor discharge events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: First-line protection ahead of DC-DC converter input, sized to absorb 400W pulses without thermal runaway. Use Value: Withstands repeated 10/1000µs surges up to 20.1A while maintaining <0.5µA leakage - avoids false brown-out detection in low-power sleep modes. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bi-directional TVS diode applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ12CA | DO-214AC package; higher RθJA (125°C/W); 200W PPK; VC = 19.9V @ 12.5A | Lower surge current handling; less suitable for ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 where >15A is required | Select when board space allows larger SMA package and surge energy is limited to ≤200W. |
| TPSMD12CA | DO-214AB package; same 400W rating; VC = 19.9V @ 20.1A; but 1.5x higher junction capacitance (3.5pF) | Higher capacitance degrades signal integrity on >12Mbps interfaces (e.g., CAN FD) | Prefer for power rail protection only; avoid on high-speed data lines where <2pF is mandatory. |
Compared with SMAJ12CA and TPSMD12CA, SMF4L12CA-7 offers superior thermal efficiency in a smaller footprint (DO-219AA), lower parasitic capacitance for data-line use, and verified 400W capability - making it optimal for space-constrained automotive and industrial designs requiring full IEC 61000-4-2 and ISO 7637-2 compliance.
Availability
SMF4L12CA-7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial communication interfaces, and smart metering systems requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q200-aligned reliability, and consistent surge performance across production lots.
Supply support for SMF4L12CA-7 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
Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, headquartered in Plano, Texas, with design, manufacturing, and sales operations across Asia, Europe, and North America.
The SMF4L series belongs to Diodes' high-reliability TVS portfolio targeting automotive and industrial applications, engineered specifically to meet stringent AEC-Q200 stress testing and IATF 16949 production requirements.
FAQ
Is SMF4L12CA-7 qualified to AEC-Q200?
No - SMF4L12CA-7 is not AEC-Q200 qualified. It is a commercial-grade part built in IATF 16949-certified facilities and meets JEDEC reliability standards. For automotive-qualified equivalents, refer to Diodes' "Q-suffix" variants such as SMF4L12CAQ-7, which undergo full AEC-Q200 temperature cycling, humidity bias, and mechanical shock testing.
What is the maximum allowable PCB trace length between SMF4L12CA-7 and protected IC?
Trace inductance must be minimized to preserve clamping speed; Diodes recommends ≤3mm total loop length (from TVS anode to protected node, then back to cathode via shortest path). Longer traces add inductive voltage overshoot (V = L·di/dt), potentially exceeding the protected IC's absolute maximum rating despite the TVS's 19.9V VC rating.
Can SMF4L12CA-7 be used in place of unidirectional TVS like SMF4L12A-7?
No - SMF4L12CA-7 is bi-directional and lacks a cathode band; SMF4L12A-7 is unidirectional with a cathode marking and asymmetric clamping (forward conduction at ~1.2V). Substituting them risks incorrect polarity installation and failure to clamp negative transients in DC-biased circuits.
Does SMF4L12CA-7 require derating at elevated ambient temperatures?
Yes - its peak pulse current (IPP) must be derated above +25°C per Figure 1 in DS43394. At +85°C ambient, IPP drops to ~75% of rated 20.1A (≈15.1A); at +125°C, it falls to ~50% (≈10.1A). Thermal design must ensure junction temperature stays ≤175°C during surge events.
SMF4L12CA-7 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Package/Case:
- DO-219AA
- Series:
- SMF4L
- 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):
- 20.1A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 400W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- -
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-219AA
SMF4L12CA-7 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMF4L12CA-7 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMF4L12CA-7 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 SMF4L12CA-7 reliable?
The price and inventory of SMF4L12CA-7 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMF4L12CA-7 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMF4L12CA-7?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMF4L12CA-7 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMF4L12CA-7?
SMF4L12CA-7 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMF4L12CA-7 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 SMF4L12CA-7?
For technical support, including SMF4L12CA-7 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMF4L12CA-7 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMF4L12CA-7 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMF4L12CA-7 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 SMF4L12CA-7 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMF4L12CA-7?
All SMF4L12CA-7 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMF4L12CA-7, 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 SMF4L12CA-7 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMF4L12CA-7:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SMF4L12CA-7 Tags

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Diodes Incorporated
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