SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 - 600W 5V Unidirectional TVS Diode | Vishay
MPN: SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.14 | $0.14 |
| 10 | $0.11 | $1.10 |
| 100 | $0.09 | $9.00 |
| 500 | $0.078 | $39.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.07 | $70.00 |
SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 Overview
A TVS diode is a silicon avalanche device engineered to clamp fast-rising voltage transients before they can destroy sensitive downstream electronics. Within the power-management hierarchy, TVS diodes form the first line of circuit protection, sitting upstream of varistors and ESD arrays for higher-energy events, and complementing fuses and PTC devices that address sustained overcurrent faults.
Key features of the SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 include 600 W peak pulse power capability on a 10/1000 us waveform at a 0.01% duty cycle, very fast response time to transient overvoltage, low incremental surge resistance, a glass-passivated chip junction for long-term reliability, and a low-profile body that is ideal for automated pick-and-place assembly. The /52 grade features matte tin-plated, lead-free terminals in a UL94 V-0 flame-rated moulding compound.
Technically, the device operates through avalanche breakdown: when a surge such as an inductive load switching spike or a lightning-induced transient exceeds the 6.4 V minimum breakdown threshold, the junction conducts within nanoseconds and diverts surge current to ground, clamping the node below the 9.2 V maximum. The 5% breakdown tolerance grade ('A' suffix) gives designers tighter predictable protection thresholds than the standard tolerance grade.
Typical applications include protection of low-voltage DC supply rails (5 V logic and USB power), input protection on automotive and industrial sensor signal lines, shielding ICs and MOSFETs against switching-induced transients, and IEC 61000-4-2 style ESD robustness at board-level interfaces in consumer, computer, and telecommunication equipment.
A key design consideration is derating: peak pulse power scales down as ambient temperature rises and as surge duration extends beyond the 10/1000 us reference waveform, so engineers should verify clamping against the full line waveform spectrum rather than only the datasheet point.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from multiple manufacturers, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Peak Pulse Current (IPP), Series, RoHS Status, Reverse Standoff Voltage (VRWM).
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
SMBJ5.0CA-E3/52
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SMBJ5.0-E3/52
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SMBJ5.0A
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.024 / Unit
View Datasheet βSMBJ5.0A
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.024 / Unit
View Datasheet βSMBJ5.0A-E3
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | SMBJ (Surface-Mount TransZorb) |
| Peak Pulse Power (10/1000 us) | 600 W |
| Polarity | Unidirectional |
| Reverse Standoff Voltage (VRWM) | 5 V |
| Breakdown Voltage (VBR) Min | 6.4 V at 1 mA |
| Breakdown Voltage Tolerance | 5% (A suffix grade) |
| Maximum Clamping Voltage (VC) | 9.2 V |
| Peak Pulse Current (IPP) | 65.2 A at 10/1000 us |
| Package | DO-214AA (SMB) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Termination Finish | Matte tin-plated, lead-free |
| Case Material | UL94 V-0 flame-rated moulding compound |
| Junction Technology | Glass passivated chip junction |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 |
SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Cathode β Cathode terminal, marked by band; connects to protected positive rail in unidirectional configuration |
| Pin 2 | Anode β Anode terminal; connects to ground in unidirectional configuration |
Typical Applications
SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 is suitable for 6 applications: 5V DC Rail and USB Port Protection, Automotive Sensor and Signal Line Protection, Industrial PLC and Control I/O, Telecom and Networking Equipment, Consumer Electronics Board-Level ESD, Battery-Powered and IoT Device Input Protection.
5V DC Rail and USB Port Protection
The SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 is purpose-matched to 5 V rails: its 5 V reverse standoff voltage ensures no leakage conduction during normal operation, while the 6.4 V minimum breakdown and 9.2 V maximum clamp at 65.2 A absorb hot-plug transients and inductive kicks that commonly occur at USB and barrel-jack inputs. Placed directly at the connector with a short low-inductance ground return, the device clamps within nanoseconds, ahead of downstream regulator absolute-maximum limits. Pair it with a series ferrite bead and a resettable PTC to combine surge clamping with overcurrent limiting; the 600 W / 10-1000 us rating comfortably covers typical cable-discharge events.
Recommended
Automotive Sensor and Signal Line Protection
Automotive 5 V and 12 V-domain sensor signal lines are routinely stressed by load-dump-adjacent transients and inductive switching from actuators. The SMBJ5.0A-E3/52's glass-passivated chip junction provides stable avalanche behavior over the automotive temperature range, and the low-profile DO-214AA body suits high-density ECU boards and automated placement. With 600 W surge capability and low incremental surge resistance, it diverts repeated pulse events without significant clamping drift. On analog sensor lines run close to the 5 V standoff limit, the 5%-tolerance A grade guarantees clamping does not begin below 6.4 V, protecting signal fidelity while still intercepting destructive spikes before the ECU's ADC inputs.
Recommended
Industrial PLC and Control I/O
Factory I/O modules see transients induced by relay coils, solenoids, and long cable runs shared with motor power wiring. The SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 protects 5 V logic-domain input channels by clamping surges to below 9.2 V at up to 65.2 A peak pulse current on the 10/1000 us reference waveform, while its 0.01% duty cycle rating accommodates the repetitive pulse environment typical of industrial switching. Vishay's datasheet explicitly targets protection of ICs, MOSFETs, and sensor-unit signal lines for industrial equipment. Surface-mount DO-214AA packaging supports reflow assembly on standard PLC I/O boards, and the UL94 V-0 case compound meets panel flame-retardancy expectations.
Recommended
Telecom and Networking Equipment
Ethernet PHY ports, PoE-powered device front ends, and subscriber-line interfaces demand fast-response overvoltage clamping on data and power pairs. The SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 responds to transients with very fast avalanche turn-on, essential for nanosecond-scale ESD and cable-discharge events on exposed connectors, and its 600 W peak pulse power covers residual surge let-through after upstream protection stages. On 5 V-powered PHY rails the 5 V standoff avoids capacitive loading and leakage, while 9.2 V clamping stays below typical PHY absolute maximum ratings. Low profile placement directly at the magnetics or RJ45 pinout minimizes the loop inductance that otherwise dominates clamp performance at high frequencies.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Board-Level ESD
Consumer products - set-top boxes, appliance control boards, audio accessories - expose connectors to user handling and IEC 61000-4-2 style ESD. The SMBJ family is designed to protect against electrostatic discharge per IEC 61000-4-2 and MIL STD 883 Method 3015 system test methods. With 5 V standoff, 6.4 V breakdown, and 9.2 V clamping, the SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 shields 5 V charging inputs and accessory connectors without affecting standby power budgets, since leakage remains negligible below standoff. The low-profile DO-214AA body suits thin enclosures, and MSL 1 classification with matte-tin lead-free terminations simplifies mass-production reflow assembly and shelf-life management.
Recommended
Battery-Powered and IoT Device Input Protection
Battery packs and IoT nodes charged from wall adapters face miswiring events, adapter surges, and cable transients. The SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 protects 5 V single-cell charging rails with zero conduction at nominal 5 V, 6.4 V avalanche onset, and 9.2 V worst-case clamp at 65.2 A, keeping downstream charger IC inputs within their absolute maximum ratings during events. The 600 W rating absorbs the energy of short-duration transients that small-format varistors struggle with at low voltages. Its quiescent-free passive operation adds no power drain to sleep-current budgets, a key advantage over active clamp ICs, and the small SMB footprint fits dense wearables and smart-home sensor PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | SMBJ5.0CA-E3/52 | SMBJ5.0-E3/52 | SMBJ5.0A (Littelfuse) | SMBJ5.0A (ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | DO-214AA (SMB) | DO-214AA (SMB) - same | DO-214AA (SMB) - same | DO-214AA (SMB) - same | DO-214AA (SMB) - same |
| Brand | Vishay | Vishay | Vishay | Littelfuse | STMicroelectronics |
| Peak Pulse Power | 600 W | 600 W | 600 W | 600 W | 600 W |
| Reverse Standoff Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Polarity | Unidirectional | Bidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional |
| VBR Tolerance | 5% (A grade) | 5% (A grade) | Standard grade (wider tolerance) | 5% (A grade) | 5% (A grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Tighter 5% VBR tolerance with higher surge current (vs SMBJ5.0-E3/52)
- Multi-source drop-in availability (vs SMBJ5.0A (Littelfuse))
- Unidirectional avalanche clamp with forward conduction (vs SMBJ5.0CA-E3/52)
Design Notes
Clamping performance at surge speeds is dominated by layout inductance, not by the TVS itself. Place the SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 within a few millimeters of the connector pin being protected, with a wide, short trace to a low-impedance ground plane. Every nH of series inductance adds a voltage step of L * di/dt on top of the 9.2 V clamp; at 65 A in nanoseconds this can add many volts. Avoid routing the protected node through a via before reaching the TVS.
Derate the 600 W rating for waveform lengths longer than 10/1000 us and for elevated ambient temperature; the datasheet derating curves show reduced peak pulse power at temperature. Estimated: for a longer-duration event, peak current capability falls roughly in proportion to the derating factor, so verify the expected surge energy (I*t integral) against the derated curve rather than the headline 65.2 A figure. For repetitive events, keep duty cycle at or below the specified 0.01% or consult Vishay for pulse-duration power curves.
Do not confuse the unidirectional and bidirectional members: the unidirectional SMBJ5.0A-E3/52 exhibits a forward diode drop (roughly 0.7-1 V) for negative excursions, which is usually fine on DC rails but clips negative-going signals. Also remember the A suffix denotes the 5% breakdown tolerance grade - substituting the plain SMBJ5.0 grade raises worst-case clamp from 9.2 V to 9.6 V and lowers IPP to 62.5 A, which matters when the protected IC's absolute maximum is near 9 V.
Compliance Information
Listed as ROHS COMPLIANT in FindIC specifications; matte tin-plated lead-free terminations per Vishay datasheet features. Halogen-free and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
