1SMA20CAT3 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 1SMA20CAT3 is a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode manufactured by onsemi in the DO-214AC (SMA) surface mount package. This bidirectional Zener diode is designed for transient overvoltage protection with a 20V reverse standoff voltage and 32.4V maximum clamping voltage at peak pulse current. The part is currently obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and production requirements.

Substiute Parts

1SMA20CAT3

onsemiIn Stock: 12201SMA20CAT3 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

SMAJ20CA

MDDIn Stock: 20330SMAJ20CA Datasheet

DirectRFQ

SMAJ20CA

MDDIn Stock: 20330SMAJ20CA Datasheet

DirectRFQ

SM4T23CAY

STMicroelectronicsIn Stock: 6155SM4T23CAY Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

SMA6J20CA-TR

STMicroelectronicsIn Stock: 5213SMA6J20CA-TR Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

SMAJ20CA-13-F

Diodes IncorporatedIn Stock: 17603SMAJ20CA-13-F Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

SMAJ20CA-TP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 3986SMAJ20CA-TP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

SMAJ20CAE3/TR13

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 879SMAJ20CAE3/TR13 Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

TV04A200JB-G

Comchip TechnologyIn Stock: 1013TV04A200JB-G Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

TV04A200JB-HF

Comchip TechnologyIn Stock: 836TV04A200JB-HF Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 1SMA20CAT3 is determined by the following critical electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

• Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 20V (exact match required)
• Voltage - Breakdown (Min): 22.2V (exact match required)
• Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 32.4V (exact match required)
• Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): 12.3A (nominal match acceptable within ±3A tolerance)
• Power - Peak Pulse: 400W (minimum requirement)
• Package / Case: DO-214AC, SMA (exact match required)
• Mounting Type: Surface Mount (exact match required)

Direct Equivalents maintain all electrical specifications and are pin-for-pin compatible replacements.

Similar Alternatives share the same voltage ratings and package but differ in peak pulse current handling or clamping voltage characteristics. These are suitable where the application can tolerate higher current capacity or different clamping performance.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Equivalents (Recommended Primary Choices):

SMAJ20CA-13-F (Diodes Incorporated), SMAJ20CA-TP (Micro Commercial Co), and TV04A200JB-G (Comchip Technology) are direct electrical equivalents with identical voltage ratings, clamping voltage, and peak pulse current specifications. All three are active products with ROHS3 compliance, making them suitable for new designs and production transitions from the obsolete 1SMA20CAT3.

SMAJ20CA (MDD) provides an identical electrical match with active product status and ROHS3 compliance. The operating temperature range is slightly reduced (-50°C to 150°C versus -65°C to 150°C), which may be acceptable depending on application requirements.

Enhanced Performance Alternatives:

SMAJ20CAE3/TR13 (Microchip Technology) maintains the same voltage specifications and package while offering increased peak pulse current (15.4A) and power dissipation (500W). This part preserves the original operating temperature range (-65°C to 150°C) and is suitable for applications requiring additional margin.

TV04A200JB-HF (Comchip Technology) is functionally identical to TV04A200JB-G with the same electrical specifications and active product status.

Higher Current Capacity Alternatives:

SM4T23CAY (STMicroelectronics) and SMA6J20CA-TR (STMicroelectronics) share the same 20V reverse standoff and 22.2V breakdown voltage but feature significantly higher peak pulse current ratings (54A and 93A respectively) and higher clamping voltages (42.8V and 36.8V). These are suitable only where the application circuit can tolerate the increased clamping voltage without affecting downstream components.

All substitute parts are available in active product status with ROHS3 compliance, eliminating the compliance concerns associated with the obsolete 1SMA20CAT3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use SMAJ20CA-13-F as a direct replacement for 1SMA20CAT3?

A: Yes. SMAJ20CA-13-F matches all critical electrical parameters: 20V reverse standoff, 22.2V breakdown voltage, 32.4V clamping voltage, and 12.3A peak pulse current. The DO-214AC (SMA) package is identical, and the part is pin-for-pin compatible. SMAJ20CA-13-F is an active product with ROHS3 compliance.

Q: What is the difference between the direct equivalents and the higher current alternatives?

A: Direct equivalents (SMAJ20CA-13-F, SMAJ20CA-TP, TV04A200JB-G) maintain the exact 32.4V clamping voltage and 12.3A peak pulse current of the original part. Higher current alternatives (SM4T23CAY, SMA6J20CA-TR) provide increased current handling but with higher clamping voltages (42.8V and 36.8V respectively). Use direct equivalents for drop-in replacement; use higher current alternatives only if your circuit design accommodates the increased clamping voltage.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant, unlike the original 1SMA20CAT3 which is RoHS non-compliant. This compliance improvement is beneficial for new designs and production environments with RoHS requirements.

Q: Does operating temperature range affect part selection?

A: Most substitute parts operate from -55°C to 150°C or -55°C to 175°C. The original 1SMA20CAT3 operates from -65°C to 150°C. SMAJ20CAE3/TR13 and SMAJ20CA-TP extend the upper temperature limit to 175°C. If your application requires the full -65°C lower limit, select SMAJ20CAE3/TR13 or SMAJ20CA (which maintains -50°C minimum). For most applications, -55°C minimum is acceptable.

Q: Can I use TV04A200JB-G and TV04A200JB-HF interchangeably?

A: Yes. Both parts are functionally identical with the same electrical specifications, package, and active product status. The suffix difference (-G versus -HF) indicates different manufacturing or packaging variants but does not affect electrical performance or compatibility.

Q: What inventory considerations should I account for?

A: SMAJ20CA (MDD) offers the highest inventory availability at 20,300 pieces. SMAJ20CA-13-F (Diodes Incorporated) has 17,587 pieces available. Other alternatives have lower stock levels. For high-volume production transitions, SMAJ20CA or SMAJ20CA-13-F are preferred choices based on availability.