LCE20 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The LCE20 is a unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode manufactured by Littelfuse Inc., designed for general-purpose transient voltage protection applications. It features a 20V reverse standoff voltage with a 34.02V maximum clamping voltage and 46A peak pulse current capability in a through-hole DO-201 package. The LCE20 is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitute parts necessary for new designs and ongoing production requirements. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility across voltage ratings, current handling, and thermal operating ranges while accommodating different package configurations and manufacturer specifications.

Substiute Parts

LCE20

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 842LCE20 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

LCE20A

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 1615LCE20A Datasheet

DirectRFQ

SA20A

Fairchild SemiconductorIn Stock: 300483SA20A Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

5KP20A-TP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 10335KP20A-TP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

5KP20E3/TR13

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 11575KP20E3/TR13 Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

SA20A-BP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 816SA20A-BP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the LCE20 are qualified based on the following electrical and mechanical criteria:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

• Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 20V (exact match required)
• Voltage - Breakdown (Min): 21.02V to 22.2V (acceptable range)
• Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 32.4V to 35.8V (acceptable range)
• Operating Temperature Range: -55°C to 175°C (exact match required)
• Type: Zener diode, unidirectional, single channel
• Applications: General Purpose transient voltage suppression
• RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant (required)
• Mounting Type: Through Hole (required)

Secondary Considerations:

• Current - Peak Pulse: Minimum 15.7A (LCE20 specifies 46A; lower values acceptable for reduced transient energy applications)
• Power - Peak Pulse: Minimum 500W (LCE20 specifies 1500W; higher values provide additional margin)
• Package / Case: DO-201, DO-204AC (DO-15), or R-6 axial configurations

Substitutes are grouped by active product status and availability, with preference for parts maintaining the highest current and power ratings closest to the original specification.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Tier 1 - Direct Replacement (Active Status): LCE20A is the primary substitute, manufactured by Littelfuse Inc. with active product status. It maintains identical current and power ratings (46A, 1500W) and package compatibility (DO-201AA, DO-27). Voltage parameters fall within acceptable substitution ranges. This part provides the closest functional equivalence to the obsolete LCE20.

Tier 2 - High-Power Alternative (Active Status): 5KP20E3/TR13 (Microchip Technology) and 5KP20A-TP (Micro Commercial Co) offer significantly higher power dissipation (5000W) and improved transient handling. 5KP20E3/TR13 provides the highest peak pulse current (140A) among available substitutes. These parts are suitable for applications requiring enhanced transient energy absorption. Package configurations differ (P600 and R-6 respectively), requiring PCB layout verification.

Tier 3 - Lower-Current Alternative (Mixed Status): SA20A and SA20A-BP are suitable for applications with reduced transient current requirements (15.7A, 500W). SA20A is obsolete; SA20A-BP is active. Both use DO-204AC (DO-15) package, requiring mechanical compatibility verification. These parts are appropriate for lower-energy transient suppression scenarios.

Compliance Verification: All substitute parts maintain ROHS3 compliance and -55°C to 175°C operating temperature specifications. Selection should prioritize active product status parts (LCE20A, 5KP20A-TP, 5KP20E3/TR13, SA20A-BP) for new designs and long-term availability assurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can LCE20A directly replace LCE20 in existing designs? A: Yes. LCE20A maintains identical voltage standoff (20V), equivalent clamping voltage (32.4V vs. 34.02V), matching current and power ratings (46A, 1500W), and compatible package configuration (DO-201AA, DO-27). No circuit modifications are required.

Q: What is the difference between 5KP20A-TP and 5KP20E3/TR13? A: Both parts share identical voltage specifications (20V standoff, 22.2V breakdown, 32.4V to 35.8V clamping). The primary difference is peak pulse current: 5KP20E3/TR13 provides 140A versus unspecified current for 5KP20A-TP. 5KP20E3/TR13 offers superior transient energy handling. Package configurations differ (P600 vs. R-6), requiring PCB layout compatibility assessment.

Q: Can SA20A or SA20A-BP replace LCE20 in high-current applications? A: No. SA20A and SA20A-BP are rated for 15.7A peak pulse current, significantly lower than LCE20's 46A specification. These parts are suitable only for applications with reduced transient current requirements and lower energy dissipation (500W vs. 1500W).

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant? A: Yes. All listed substitute parts maintain ROHS3 compliance, matching the original LCE20 specification.

Q: What package considerations apply when selecting substitutes? A: LCE20A uses identical DO-201AA/DO-27 packages. SA20A and SA20A-BP use DO-204AC (DO-15) packages, requiring PCB footprint verification. 5KP20A-TP uses R-6 package, and 5KP20E3/TR13 uses P600 package. Mechanical compatibility must be confirmed before implementation.

Q: Which substitute offers the best long-term availability? A: LCE20A (Littelfuse Inc., active status) provides the most direct replacement with assured availability. 5KP20A-TP, 5KP20E3/TR13, and SA20A-BP also maintain active product status, ensuring continued supply for new production.