SA16C Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) Diode - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SA16C is a 16V Zener transient voltage suppressor diode manufactured by Littelfuse Inc. in DO-204AC (DO-15) axial through-hole package. This part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement. The SA16C provides 27.3V clamping voltage at peak pulse current with 500W peak pulse power rating, suitable for general-purpose transient voltage suppression applications.

Substiute Parts

SA16C

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 1142SA16C Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

SA16CA

Taiwan Semiconductor CorporationIn Stock: 1643SA16CA Datasheet

DirectRFQ

P5KE16CA-TP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 943P5KE16CA-TP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

SA16CA-AP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 1239SA16CA-AP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

SA16CA-BP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 1173SA16CA-BP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

SA16CA-TP

Micro Commercial CoIn Stock: 2813SA16CA-TP Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the SA16C are qualified based on the following critical parameters that must remain within acceptable tolerances:

• Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 16V (identical)
• Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 26V to 27.3V range (functionally equivalent)
• Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): 19.2A to 20A (within operational margin)
• Power - Peak Pulse: 500W (identical)
• Package / Case: DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial (identical form factor)
• Mounting Type: Through Hole (identical)
• Operating Temperature Range: -55°C minimum to 175°C maximum (compatible)
• Type: Zener, Bidirectional Channels: 1 (identical function)

All substitute parts maintain these core electrical and mechanical specifications, ensuring direct functional replacement in existing circuit designs.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

All substitute parts listed maintain electrical and mechanical compatibility with the SA16C. Selection should be based on the following factors:

Product Status: SA16CA (Taiwan Semiconductor) and all Micro Commercial variants (P5KE16CA-TP, SA16CA-AP, SA16CA-BP, SA16CA-TP) are active products, providing long-term availability compared to the obsolete SA16C.

Compliance & Certifications: SA16CA and SA16CA-TP carry ROHS3 compliance and MSL 1 (Unlimited) ratings, matching the original SA16C specifications. All substitute parts carry REACH Unaffected status where specified.

Packaging Availability: SA16CA-TP is available in Cut Tape (CT) packaging with highest inventory (2793 pcs), SA16CA in Tape & Reel (TR) with 1621 pcs, and P5KE16CA-TP in Bulk with 857 pcs. Packaging selection depends on procurement volume and assembly requirements.

Voltage Clamping Tolerance: Substitute parts specify 26V clamping versus the SA16C's 27.3V. This 1.3V reduction remains within acceptable transient suppression margins for general-purpose applications where the original 16V standoff voltage is the primary design parameter.

Temperature Range: P5KE16CA-TP extends the minimum operating temperature to -65°C, providing enhanced cold-temperature performance if required by application specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can SA16CA directly replace SA16C in existing designs? A: Yes. SA16CA maintains identical reverse standoff voltage (16V), peak pulse power (500W), package form factor (DO-204AC/DO-15), and mounting type (through-hole). The 1.3V reduction in clamping voltage (26V vs 27.3V) is within acceptable tolerance for general-purpose transient suppression circuits.

Q: What is the difference between SA16CA variants (SA16CA-TP, SA16CA-AP, SA16CA-BP)? A: All three variants share identical electrical specifications (16V standoff, 26V clamping, 19.6A peak pulse). Differences are in packaging format: SA16CA-TP is Cut Tape (CT), SA16CA-AP and SA16CA-BP are Bulk. Selection depends on procurement volume and assembly line requirements.

Q: Why does P5KE16CA-TP show lower peak pulse current (19.2A vs 19.6A)? A: P5KE16CA-TP maintains 500W peak pulse power with 19.2A current, meeting the same power dissipation specification as SA16C. The slight current reduction is offset by equivalent power handling capability.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant? A: SA16CA and SA16CA-TP are explicitly ROHS3 compliant with MSL 1 (Unlimited) ratings, matching SA16C specifications. Compliance status for P5KE16CA-TP, SA16CA-AP, and SA16CA-BP is not specified in available documentation.

Q: Which substitute part offers the best long-term availability? A: SA16CA-TP (Micro Commercial) has the highest current inventory (2793 pcs) and active product status, providing optimal availability for ongoing procurement requirements.

Q: Can I use P5KE16CA-TP in applications requiring -55°C minimum temperature operation? A: P5KE16CA-TP supports -65°C minimum temperature, exceeding the -55°C requirement of SA16C. It is suitable for applications requiring extended cold-temperature performance.