SA36AG Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SA36AG is a unidirectional Zener transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode manufactured by Littelfuse Inc., rated for 36V reverse standoff with 58.1V maximum clamping voltage and 8.6A peak pulse current. Housed in a DO-204AC (DO-15) axial through-hole package, it is designed for general-purpose transient voltage protection applications. The SA36AG is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement.

Key Parameters

Parameter	SA36AG
Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ)	36V
Voltage - Breakdown (Min)	40V
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp	58.1V
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs)	8.6A
Power - Peak Pulse	500W
Type	Zener
Unidirectional Channels	1
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
Operating Temperature	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the SA36AG is determined by the following critical parameters:

Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 36V (exact match required)
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 58.1V (exact match required)
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): 8.6A minimum
Power - Peak Pulse: 500W minimum
Type: Zener, unidirectional
Mounting Type: Through Hole
Package / Case: DO-204AC (DO-15) or compatible axial configuration

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category A: Direct Electrical Equivalents (DO-204AC/DO-15 Package) Parts with matching voltage ratings, clamping characteristics, and comparable peak pulse current ratings in the same package footprint.

Category B: Higher-Performance Alternatives (P600 Package) Parts with identical voltage ratings and clamping characteristics but significantly higher peak pulse current and power dissipation ratings in a larger through-hole package.

Category C: Lower-Performance Alternatives Parts with matching voltage ratings but reduced peak pulse current ratings, suitable only for applications with lower transient energy requirements.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Voltage - Reverse Standoff	Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp	Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs)	Power - Peak Pulse	Package / Case	Operating Temperature	Product Status
SA36AG	Littelfuse Inc.	36V	58.1V	8.6A	500W	DO-204AC (DO-15)	-55°C ~ 150°C	Obsolete
SA36A	Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation	36V	58.1V	9A	500W	DO-204AC (DO-15)	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
SA36A-B	Littelfuse Inc.	36V	58.1V	8.8A	500W	DO-204AC (DO-15)	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
SLD36U-017	Littelfuse Inc.	36V	58.1V	87.8A	5000W	P600	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
SLD36U-017-B	Littelfuse Inc.	36V	58.1V	87.8A	5000W	P600	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
1N8166	Microchip Technology	36V	59.1V	2.54A	150W	Axial	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
P5KE36A-AP	Micro Commercial Co	36V	58.1V	8.6A	500W	DO-15	-65°C ~ 175°C	Active
P5KE36A-BP	Micro Commercial Co	36V	58.1V	8.6A	500W	DO-15	-65°C ~ 175°C	Active
P5KE36A-TP	Micro Commercial Co	36V	58.1V	8.6A	500W	DO-15	-65°C ~ 175°C	Active
SA36A-E3/54	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	36V	58.1V	8.6A	500W	DO-204AC (DO-15)	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active
SA36A-TP	Micro Commercial Co	36V	58.1V	8.8A	500W	DO-15	-55°C ~ 175°C	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Direct Replacement)

SA36A-E3/54 (Vishay) and SA36A-B (Littelfuse) are the preferred direct replacements for SA36AG. Both maintain identical voltage ratings (36V standoff, 58.1V clamping) and equivalent peak pulse current specifications. SA36A-E3/54 offers extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 175°C) and ROHS3 compliance. SA36A-B is manufactured by the original supplier and provides continuity with Littelfuse product lineage.

Secondary Substitutes (Electrical Equivalents)

P5KE36A-AP, P5KE36A-BP, and P5KE36A-TP (Micro Commercial Co) provide identical electrical performance with matching voltage and current ratings. These parts are active products with extended temperature range (-65°C to 175°C) and are suitable for applications requiring broader thermal operating margins.

SA36A (Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation) offers slightly higher peak pulse current (9A vs. 8.6A) with extended operating temperature range, providing additional design margin for transient protection.

Higher-Performance Alternative

SLD36U-017 and SLD36U-017-B (Littelfuse) maintain identical voltage characteristics but provide 87.8A peak pulse current and 5kW power dissipation in a P600 package. These are suitable for applications requiring higher transient energy absorption. Both parts carry AEC-Q101 automotive qualification and extended operating temperature range.

Lower-Performance Alternative

1N8166 (Microchip Technology) maintains the 36V standoff voltage but provides only 2.54A peak pulse current and 150W power dissipation. This part is suitable only for applications with significantly reduced transient energy requirements and is not RoHS compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can SA36A directly replace SA36AG in existing designs?

A: Yes. SA36A maintains identical voltage ratings (36V standoff, 58.1V clamping) and equivalent peak pulse current (9A vs. 8.6A). The DO-204AC (DO-15) axial package is mechanically and electrically compatible. Extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 175°C) provides additional design margin.

Q: What is the difference between SA36A-B and SA36A-E3/54?

A: Both are direct electrical equivalents with identical voltage and current ratings. SA36A-B is supplied by Littelfuse in bulk packaging. SA36A-E3/54 is supplied by Vishay in cut tape packaging and offers higher inventory availability. Operating temperature ranges are identical (-55°C to 175°C).

Q: When should SLD36U-017 be used instead of SA36A?

A: SLD36U-017 is specified when applications require higher transient energy absorption. It provides 87.8A peak pulse current and 5kW power dissipation compared to 8.6A and 500W for SA36A. The larger P600 package accommodates higher power dissipation. AEC-Q101 qualification makes it suitable for automotive applications.

Q: Are P5KE36A variants suitable replacements?

A: Yes. P5KE36A-AP, P5KE36A-BP, and P5KE36A-TP provide identical electrical performance (36V standoff, 58.1V clamping, 8.6A peak pulse current, 500W power). Extended operating temperature range (-65°C to 175°C) exceeds SA36AG specifications. Packaging differences (DO-15 vs. DO-204AC) are functionally equivalent for through-hole applications.

Q: Why is 1N8166 not recommended as a primary substitute?

A: 1N8166 provides only 2.54A peak pulse current and 150W power dissipation, significantly below SA36AG specifications (8.6A, 500W). It is suitable only for applications with substantially lower transient energy requirements. Additionally, 1N8166 is not RoHS compliant.

Q: What packaging considerations apply to substitute selection?

A: SA36AG uses DO-204AC (DO-15) axial through-hole packaging. Direct substitutes SA36A, SA36A-B, SA36A-E3/54, and P5KE36A variants maintain compatible axial through-hole configurations. SLD36U-017 uses P600 packaging, which is also through-hole but physically larger. Verify PCB footprint compatibility before substitution.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: SA36A-E3/54, SA36A-B, SA36A, P5KE36A variants, and SLD36U-017 are ROHS3 compliant. 1N8166 is not RoHS compliant. Verify compliance requirements for your application before selection.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message