SA90CA Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) Diode - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SA90CA is a 90V Zener transient voltage suppressor diode manufactured by onsemi in DO-15 axial through-hole packaging. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement. The SA90CA provides transient voltage suppression for general-purpose applications with a 146V maximum clamping voltage and 3.4A peak pulse current rating. Substitute parts must maintain electrical equivalence across voltage ratings, clamping characteristics, and current handling capabilities while accommodating modern packaging and availability requirements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ)	90	V
Voltage - Breakdown (Min)	100	V
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp	146	V
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs)	3.4	A
Power - Peak Pulse	500	W
Type	Zener	-
Bidirectional Channels	1	-
Mounting Type	Through Hole	-
Package / Case	DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial	-
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)	-

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the SA90CA are classified into two categories based on substitution relationship type and electrical equivalence:

Direct Substitutes (Manufacturer Variants): Parts that maintain identical electrical specifications and are offered by alternative manufacturers or as packaging variants of the original design. These include:

SA90CA (Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation) - Active status, tape & reel packaging
SA90CA-E3/54 (Vishay TransZorb®) - Active status, commercial grade
SA90CAHE3/54 (Vishay TransZorb®) - Active status, automotive grade with AEC-Q101 qualification

Similar Substitutes (Functional Equivalents): Parts that maintain the core electrical parameters (90V standoff, 146V clamping, 3.4A peak pulse) but may differ in manufacturer, base product series, or packaging configuration:

P5KE90CA-AP, P5KE90CA-BP, P5KE90CA-TP (Micro Commercial Co) - P5KE series variants
SA90CA-AP, SA90CA-BP, SA90CA-TP (Micro Commercial Co) - SA90 series variants with bulk packaging

Substitution Criteria:

Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 90V (fixed)
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 146V (fixed)
Current - Peak Pulse: 3.4A minimum (4.6A acceptable)
Power - Peak Pulse: 500W (fixed)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (required)
Package / Case: DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial (compatible)
Type: Zener, Bidirectional, Single Channel (fixed)

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Status	Standoff (V)	Breakdown Min (V)	Clamping Max (V)	Peak Pulse (A)	Power (W)	Temp Range (°C)	Packaging	RoHS
SA90CA	onsemi	Obsolete	90	100	146	3.4	500	-	DO-15	-
SA90CA	Taiwan Semiconductor	Active	90	100	146	4.6	500	-55 to 175	DO-204AC (TR)	ROHS3
SA90CA-E3/54	Vishay	Active	90	100	146	3.4	500	-55 to 175	DO-204AC (TR)	ROHS3
SA90CAHE3/54	Vishay	Active	90	100	146	3.4	500	-55 to 175	DO-204AC (TR)	ROHS3
P5KE90CA-AP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	3.4	500	-65 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-
P5KE90CA-BP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	3.4	500	-65 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-
P5KE90CA-TP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	3.4	500	-65 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-
SA90CA-AP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	4.6	500	-55 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-
SA90CA-BP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	4.6	500	-55 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-
SA90CA-TP	Micro Commercial Co	Active	90	100	146	4.6	500	-55 to 175	DO-15 (Bulk)	-

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Active Production (Recommended Primary Choices):

The SA90CA from Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation and SA90CA-E3/54 from Vishay are the preferred direct substitutes. Both maintain active product status, offer ROHS3 compliance, and provide specified operating temperature ranges (-55°C to 175°C). The Taiwan Semiconductor variant offers tape & reel packaging suitable for automated assembly, while the Vishay TransZorb® variant provides established commercial-grade reliability.

For Automotive Applications:

The SA90CAHE3/54 from Vishay is qualified to AEC-Q101 automotive standards and carries active product status. This part is appropriate for automotive-grade designs requiring formal qualification documentation.

For Extended Temperature Range:

The P5KE90CA series (AP, BP, TP variants) from Micro Commercial Co extends the operating temperature range to -65°C to 175°C, providing additional margin for extreme environment applications. These parts maintain identical electrical specifications and through-hole DO-15 packaging.

For Bulk Procurement:

The SA90CA-AP, SA90CA-BP, and SA90CA-TP variants from Micro Commercial Co offer bulk packaging options with active product status and are electrically equivalent to the original SA90CA specification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a substitute part with 4.6A peak pulse rating instead of 3.4A?

A: Yes. The 4.6A rating exceeds the minimum 3.4A requirement and maintains full electrical equivalence. Higher peak pulse current capability does not compromise circuit compatibility.

Q: What is the difference between DO-15 and DO-204AC packaging?

A: DO-15 and DO-204AC are equivalent designations for the same axial through-hole package. Both refer to a two-lead cylindrical component with identical mechanical and electrical characteristics. Parts specified as DO-204AC (DO-15) are directly compatible with DO-15 footprints.

Q: Is the Vishay SA90CAHE3/54 suitable for non-automotive applications?

A: Yes. The automotive qualification (AEC-Q101) indicates enhanced reliability and process control but does not restrict use in general-purpose applications. This part exceeds the requirements for standard commercial designs.

Q: What does the suffix (AP, BP, TP) indicate on Micro Commercial Co parts?

A: These suffixes denote packaging and tape configuration variants within the same electrical specification. All three variants (AP, BP, TP) are electrically identical and interchangeable for circuit design purposes.

Q: Can I substitute the obsolete onsemi SA90CA with an active part from a different manufacturer?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts maintain the core electrical parameters (90V standoff, 146V clamping, 3.4A minimum peak pulse) and through-hole mounting. Electrical equivalence is guaranteed across all active variants.

Q: Does operating temperature range affect substitution compatibility?

A: Operating temperature range does not affect electrical equivalence for the core transient suppression function. Parts with extended ranges (-65°C to 175°C) provide additional design margin but are fully compatible with designs specified for standard ranges (-55°C to 175°C).

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