SMAJ5.0 Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The SMAJ5.0 is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode manufactured by Littelfuse Inc., designed for general-purpose overvoltage protection in surface-mount applications. The device features a 5V reverse standoff voltage with a 9.66V maximum clamping voltage at peak pulse current of 44.6A, packaged in the DO-214AC (SMA) form factor. The SMAJ5.0 is currently listed as obsolete. Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary to maintain design continuity and ensure component availability for new production and field replacements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ)	5	V
Voltage - Breakdown (Min)	6.03	V
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp	9.66	V
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs)	44.6	A
Power - Peak Pulse	400	W
Operating Temperature Range	-65 to 150	°C (TJ)
Package / Case	DO-214AC, SMA	—
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the SMAJ5.0 is determined by strict alignment of the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 5V (required match)
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 9.66V or lower (acceptable range for protection function)
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): 44.6A or higher (equal or greater capacity)
Power - Peak Pulse: 400W or higher (equal or greater capacity)
Package / Case: DO-214AC, SMA (mechanical compatibility)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount (assembly compatibility)
RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant (regulatory requirement)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on clamping voltage performance:

Group A (Clamping Voltage 9.2V): Parts with lower clamping voltage provide tighter voltage regulation and are direct functional equivalents for the SMAJ5.0.

Group B (Clamping Voltage 13.4V): Parts with higher clamping voltage provide broader transient suppression but operate at a higher clamp point. These are functional alternatives where the higher clamp voltage is acceptable within the circuit design.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Voltage - Reverse Standoff (V)	Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp (V)	Current - Peak Pulse (A)	Power - Peak Pulse (W)	Operating Temperature (°C)	Package	Product Status
SMAJ5.0	Littelfuse Inc.	5	9.66	44.6	400	-65 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Obsolete
SMAJ5.0A	MDD	5	9.2	44.6	400	-50 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SZ1SMA5.0AT3G	Littelfuse Inc.	5	9.2	44.6	400	-65 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMAJ5.0A-13-F	Diodes Incorporated	5	9.2	44.6	400	-55 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMAJ5.0A-TP	Micro Commercial Co	5	9.2	44.6	400	-55 to 175	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMA6J5.0A-TP	Micro Commercial Co	5	9.2	65.2	600	-55 to 175	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMA6J5.0A-E3/5A	Vishay General Semiconductor	5	13.4	298 (8/20µs)	4000	-55 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMA6J5.0A-E3/61	Vishay General Semiconductor	5	13.4	298 (8/20µs)	600	-55 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active
SMA6J5.0A-M3/61	Vishay General Semiconductor	5	13.4	298 (8/20µs)	4000	-55 to 150	DO-214AC (SMA)	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Group A - 9.2V Clamping):

The following parts are recommended as direct functional replacements for the SMAJ5.0:

SZ1SMA5.0AT3G (Littelfuse Inc.): Maintains the original manufacturer lineage with identical reverse standoff voltage, clamping voltage, and peak pulse current. Extends operating temperature range to -65°C, matching the original SMAJ5.0 specification. AEC-Q101 automotive qualification provides enhanced reliability documentation. Active product status ensures long-term availability.
SMAJ5.0A (MDD): Meets all critical electrical parameters with 9.2V clamping voltage and 44.6A peak pulse current. Operating temperature range of -50°C to 150°C is acceptable for most general-purpose applications. Active product status with high inventory availability.
SMAJ5.0A-13-F (Diodes Incorporated): Provides equivalent electrical performance with 9.2V clamping and 44.6A peak pulse current. Operating temperature range of -55°C to 150°C covers extended industrial applications. Active product status with substantial inventory.
SMAJ5.0A-TP (Micro Commercial Co): Delivers equivalent electrical specifications with extended operating temperature range of -55°C to 175°C, suitable for high-temperature environments. Active product status with confirmed availability.

Secondary Substitutes (Group A - Enhanced Performance):

SMA6J5.0A-TP (Micro Commercial Co): Provides enhanced current handling capability (65.2A vs. 44.6A) and increased power dissipation (600W vs. 400W) while maintaining 9.2V clamping voltage. Extended temperature range to 175°C. Suitable for applications requiring higher transient energy absorption.

Alternative Substitutes (Group B - 13.4V Clamping):

The following parts operate at higher clamping voltage and are functional alternatives where circuit design permits:

SMA6J5.0A-E3/5A, SMA6J5.0A-E3/61, SMA6J5.0A-M3/61 (Vishay General Semiconductor): These TransZorb® devices provide significantly higher peak pulse current (298A at 8/20µs) and power dissipation (600W to 4000W). The 13.4V clamping voltage is higher than the original SMAJ5.0 specification and must be evaluated against circuit protection requirements. Suitable for applications requiring enhanced transient suppression capability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can SMAJ5.0A directly replace SMAJ5.0 in existing designs?

A: Yes. SMAJ5.0A meets all critical electrical parameters: 5V reverse standoff voltage, 9.2V clamping voltage (lower than original 9.66V, providing tighter regulation), 44.6A peak pulse current, and 400W power dissipation. The DO-214AC (SMA) package is mechanically identical. Operating temperature range of -50°C to 150°C is acceptable for general-purpose applications unless the original design specifically requires the -65°C lower limit.

Q: What is the difference between Group A and Group B substitutes?

A: Group A substitutes (9.2V clamping) provide voltage regulation characteristics closely aligned with the original SMAJ5.0 (9.66V clamping). Group B substitutes (13.4V clamping) operate at a higher clamp point, allowing higher transient voltages before suppression. Group B parts offer enhanced current handling and power dissipation but are suitable only if the circuit design permits the higher clamping voltage.

Q: Why does SZ1SMA5.0AT3G have different electrical specifications than SMAJ5.0A?

A: SZ1SMA5.0AT3G is the manufacturer-recommended replacement from Littelfuse Inc., the original SMAJ5.0 manufacturer. It features 9.2V clamping voltage (vs. 9.66V original) and maintains the full -65°C to 150°C operating temperature range. The lower clamping voltage provides improved voltage regulation. AEC-Q101 automotive qualification indicates enhanced reliability documentation.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant, meeting regulatory requirements for hazardous substance restrictions.

Q: Can SMA6J5.0A-TP be used in place of SMAJ5.0A?

A: Yes, with consideration for enhanced performance. SMA6J5.0A-TP maintains 9.2V clamping voltage and 5V reverse standoff voltage but provides higher peak pulse current (65.2A vs. 44.6A) and power dissipation (600W vs. 400W). The extended operating temperature range to 175°C is beneficial for high-temperature applications. Use this part when enhanced transient suppression capability is required or beneficial.

Q: What packaging options are available for these substitutes?

A: All substitute parts use the DO-214AC (SMA) surface-mount package, identical to the original SMAJ5.0. Packaging formats vary by manufacturer: some are supplied in Tape & Reel (TR), others in Cut Tape (CT) with Digi-Reel®. Verify packaging format with your supplier to match assembly requirements.

Q: Which substitute offers the best long-term availability?

A: SZ1SMA5.0AT3G (Littelfuse Inc.) and SMAJ5.0A (MDD) both have active product status with substantial inventory levels (35,100 and 64,115 units respectively). Both are suitable for long-term design commitments.

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