SMCJ5.0 Transient Voltage Suppressor Diode - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SMCJ5.0 is a unidirectional Zener transient voltage suppressor 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 163A, housed in a DO-214AB (SMC) package. The original part is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of active equivalent and substitute components that maintain functional compatibility within the specified electrical and mechanical parameters.

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)	163	A
Power - Peak Pulse	1500	W
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C
Package / Case	DO-214AB, SMC	—
Type	Zener	—
Unidirectional Channels	1	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the SMCJ5.0 is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Voltage - Reverse Standoff: 5V (exact match required)
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: 9.2V to 9.66V (acceptable range for functional equivalence)
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): 163A minimum (equal or greater acceptable)
Power - Peak Pulse: 1500W minimum (equal or greater acceptable)
Package / Case: DO-214AB or SMC (mechanical compatibility)
Type: Zener, Unidirectional (1 channel)
Operating Temperature: -55°C minimum to 150°C maximum (or extended range)
RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level: 1 (Unlimited)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on electrical performance:

Category A - Direct Electrical Equivalents (163A @ 9.2V clamping): Parts with identical peak pulse current and clamping voltage within acceptable tolerance. These include SMCJ5.0A variants from EVVO Semi, Diodes Incorporated, Vishay, Micro Commercial Co, and Microchip Technology.

Category B - Enhanced Performance Substitutes (326.1A @ 9.2V clamping): The 3.0SMCJ5.0A-13 from Diodes Incorporated provides double the peak pulse current and power dissipation capability while maintaining the same clamping voltage and reverse standoff voltage, suitable for applications requiring higher transient energy absorption.

Category C - Alternative Clamping Voltage (120A @ 8.5V clamping): The SM5908 from STMicroelectronics operates at a lower clamping voltage (8.5V) with reduced peak pulse current (120A), applicable only where the lower clamping voltage is acceptable within circuit design margins.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Voltage - Reverse Standoff (V)	Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp (V)	Current - Peak Pulse (A)	Power - Peak Pulse (W)	Operating Temperature (°C)	Package / Case	Product Status
SMCJ5.0	Littelfuse Inc.	5	9.66	163	1500	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Obsolete
SMCJ5.0A	EVVO Semi	5	9.2	163	1500	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
3.0SMCJ5.0A-13	Diodes Incorporated	5	9.2	326.1	3000	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SM5908	STMicroelectronics	5	8.5	120	1500	-55 to 175	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SMCJ5.0A-13-F	Diodes Incorporated	5	9.2	163	1500	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SMCJ5.0A-M3/57T	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	5	9.2	163	1500	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SMCJ5.0A-M3/9AT	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	5	9.2	163	1500	-55 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SMCJ5.0A-TP	Micro Commercial Co	5	9.2	163	1500	-55 to 175	DO-214AB, SMC	Active
SMCJ5.0AE3/TR13	Microchip Technology	5	9.2	163	1500	-65 to 150	DO-214AB, SMC	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Category A - Direct Equivalents):

SMCJ5.0A from EVVO Semi, SMCJ5.0A-13-F from Diodes Incorporated, SMCJ5.0A-M3/57T and SMCJ5.0A-M3/9AT from Vishay, SMCJ5.0A-TP from Micro Commercial Co, and SMCJ5.0AE3/TR13 from Microchip Technology are functionally equivalent to the original SMCJ5.0. All maintain the 5V reverse standoff voltage, 9.2V clamping voltage, 163A peak pulse current, and 1500W power dissipation. All are active products with ROHS3 compliance and MSL 1 rating. Selection among these options is based on packaging format (Cut Tape, Tape & Reel), manufacturer availability, and inventory requirements.

Enhanced Performance Alternative (Category B):

The 3.0SMCJ5.0A-13 from Diodes Incorporated provides double the peak pulse current (326.1A) and power dissipation (3000W) while maintaining identical voltage parameters. This part is suitable for applications requiring higher transient energy absorption capability within the same package footprint and voltage class.

Alternative Clamping Voltage Option (Category C):

The SM5908 from STMicroelectronics operates at 8.5V clamping voltage with 120A peak pulse current. This part is applicable only in circuit designs where the lower clamping voltage is acceptable and where the reduced peak pulse current meets application requirements. The extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 175°C) provides additional thermal margin compared to the original specification.

All recommended substitutes are active products with current manufacturing status, ROHS3 compliance, and MSL 1 moisture sensitivity rating, ensuring long-term supply availability and environmental regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can SMCJ5.0A variants with 9.2V clamping voltage replace the original SMCJ5.0 with 9.66V clamping voltage?

A: Yes. The 9.2V clamping voltage of SMCJ5.0A variants is within acceptable substitution tolerance for the original 9.66V specification. Both maintain the same 5V reverse standoff voltage, 163A peak pulse current, and 1500W power dissipation. Circuit design margins must accommodate the 0.46V reduction in maximum clamping voltage.

Q: What is the difference between SMCJ5.0A-M3/57T and SMCJ5.0A-M3/9AT?

A: Both parts are manufactured by Vishay and share identical electrical specifications (5V standoff, 9.2V clamping, 163A peak pulse current, 1500W power). The designations M3/57T and M3/9AT indicate different packaging tape configurations and reel specifications for automated assembly. Selection depends on your procurement and assembly equipment requirements.

Q: Is the 3.0SMCJ5.0A-13 a direct replacement for SMCJ5.0?

A: The 3.0SMCJ5.0A-13 is electrically compatible but provides enhanced performance. It maintains the same 5V reverse standoff and 9.2V clamping voltage but doubles the peak pulse current (326.1A) and power dissipation (3000W). It is a suitable replacement where higher transient energy absorption is beneficial or required, with no negative impact on circuits designed for the original specifications.

Q: Can SM5908 replace SMCJ5.0 in all applications?

A: SM5908 is not a direct replacement. While it maintains the 5V reverse standoff voltage and 1500W power dissipation, it operates at a lower 8.5V clamping voltage and reduced 120A peak pulse current. Use SM5908 only in applications where the lower clamping voltage is acceptable within circuit design margins and where the reduced peak pulse current is sufficient for transient protection requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts available in the same DO-214AB (SMC) package?

A: Yes. All recommended substitute parts are housed in the DO-214AB (SMC) surface-mount package, ensuring mechanical and footprint compatibility with the original SMCJ5.0. Packaging format variations (Cut Tape, Tape & Reel) affect procurement and assembly logistics but not physical compatibility.

Q: Do all substitute parts meet RoHS3 and MSL 1 requirements?

A: Yes. All recommended substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant and carry MSL 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity rating, matching the environmental and regulatory compliance of the original SMCJ5.0.

Q: What is the operating temperature range difference between substitutes?

A: Most substitutes operate within -55°C to 150°C, matching the original specification. SMCJ5.0A-TP extends to -55°C to 175°C, and SMCJ5.0AE3/TR13 extends to -65°C to 150°C. Extended temperature ranges provide additional thermal margin but do not affect substitution compatibility for applications within the original -55°C to 150°C range.

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