The 1.5KE180A-B: That 1.5 kW rating means it can absorb a single transient up to 6.1 A peak pulse current (Ipp) before the clamping voltage rises to 246 V max — enough to protect a 154 V nominal rail from inductive kickback or lightning-coupled surges in industrial and general-purpose DC buses. The reverse standoff voltage of 154 V (working voltage) and breakdown range starting at 171 V mean this part sits on a 150–160 VDC rail without conducting in normal operation, only clamping when the transient exceeds the breakdown threshold.
Obsolete — sourcing reality for the BOM line
Diodes Incorporated has marked the 1.5KE180A-B as obsolete. For existing designs that still need this exact clamping voltage and package, the only supply channel is independent distribution — surplus, new-old-stock, or broker inventory. Because the part is end-of-life, no last-time-buy window remains open.
Package and board-fit — DO-201 axial leaded
The 1.5KE180A-B comes in a DO-201AA / DO-27 axial-leaded package, also referred to as the DO-201 supplier device package. Through-hole mounting with a 0.052-inch (1.3 mm) diameter lead — the hole size on the PCB should match the lead diameter with enough annular ring for solder fillet, typically a 0.040-inch finished hole after plating. The Bulk packaging means the parts ship loose in a tube or bag, not taped and reeled. For automated insertion, a tape-and-reel variant (if one existed) would be needed; this Bulk format suits manual assembly, rework, or low-volume builds.