1500W bidirectional Zener TVS in axial package
The 1N6168A is a bidirectional Zener TVS diode from Microchip Technology rated for 1500W (1.5kW) peak pulse power per the 10/1000µs waveform. The 91.2V reverse standoff voltage and 165.1V clamping at 9.1A make it a fit for protecting 72V to 90V DC rails — common in telecom rectifiers, industrial power supplies, and battery-charger outputs. The through-hole axial package (B, Axial per) suits point-of-use board-level clamping where a soldered lead gives better thermal conduction to the PCB copper than a surface-mount part of the same power class.
Clamping voltage and pulse current — the protection window
The 114V minimum breakdown voltage and 165.1V maximum clamping at 9.1A define the voltage window the protected circuitry must survive. A downstream DC-DC converter rated at 100V absolute maximum would be marginal; a 150V-rated input stage gives adequate margin. The 9.1A peak pulse current at the 10/1000µs waveform is the current the diode shunts — the PCB trace width and fuse rating upstream must handle that surge without opening. Bidirectional operation simplifies BOM polarity — one part covers both positive and negative transients without a bridge arrangement.
The base product number 1N6168 covers the unidirectional variant; the 'A' suffix indicates a tighter breakdown tolerance or a specific test condition — confirm the exact BOM callout before substituting. Through-hole axial TVS diodes in this power class remain in steady production across multiple suppliers.