26V bidirectional TVS — the clamp that fits a 24V rail
Its 26 V reverse standoff means the diode stays off during normal operation — leakage is negligible until the line exceeds that threshold. When a surge hits, breakdown starts at 28.9 V min and the diode clamps the transient to 42.1 V max at 11.9 A, shunting the energy away from the downstream circuitry. The single bidirectional channel clamps both positive and negative spikes — one component replaces two unidirectional TVS diodes in anti-series, saving placement cost and board area.
Junction temperature and package — the thermal reality
That covers military and automotive extremes — the diode does not derate until the ambient forces the junction above 150°C. In practice, the DO-214AC (SMA) package relies on the PCB copper pad area under the cathode tab to pull heat out; a 1 oz copper pad with at least 30 mm² of copper area keeps the junction within limits during repetitive surge events. Surface-mount assembly on a standard reflow profile.
Microchip lists the SMAJ26CAE3/TR13 as Active. The base product number is SMAJ26, so any future PCN or LTB will reference that base.