1500W bidirectional Zener TVS — 6.5V rail clamp
The SMCJ6.5CE3/TR13 is a bidirectional Zener TVS diode from Microchip Technology, rated for 1500W peak pulse power at 10/1000µs waveform. It clamps a 6.5V nominal rail to 12.3V max at 122A peak pulse current — the clamp voltage is what the downstream silicon sees during a surge event, so the 12.3V ceiling keeps a 12V-rated IC out of avalanche. The reverse standoff voltage of 6.5V means the diode stays off below that rail voltage; it only conducts when the transient pushes above the 7.22V minimum breakdown point. That gap — 0.72V from standoff to breakdown — gives a small guard band against nuisance triggering on a noisy 5V or 6V supply.
Bidirectional clamping for AC or bipolar rails
Unlike a unidirectional TVS that needs an anti-series pair for AC-coupled lines, this part handles both polarities in one package, saving board area and reducing part count on signal lines that swing below ground. The DO-214AB (SMC) package body is large enough to absorb the 1500W pulse without cracking the passivation layer — a failure mode in smaller SOD-123 packages under repetitive surge.
Active production — no EOL scramble
This part is orderable now and will remain available through the standard Microchip TVS product lifecycle — no forced redesign for the next several years. The base product number SMCJ6.5 covers the full family; the CE3 suffix indicates the bidirectional option and the /TR13 reel variant. If your BOM calls for the unidirectional version, the SMCJ6.5A (unidirectional) is the sibling to cross-reference against.