Standoff and clamping — the two numbers that size the protection
The 1.5SMCJ20CA_R1_00001: The 20 V reverse standoff (typ) is the working voltage — the TVS sits across the rail in the off state, drawing only leakage current. For a 20 V rail, the 12.4 V headroom between standoff and clamping ceiling gives the protected circuit room to ride out ESD or inductive transients without the TVS crowbarring the rail to ground under normal operation.
