The 1.5KE18CA-E3/51: The 1.5KE18CA-/51 is officially listed as Obsolete by Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division, meaning the manufacturer has ended production and no further last-time-buy windows are open. Sourcing for this part runs through independent distribution channels — availability is lot-specific and confirmed at the time of an RFQ against your BOM quantity.
Clamping performance and protection envelope
The reverse standoff voltage is 15.3 V typical, meaning the protected rail can run at 15 V nominal without the diode conducting in standby; breakdown starts at 17.1 V minimum, so the device stays off below that threshold and only shunts overvoltage events above it.
Package and board integration
Housed in a DO-201AA (DO-27) axial-lead through-hole package, the 1.5KE18CA-/51 mounts into a 1.1 mm diameter hole on a standard PCB — the axial leads carry the full 59.5 A pulse without fusing, provided the trace width to the pad is sized for the surge current. The operating junction temperature range spans -55°C to +175°C, so the device survives thermal cycling in outdoor or industrial enclosures without derating the peak power at the high end.