Active production, AEC-Q101 qualified
The 1.5SMC16CAHM3_A/I: This bidirectional Zener TVS is AEC-Q101 qualified and part of Vishay's TransZorb series, meaning it meets the automotive-grade reliability and temperature screening required for under-hood electronics.
Clamp voltage and peak current — sizing the protection window
With a 13.6 V reverse standoff voltage, this TVS sits on a 12 V nominal rail without conducting leakage current, then clamps at 22.5 V (max) when hit with a 66.7 A, 10/1000 µs surge — the 1500 W peak pulse rating defines the energy it can absorb before the silicon fails. The 15.2 V minimum breakdown voltage gives a tight guard band above the 13.6 V standoff, so the TVS triggers before downstream components see damaging overvoltage.
DO-214AB footprint and reflow assembly
Housed in the standard DO-214AB (SMC) surface-mount package, this TVS uses the same copper-tab footprint as other 1.5 kW devices — the pad layout is well-established and the part places cleanly on a standard reflow profile without tombstoning risk. The -65°C to 150°C junction temperature range covers the full automotive thermal envelope, from cold-crank starts to engine-bay soak-back.