SMBJ26CD-M3/I Vishay 26V 600W Bidirectional TVS Diode

ElecSuppliers Part Number GuideAug 22, 2026

SMBJ26CD-M3/I is a Vishay General Semiconductor TransZorb transient voltage suppressor designed to protect electronic circuits against short-duration voltage transients. It is a bidirectional TVS diode with a 26 V reverse standoff voltage, 600 W peak pulse power rating and SMB surface-mount package.

The device is intended for general-purpose transient protection and can be used on power rails, signal lines and other circuits where voltage spikes may damage sensitive semiconductor devices.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Key Specifications

SMBJ26CD-M3/I has a typical working standoff voltage of 26 V. Its minimum breakdown voltage is 29.3 V, while the maximum clamping voltage is 41.6 V at the specified peak pulse current.

The device can handle a peak pulse current of 14.5 A under the standard 10/1000 µs test waveform and has a peak pulse power rating of 600 W.

It is a bidirectional device with a single protection channel and operates across a junction temperature range of approximately -55°C to +150°C.

26V Bidirectional TVS Diode

The 26 V working voltage makes SMBJ26CD-M3/I suitable for circuits where the normal operating voltage remains below the TVS device's standoff voltage.

During normal operation, the TVS diode remains largely non-conductive. When a sufficiently high transient occurs, the device enters avalanche conduction and diverts transient current away from the protected circuit.

This limits the voltage that reaches sensitive components.

The bidirectional configuration allows the device to provide protection against positive and negative voltage transients, making it useful for AC signals and other circuits where transient polarity can vary.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Clamping Voltage

The maximum clamping voltage is 41.6 V under the specified test conditions.

Clamping voltage is one of the most important specifications when selecting a TVS diode because it determines the approximate maximum voltage that the protected circuit can experience during the specified surge event.

A TVS diode should therefore be selected by considering both the circuit's normal operating voltage and the maximum voltage that the protected components can tolerate.

Selecting a TVS with an inappropriate standoff or clamping voltage can result in either unwanted conduction during normal operation or insufficient transient protection.

600W Peak Pulse Power

SMBJ26CD-M3/I has a 600 W peak pulse power rating.

This rating is based on a defined transient waveform and should not be interpreted as a continuous 600 W power-dissipation capability.

TVS diodes are designed primarily to handle short-duration transient events. The amount of energy that the device can safely absorb depends on the pulse duration, waveform, repetition rate and thermal conditions.

For applications involving repeated or unusually long surge events, engineers should calculate the actual transient energy and compare it with the device's specified limits.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Package

The device uses a DO-214AA package, commonly known as the SMB package.

The SMB package provides a compact surface-mount format while allowing the TVS diode to handle significantly more transient energy than many smaller ESD protection components.

Its surface-mount construction makes it suitable for automated PCB assembly.

For effective transient protection, PCB layout is also important. The connection between the transient source, TVS diode and protected circuit should be kept short and have low parasitic inductance whenever possible.

Vishay TransZorb Technology

SMBJ26CD-M3/I belongs to Vishay's TransZorb family of transient voltage suppressors.

TVS devices in this family are designed to respond rapidly to transient voltage events and provide a low-impedance path for surge current.

The technology is commonly used to protect integrated circuits, MOSFETs, control electronics, sensor interfaces and other components that can be damaged by electrical transients.

The exact TVS configuration should always be selected according to the voltage level and transient environment of the application.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Applications

SMBJ26CD-M3/I can be used in industrial electronics, telecommunications equipment, power supplies, control systems and general electronic circuits requiring transient voltage protection.

Potential applications include DC power input protection, interface protection and suppression of transient voltage generated by inductive loads.

It can also be used to protect sensitive semiconductor devices from externally generated voltage spikes.

For signal-line applications, designers should additionally consider the capacitance and signal characteristics of the protected interface to ensure that the TVS device does not adversely affect normal operation.

Bidirectional Protection

The bidirectional design is particularly useful where both positive and negative transient voltages need to be controlled.

A bidirectional TVS behaves similarly in both voltage polarities, making it suitable for circuits where the signal or power waveform can change direction.

This is different from a conventional unidirectional TVS, which is often selected for DC power rails where the negative direction has different protection requirements.

The correct polarity configuration should therefore be determined from the actual circuit rather than simply choosing a TVS based on its voltage rating.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Temperature Range

The specified operating junction temperature range is approximately -55°C to +150°C.

This broad range allows the component to be considered for industrial equipment and other applications exposed to significant temperature changes.

However, the actual surge-handling capability can be affected by temperature. Designers should consider the relevant derating characteristics when the device is expected to operate at elevated temperatures.

Thermal conditions are particularly important when transient events occur repeatedly.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Replacement

When replacing SMBJ26CD-M3/I, the 26 V standoff voltage, 29.3 V minimum breakdown voltage and 41.6 V maximum clamping voltage should be checked carefully.

The 600 W peak pulse power rating and 14.5 A peak pulse current are also important when comparing alternatives.

Package compatibility should not be overlooked. SMBJ26CD-M3/I uses the DO-214AA SMB package, so a replacement should have compatible PCB dimensions and termination geometry.

A bidirectional device should also be replaced with a compatible bidirectional configuration unless the circuit has been specifically redesigned for a unidirectional TVS.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I Availability

SMBJ26CD-M3/I remains identified as an active Vishay General Semiconductor part, although current distributor listings indicate that availability can vary and the exact part may not always be held in local stock.

Related SMBJ26 variants are available with different ordering suffixes and packaging configurations. The exact suffix should therefore be checked when purchasing or designing a replacement.

For production procurement, buyers should verify current inventory, packaging quantity and lead time before placing large orders.

SMBJ26CD-M3/I for Transient Protection

SMBJ26CD-M3/I combines a 26 V working voltage, 41.6 V maximum clamping voltage, 600 W peak pulse power rating and bidirectional protection in a compact SMB package.

Its combination of transient-handling capability and surface-mount construction makes it suitable for protecting electronic circuits from short-duration voltage spikes.

For new designs, engineers should select the TVS according to the normal operating voltage, transient waveform, required clamping level and expected surge energy. For replacement applications, matching the complete SMBJ26CD-M3/I electrical and mechanical characteristics is important rather than comparing the 26 V value alone.