Littelfuse, an industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical energy, announced the release of the SM15KPA-HR/HRA and SM30KPA-HR/HRA High-Reliability Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) Diode Series. These new devices are engineered to provide superior lightning-induced transient protection for avionics, aviation electronics, defence systems, eVTOL platforms, and other mission-critical designs requiring high power, high reliability, and stringent screening.

Designed in a compact SPD4-1 surface-mount package, the new series delivers 15 kW or 30 kW peak pulse dissipation capability (10/1000 μs) while supporting full SMT pick-and-place assembly—an advantage over legacy high-power axial devices. Both families offer fast response time (<1 ps), excellent clamping behaviour, low incremental surge resistance, and stable operation over a –55 °C to 150 °C junction temperature range.

The SM15KPA-HR/HRA and SM30KPA-HR/HRA Series are among the few high-power, high-reliability SMT TVS diodes specifically developed for avionics, offering protection up to RTCA/DO-160 Waveform 5A Level 5 lightning surge compliance. Screening includes 100% surge testing, high-temperature storage, temperature cycling, X-ray inspection, HTRB testing, and final electrical characterization in accordance with MIL-STD-750.

“These new high-power TVS diodes in a surface-mount package give avionics system designers the performance margins they need while supporting standard SMT automatic pick-and-place assembly,” said Charlie Cai, Director of Product Management, Protection Business, SBU. “They provide superior protection for high-reliability applications without the size, weight, or assembly constraints of traditional solutions.”

Littelfuse's SM15KPA-HR/HRA and SM30KPA-HR/HRA TVS diodes offer 15 kW or 30 kW peak pulse power absorption in a compact SPD4-1 SMT package, enabling DO-160 Waveform 5A Level 5 lightning protection. They provide fast response time (<1 ps), superior clamping, low incremental surge resistance, 30 kV ESD protection per IEC 61000-4-2, and operation from –55 °C to 150 °C with high reflow capability up to 245 °C. These RoHS-compliant, whisker-tested devices support automated SMT assembly, reducing size, weight, and constraints compared to axial alternatives.

These high-reliability TVS diodes target avionics flight computers, navigation, communication, radar electronics, eVTOL propulsion, and battery management systems. They also serve defense/aerospace power distribution modules and high-reliability industrial/transportation platforms needing lightning surge immunity. Optimized for mission-critical systems, they protect I/O lines, power buses, and sensitive electronics in avionics, military, and eVTOL environments.

Click here to learn more about the SM15KPA-HR/HRA and SM30KPA-HR/HRA.