onsemi BC182L

Overview

BC182L from Fairchild Semiconductor is an NPN general-purpose amplifier transistor rated for 50 V V_CEO, 100 mA continuous collector current, and 350 mW power dissipation at 25°C ambient-designed for low-to-moderate frequency linear amplification in discrete analog stages of consumer audio preamps, sensor signal conditioning, and LED driver bias circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC182L datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its guaranteed h_FE range (40–500 at IC = 2 mA), f_T = 150 MHz, V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V at 100 mA, Cob = 5 pF, and TO-92 package compatibility with through-hole prototyping and cost-sensitive production.

Technical Context

The BC182L operates as a silicon NPN bipolar junction transistor optimized for DC-coupled and small-signal AC amplification up to ~10 MHz in Class-A configurations. Its h_FE variation across IC (40 at 10 µA, 120 at 2 mA, 80 at 100 mA) supports stable biasing in emitter-follower and common-emitter topologies.

Thermal design relies on R_θJA = 357°C/W and R_θJC = 125°C/W, with derating starting above 25°C at 2.8 mW/°C. V_BE(on) = 0.55–0.7 V and V_BE(sat) = 1.2 V define base drive requirements for switching or saturation use.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BC182L is housed in a standard TO-92 plastic package with 3 leads: Emitter (Lead 1), Collector (Lead 2), Base (Lead 3). The package supports manual soldering, wave soldering, and fits standard breadboard and PCB footprints for discrete transistor applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN general-purpose amplifier applications.

Compared with BC547B and 2N3904, the BC182L offers broader h_FE tolerance and higher V_CEO, making it preferable in legacy industrial designs requiring 50 V margin and moderate gain flexibility-without demanding ultra-low noise or high-speed switching.

Availability

BC182L is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio preamplifiers, sensor interface circuits, LED bias networks, and discrete oscillator modules requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence resilience.

Supply support for BC182L includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Fairchild Semiconductor was a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, analog, and discrete devices before its acquisition by ON Semiconductor in 2016.

The BC182L belongs to Fairchild's legacy general-purpose bipolar transistor family, designed for cost-effective, reliable amplification and switching in industrial, consumer, and educational electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum collector-emitter voltage rating for BC182L?

The BC182L has a maximum collector-emitter voltage (V_CEO) rating of 50 V at T_C = 25°C. This rating defines the upper limit of voltage that can be safely applied between collector and emitter with the base open. Exceeding this value risks avalanche breakdown and permanent device damage. Derating is not specified beyond temperature limits, so operation near 50 V should include safety margin and thermal monitoring. The BC182L datasheet confirms this value under Absolute Maximum Ratings.

Does BC182L support switching applications, and what is its saturation voltage?

Yes, the BC182L supports switching applications due to its specified V_CE(sat) of 0.25 V (typ.) at IC = 10 mA / IB = 0.5 mA and 0.6 V (max) at IC = 100 mA / IB = 5 mA. These values confirm usable saturation characteristics for low-duty-cycle digital logic interfacing or LED driving. However, its relatively high V_BE(sat) = 1.2 V means base drive must be sufficient to achieve full saturation. The BC182L is not optimized for high-speed switching but performs reliably in <100 kHz applications.

What is the typical current gain (h_FE) of BC182L at 2 mA collector current?

At V_CE = 5 V and I_C = 2 mA, the BC182L exhibits a typical h_FE of 120, with a minimum of 40 and maximum of 500 across the production lot. This wide gain spread reflects its general-purpose classification and necessitates design margin in bias networks. Unlike tightly binned transistors such as BC547B, the BC182L's h_FE variation is intentional for cost-sensitive applications where circuit topology compensates for gain tolerance. The BC182L datasheet tabulates this in the On Characteristics section.

Is BC182L compatible with TO-92 footprint designs intended for BC107 or BC108?

Yes, the BC182L uses the standard TO-92 package with identical lead spacing, body dimensions, and pinout (Emitter–Collector–Base = Pin 1–2–3), making it mechanically and electrically interchangeable with BC107, BC108, and BC109 in most legacy designs. Its V_CEO = 50 V exceeds BC107/BC108 (45 V), and h_FE range overlaps sufficiently for direct substitution without layout changes. The BC182L datasheet explicitly references compatibility with this family in its ordering information and package drawings.

What is the thermal resistance from junction to ambient (R_θJA) for BC182L?

The BC182L has a thermal resistance from junction to ambient (R_θJA) of 357°C/W when mounted on a standard FR-4 PCB with no copper pour. This value assumes natural convection cooling and defines how much temperature rise occurs per milliwatt of dissipated power. At its maximum rated power of 350 mW, this yields a theoretical junction-to-ambient rise of ~125°C-so operation at full power requires careful thermal management. The BC182L datasheet lists R_θJA in the Thermal Characteristics table.