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Home > Products > Discrete Semiconductor Products > Transistors > Bipolar (BJT) > Single Bipolar Transistors

onsemi BC183

Name: BC183
Brand: onsemi
SKU: BC183
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC183

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)

Datasheet:: BC183.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 30V 0.1A TO-92-3

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC183 from Fairchild Semiconductor is an NPN general-purpose amplifier transistor in TO-92 package, rated for 30 V V_CEO, 100 mA I_C, 350 mW P_C, with h_FE = 40–80 at I_C = 100 mA, and f_T = 150 MHz - used in low-power linear amplification and switching circuits in consumer audio and signal conditioning stages.

For engineers reviewing the BC183 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include its V_CEO/I_C derating behavior, saturation voltage performance at 100 mA, thermal limits in ambient-constrained PCB layouts, and compatibility with legacy through-hole amplifier designs requiring TO-92 footprint and NPN biasing topology.

Technical Context

The BC183 operates as a silicon planar NPN bipolar junction transistor optimized for general-purpose linear amplification and low-speed switching. Its DC current gain (h_FE) varies from 40 to 80 across I_C = 10 μA to 100 mA, and its small-signal h_fe reaches up to 900 at 2 mA, supporting wide dynamic range biasing.

It features low noise figure (10 dB at 1 kHz, 200 mA), output capacitance of 5 pF at 10 V, and V_BE(on) = 0.55–0.7 V at 2 mA - enabling stable Class-A amplifier staging and predictable base drive requirements in discrete gain blocks.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	30 V - maximum safe collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines upper rail limit in single-supply amplifier stages.
I_C (DC)	100 mA - continuous collector current rating; sets peak load capability in driver or preamp output stages.
P_C (T_a=25°C)	350 mW - power dissipation limit at room ambient; requires thermal derating above 25°C per datasheet curve.
h_FE	40–80 @ I_C=100 mA - usable DC gain range for predictable bias point design in common-emitter configurations.
f_T	150 MHz - unity-gain bandwidth; supports audio-frequency amplification with margin and limited RF applicability.
V_CE(sat)	0.25–0.6 V @ I_C=10–100 mA - low saturation voltage enables efficient switching in logic-level interface or relay drivers.
NF	10 dB @ 1 kHz, 200 mA - quantified noise floor for low-noise preamplifier use where signal integrity is critical.

Pinout & Package

BC183 is housed in a standard TO-92 plastic package with 3 leads: Collector (lead 1), Base (lead 2), Emitter (lead 3). The package is axial-leaded, through-hole mountable, and compatible with JEDEC TO-92 mechanical dimensions (4.5 mm × 3.2 mm × 4.0 mm body).

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 (Collector)	Primary current sink terminal	Connected to load or supply rail; carries full output current and dissipates majority of heat in active region.
2 (Base)	Control input for minority-carrier injection	Receives bias current to regulate collector current; requires series resistor to limit I_B and ensure h_FE-based gain stability.
3 (Emitter)	Current source reference node	Typically tied to ground or emitter degeneration resistor; establishes DC operating point and AC signal return path.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
High f_T (150 MHz)	Enables stable audio amplification up to ~50 kHz with gain margin and supports basic RF detector applications.
Low V_CE(sat) (0.25 V min)	Reduces conduction loss in switching mode, improving efficiency in LED drivers or digital logic interfaces.
Wide h_FE range (40–80)	Allows robust bias design across manufacturing spread; supports fixed-bias and emitter-degenerated topologies.
Low noise figure (10 dB)	Supports use in microphone preamps and sensor signal conditioning where SNR preservation is essential.
TO-92 mechanical compatibility	Ensures drop-in replacement in legacy through-hole designs and simplifies hand-soldering during prototyping.

Applications

Audio Pre-amplifier Stage	Low-Speed Digital Switch
Use Scenario: Amplifying weak analog signals from electret microphones or piezoelectric sensors prior to ADC sampling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN BJT configured in common-emitter topology providing 20–40 dB voltage gain with minimal added noise. Use Value: 10 dB noise figure and h_FE ≥40 at 2 mA enable clean signal lift without significant thermal drift in battery-powered enclosures.	Use Scenario: Driving LEDs, relays, or small solenoids from 3.3 V or 5 V microcontroller GPIO pins. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete NPN switch operating in saturation mode with base current controlled via current-limiting resistor. Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤0.6 V at 100 mA ensures <100 mW power loss and reliable turn-on with 5 mA base drive.
Signal Level Shifter	Linear Voltage Regulator Pass Element
Use Scenario: Translating logic levels between 3.3 V and 5 V domains in mixed-voltage embedded systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter inverter with pull-up resistor, translating high/low states with defined edge timing. Use Value: f_T = 150 MHz provides sufficient speed for <1 MHz digital signaling; TO-92 footprint eases layout integration.	Use Scenario: Acting as pass transistor in adjustable linear regulators (e.g., LM317-based circuits) delivering up to 100 mA load current. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series-pass element regulating output by modulating V_CE in active region under feedback control. Use Value: P_C = 350 mW and T_J = 150°C allow safe operation at 5 V dropout × 100 mA = 500 mW only with heatsinking; best suited for low-dropout, low-current cases.

Audio Pre-amplifier Stage

Low-Speed Digital Switch

Use Scenario: Amplifying weak analog signals from electret microphones or piezoelectric sensors prior to ADC sampling.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN BJT configured in common-emitter topology providing 20–40 dB voltage gain with minimal added noise.

Use Value: 10 dB noise figure and h_FE ≥40 at 2 mA enable clean signal lift without significant thermal drift in battery-powered enclosures.

Use Scenario: Driving LEDs, relays, or small solenoids from 3.3 V or 5 V microcontroller GPIO pins.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete NPN switch operating in saturation mode with base current controlled via current-limiting resistor.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤0.6 V at 100 mA ensures <100 mW power loss and reliable turn-on with 5 mA base drive.

Signal Level Shifter

Linear Voltage Regulator Pass Element

Use Scenario: Translating logic levels between 3.3 V and 5 V domains in mixed-voltage embedded systems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter inverter with pull-up resistor, translating high/low states with defined edge timing.

Use Value: f_T = 150 MHz provides sufficient speed for <1 MHz digital signaling; TO-92 footprint eases layout integration.

Use Scenario: Acting as pass transistor in adjustable linear regulators (e.g., LM317-based circuits) delivering up to 100 mA load current.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series-pass element regulating output by modulating V_CE in active region under feedback control.

Use Value: P_C = 350 mW and T_J = 150°C allow safe operation at 5 V dropout × 100 mA = 500 mW only with heatsinking; best suited for low-dropout, low-current cases.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
BC547	V_CEO = 45 V, h_FE = 110–800 (typ.), P_C = 500 mW - higher gain and power rating.	Better suited for higher-voltage amplification or higher-current switching where BC183's 30 V/100 mA limits are exceeded.	Select BC547 when >30 V headroom or >100 mA load current is required; verify base drive compatibility due to higher h_FE.
2N3904	V_CEO = 40 V, I_C = 200 mA, f_T = 300 MHz - higher speed and current capability, same TO-92 package.	Preferred for faster switching (<100 ns rise/fall) and wider-bandwidth amplification than BC183 supports.	Choose 2N3904 for designs needing >150 MHz f_T or 200 mA I_C; note tighter h_FE binning may affect bias stability in production.

Compared with BC183, BC547 offers higher voltage/current headroom and broader gain range, while 2N3904 delivers superior frequency response and current capacity - both retain TO-92 compatibility but require revalidation of bias networks and thermal margins in existing BC183 designs.

Availability

BC183 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio pre-amplifier stages, low-speed digital switches, signal level shifters, and linear regulator pass elements requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for BC183 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 company specializing in power management, analog, and discrete components before its acquisition by ON Semiconductor in 2016.

The BC183 belongs to Fairchild's legacy general-purpose transistor product line, designed for cost-sensitive, reliability-critical linear amplification and switching functions in consumer, industrial, and educational electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum collector-emitter voltage rating for BC183?

The BC183 has a maximum collector-emitter voltage (V_CEO) rating of 30 V at T_C = 25°C. This rating decreases with increasing case temperature per the datasheet derating curve. Exceeding 30 V risks avalanche breakdown and permanent device failure. Always maintain at least 20% margin below V_CEO in production designs using BC183.

Does BC183 support audio-frequency amplification?

Yes, BC183 supports audio-frequency amplification up to approximately 50 kHz due to its 150 MHz f_T and low 10 dB noise figure at 1 kHz. It is commonly used in electret microphone preamps and line-level buffer stages. Designers should apply emitter degeneration and proper bypassing to stabilize gain and minimize distortion in BC183-based audio circuits.

What is the pin configuration of BC183?

The BC183 uses a standard TO-92 package with pin 1 = Collector, pin 2 = Base, pin 3 = Emitter - viewed with flat side facing outward and leads pointing down. This configuration is consistent across Fairchild's BC1xx series and matches JEDEC TO-92 mechanical drawings. Always verify orientation before soldering BC183 into PCBs.

Can BC183 be used as a switch in digital circuits?

Yes, BC183 can operate as a saturated switch in digital circuits driving loads up to 100 mA. With I_B ≥ 5 mA, it achieves V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V, minimizing power loss. Ensure base resistor value accounts for microcontroller output voltage and BC183's h_FE minimum of 40 to guarantee hard saturation across temperature and process variation.

Is BC183 still in full production?

BC183 is marked as obsolete by ON Semiconductor (which acquired Fairchild in 2016), but Aetrix Electronics maintains active inventory and traceable sourcing for BC183 through authorized legacy channels. Engineering samples and production lots are available with full lot traceability and compliance documentation for BC183.

BC183 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)

Packaging:: Bulk

Product Status:: Obsolete

Transistor Type:: NPN

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 100 mA

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 30 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 600mV @ 5mA, 100mA

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 15nA (ICBO)

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 40 @ 10µA, 5V

Power - Max:: 350 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 150MHz

Operating Temperature:: -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-92-3

BC183 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC183 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC183 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for BC183 reliable?

The price and inventory of BC183 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC183 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC183?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC183 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC183?

BC183 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC183 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for BC183?

For technical support, including BC183 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC183 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC183 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC183 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that BC183 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC183?

All BC183 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC183, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The BC183 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC183:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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