onsemi BC213L_D27Z

Overview

BC213L_D27Z from Fairchild Semiconductor is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) designed for amplification and switching in low-power analog and digital circuits, with V_CEO = −30 V, I_C = −500 mA continuous, h_FE = 40–400 at I_C = −2.0 mA to −10 mA, and f_T = 200 MHz - used in audio preamplifiers, signal inverters, and discrete logic interface stages.

For engineers reviewing the BC213L_D27Z datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include its TO-92 package compatibility, PNP polarity, DC current gain spread, saturation voltage at defined drive conditions, and thermal derating above 25°C.

Technical Context

This PNP BJT operates with reverse-polarity biasing: emitter positive relative to base and collector. Its small-signal h_fe = 80 at 1 kHz and f_T = 200 MHz support mid-frequency amplification up to ~10 MHz with stable gain, while V_BE(sat) = −1.1 V and V_CE(sat) = −0.25 V at I_C = −10 mA / I_B = −0.5 mA define low-loss switching thresholds.

Thermal design relies on R_θJA = 200 °C/W and PD = 625 mW at 25°C, derating linearly by 5.0 mW/°C above ambient - requiring heatsinking only for sustained I_C > 200 mA in enclosed environments. Junction temperature must remain ≤150°C per absolute maximum rating.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BC213L_D27Z is housed in a standard TO-92 plastic package with 3 leads: Emitter (Lead 1), Collector (Lead 2), Base (Lead 3), as confirmed by Fairchild's package drawing and pin identification diagram.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC213L_D27Z, BC557B offers tighter h_FE control at low currents but reduced I_C capability, while PN2907A provides higher voltage tolerance and thermal resilience at the cost of bandwidth - making BC213L_D27Z optimal for balanced audio and general-purpose use where 200 MHz f_T and −500 mA I_C are jointly required.

Availability

BC213L_D27Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio signal conditioning, discrete logic interfacing, current mirror biasing, and temperature-compensated analog sensor circuits requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for BC213L_D27Z 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 BC213L_D27Z belongs to Fairchild's legacy general-purpose PNP transistor family, engineered for cost-sensitive, through-hole-based designs in consumer, industrial, and educational electronics where reliability and parameter consistency across temperature are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for BC213L_D27Z?

The BC213L_D27Z has a maximum continuous collector current (I_C) rating of −500 mA at T_A = 25°C. This rating assumes no additional heatsinking and linear derating of 5.0 mW/°C above ambient. At elevated temperatures or pulsed operation, consult Fairchild's Absolute Maximum Ratings table and thermal resistance values (R_θJA = 200 °C/W) to ensure junction temperature remains ≤150°C in the final BC213L_D27Z implementation.

Does BC213L_D27Z support high-frequency amplification?

Yes, the BC213L_D27Z delivers a current-gain bandwidth product (f_T) of 200 MHz at V_CE = −5 V and I_C = −10 mA, enabling effective amplification up to approximately 10–20 MHz in properly biased common-emitter configurations. Its 10 dB noise figure at 1 kHz also supports low-noise preamplifier use, though layout parasitics and bias stability become critical above 5 MHz in the BC213L_D27Z design.

What is the pin configuration of BC213L_D27Z in TO-92 package?

The BC213L_D27Z uses standard TO-92 pinout: Lead 1 = Emitter, Lead 2 = Collector, Lead 3 = Base - verified by Fairchild's package drawing and electrical test documentation. When viewed with flat side facing outward and leads pointing downward, the left-to-right order is Emitter–Collector–Base. This matches industry-standard PNP orientation and ensures drop-in compatibility with BC557, PN2907, and similar TO-92 PNP transistors in the BC213L_D27Z footprint.

How does BC213L_D27Z compare to BC213L in terms of specifications?

The BC213L_D27Z is a specific date-code and traceable variant of the BC213L base part, sharing identical electrical, thermal, and mechanical specifications per Fairchild's Rev. A datasheet. The "_D27Z" suffix denotes manufacturing lot and date code (e.g., week 27 of year 20xx), not a parametric revision. All key parameters - including V_CEO, h_FE, f_T, and TO-92 packaging - remain fully aligned with the original BC213L specification in every BC213L_D27Z unit.

Is BC213L_D27Z suitable for temperature sensing applications?

Yes, the BC213L_D27Z can be used as a silicon junction temperature sensor by operating its base-emitter junction in forward conduction at constant current. Its well-characterized V_BE(on) = −0.6 to −0.72 V at I_C = −2.0 mA and low leakage (I_EBO = −15 nA) provide predictable dV_BE/dT ≈ −2.2 mV/°C. For accurate results, calibration against known references is recommended - a practice validated in multiple analog sensor designs using the BC213L_D27Z.