onsemi BC327-016

Overview

BC327-016 from onsemi is a PNP silicon bipolar junction transistor (BJT) designed for general-purpose amplification and switching in low-voltage, medium-current circuits. It features a −45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage (V_(BR)CEO), −800 mA continuous collector current (I_C), DC current gain (h_FE) of 100–160 at I_C = −100 mA, −1.2 V base-emitter on voltage (V_BE(on)), and TO-92 package for through-hole mounting in power management and signal conditioning stages.

For engineers reviewing the BC327-016 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its PNP polarity, guaranteed h_FE range of 100–160, −0.7 V saturation voltage at I_C/I_B = 10, thermal resistance (R_JA = 200 °C/W), and compatibility with standard TO-92 PCB footprints and reflow/soldering profiles.

Technical Context

The BC327-016 operates as a discrete PNP BJT with fixed gain binning (h_FE = 100–160), optimized for linear amplification and saturated switching in DC-coupled or low-frequency AC circuits up to 260 MHz f_T. Its −50 V V_(BR)CES rating supports robust base-collector reverse bias tolerance.

Thermal design relies on its R_JC = 83.3 °C/W and R_JA = 200 °C/W ratings, enabling operation up to +150 °C junction temperature when mounted on standard FR-4 with minimal copper area. Safe operating area (SOA) is defined up to 1 ms pulse width under thermal-limited conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BC327-016 is housed in a TO-92 plastic package (Case 29, Style 17), with standardized 2.54 mm lead pitch and through-hole mounting geometry. Pin 1 is Collector, Pin 2 is Base, Pin 3 is Emitter - verified per onsemi marking diagram and package dimensions drawing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP BJT switching and amplification applications.

Compared with BC327-25 and PN2907A, the BC327-016 provides optimal balance of guaranteed mid-range h_FE, low saturation voltage, and thermal performance in cost-sensitive TO-92 designs-making it ideal for production-grade LED drivers and motor controls where consistency matters more than maximum gain.

Availability

BC327-016 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, low-power DC motor control, linear voltage regulator pass elements, and signal level shifting applications requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for BC327-016 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

onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) is a global semiconductor manufacturer specializing in energy-efficient power, analog, sensor, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, cloud, and consumer markets.

The BC327-016 belongs to onsemi's legacy general-purpose BJT family, engineered for reliability and consistency in cost-sensitive, high-volume linear and switching applications across industrial controls and consumer electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum collector-emitter voltage rating for BC327-016?

The BC327-016 has a guaranteed minimum collector-emitter breakdown voltage V_(BR)CEO of −45 V at I_C = −10 mA and I_B = 0. This rating defines the absolute maximum reverse-biased voltage the device can withstand before entering avalanche conduction. Operating above this value risks permanent degradation, so design margins should keep V_CE ≤ −40 V in continuous use. The BC327-016 datasheet confirms this parameter under "Maximum Ratings" and "Electrical Characteristics."

Is BC327-016 pin-compatible with BC327-25 or BC327-40?

Yes - BC327-016, BC327-25, and BC327-40 share identical TO-92 package dimensions, pinout (Collector/Base/Emitter on Pins 1/2/3), and mechanical markings per onsemi's ordering information table. All variants are physically interchangeable on PCBs. However, their h_FE bins differ: BC327-016 is 100–160, BC327-25 is 160–250, and BC327-40 is 250–630. So while BC327-016 can be replaced with BC327-25 in most circuits, gain-dependent designs (e.g., current mirrors) may require validation.

What is the typical DC current gain (h_FE) of BC327-016 at 100 mA collector current?

The BC327-016 exhibits a DC current gain h_FE of 100–160 when tested at I_C = −100 mA and V_CE = −1.0 V, per the "ON CHARACTERISTICS" table in the official BC327/D datasheet. This binning ensures predictable base drive requirements - for example, achieving −100 mA collector current requires only −0.625 to −1.0 mA base current. The BC327-016's h_FE remains stable across −55°C to +150°C junction temperatures, supporting industrial-grade operation.

Can BC327-016 be used in surface-mount designs?

No - BC327-016 is exclusively offered in the through-hole TO-92 package (Case 29, Style 17) with 2.54 mm lead spacing, as confirmed in the "Ordering Information" and "Package Dimensions" sections of the BC327/D datasheet. onsemi does not manufacture a surface-mount variant (e.g., SOT-23 or SC-70) of BC327-016. For SMT compatibility, engineers should consider alternatives like the MMBT3906 (SOT-23) or NSS60201MR6T1G (SOT-23), which match PNP functionality but require layout redesign.

What is the thermal resistance (R_JA) of BC327-016, and how does it affect PCB layout?

The BC327-016 has a specified junction-to-ambient thermal resistance R_JA of 200 °C/W under standard test conditions (JEDEC JESD51-2, no copper pour). This means each watt of dissipated power raises the junction temperature by 200°C above ambient. To maintain T_J ≤ +150°C at 25°C ambient, power dissipation must stay below 625 mW - matching its rated PD. Adding 1 in² of 2-oz copper on the collector pad reduces R_JA to ~120 °C/W, directly improving BC327-016 reliability in sustained-load applications.