NXP Semiconductors BC337-25,116

Overview

BC337-25,116 from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in a through-hole SOT54A (TO-92 wide-pitch) package, rated for 45 V V_CEO, 500 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 160–400 at I_C = 100 mA / V_CE = 1 V. It serves as a low-voltage, medium-current switch or amplifier in discrete power control stages of industrial power supplies and consumer appliance logic interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the BC337-25,116 datasheet, BC337-25,116 pinout, BC337-25,116 application, or BC337-25,116 equivalent, key selection criteria include its h_FE binning (25-series), TO-92 wide-pitch lead spacing (5.08 mm), 625 mW P_tot at T_amb ≤ 25 °C, and verified suitability for linear amplification and saturated switching with V_CE(sat) ≤ 700 mV at I_C = 500 mA / I_B = 50 mA.

Technical Context

This device operates as a silicon NPN BJT with base-controlled current amplification, optimized for DC and low-frequency (<100 MHz f_T) switching and analog amplification. Its thermal resistance R_th(j-a) is 200 K/W on FR4 PCB, enabling stable operation up to 150 °C junction temperature under defined mounting conditions.

The BC337-25,116 belongs to the BC337 family differentiated by h_FE range - specifically 160–400 - and shares identical absolute maximum ratings, pinout, and package dimensions with BC337-16 and BC337-40 variants. It is not intended for RF amplification or high-speed digital switching beyond its f_T limit.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT54A (SC-43A wide-pitch variant of TO-92) is a plastic single-ended leaded through-hole package with 3 leads, 5.08 mm lead pitch, and standardized mechanical dimensions per JEDEC TO-92 outline. It supports manual soldering and wave soldering in legacy and cost-sensitive designs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC337-25,116, BC337-25,412 offers identical performance in manual assembly contexts, while BC817-25,215 trades package compatibility and thermal capability for miniaturization - making the former a drop-in mechanical alternative and the latter a layout-dependent functional alternative.

Availability

BC337-25,116 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, consumer appliance logic interfaces, linear voltage regulation, and audio signal amplification requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for BC337-25,116 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

Nexperia is a global leader in discrete, logic, and PowerMOS semiconductors, formed in 2017 from the former NXP Standard Products business, with focus on automotive, industrial, computing, and consumer markets.

The BC337-25,116 belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose bipolar transistor product line, designed for cost-effective, reliable switching and amplification in legacy and new designs where through-hole assembly remains preferred.

FAQ

What is the pin configuration of BC337-25,116?

The BC337-25,116 uses a standardized SOT54A (TO-92 wide-pitch) pinout: Pin 1 is emitter, Pin 2 is base, and Pin 3 is collector. This matches JEDEC TO-92 mechanical outline and is confirmed in the official Nexperia datasheet Section 2 (Pinning information). The wide 5.08 mm lead pitch distinguishes it from standard TO-92 (2.54 mm) and prevents solder bridging during manual or wave soldering.

What does the "25" suffix mean in BC337-25,116?

The "25" in BC337-25,116 denotes the h_FE (DC current gain) bin: 160–400 at I_C = 100 mA and V_CE = 1 V. This is distinct from BC337-16 (100–250) and BC337-40 (250–600). The "116" suffix refers to the SOT54A tape-and-reel packing variant per Nexperia's ordering code system, indicating wide-pitch leaded packaging.

Can BC337-25,116 replace BC337-25,412 in a design?

Yes - BC337-25,116 and BC337-25,412 share identical electrical specifications, h_FE binning, and SOT54 mechanical footprint. The only difference is packaging: BC337-25,116 is supplied in tape-and-reel (SOT54A), while BC337-25,412 is bulk-packed with straight leads (SOT54). No schematic or layout changes are needed; only assembly process (reel-fed vs. manual placement) differs.

What is the maximum power dissipation of BC337-25,116?

The BC337-25,116 has a total power dissipation (P_tot) of 625 mW at ambient temperature ≤ 25 °C on a standard FR4 PCB with single-sided copper. Derating is required above 25 °C - approximately 5 mW/°C - down to zero at 150 °C case temperature. This value is specified in Table 6 of the Nexperia datasheet and reflects its through-hole thermal performance advantage over SMT equivalents like BC817.

Is BC337-25,116 suitable for switching inductive loads?

Yes - BC337-25,116 is commonly used to switch inductive loads such as relays and small DC motors. Its 45 V V_CEO rating provides margin against flyback voltage spikes, and its 500 mA I_C rating supports typical coil currents. Always pair it with a reverse-biased flyback diode (e.g., 1N4148) across the load to clamp inductive kickback and prevent junction breakdown.