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

onsemi BC487G

Name: BC487G
Brand: onsemi
SKU: BC487G
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC487G

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-226-3, TO-92-3 Long Body

Datasheet:: BC487G.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 60V 0.5A TO92

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:5,596

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Product details

Overview

BC487G from ON Semiconductor is an NPN silicon general-purpose high-current transistor in TO-92 package, rated for 60 V_CEO, 500 mA continuous collector current, and 625 mW power dissipation at T_A = 25°C. It delivers h_FE = 40–260 (IC = 10–100 mA), V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.5 V (IC = 500 mA, IB = 50 mA), and f_T = 200 MHz - used in low-voltage switching and linear amplification stages of industrial control modules.

For engineers reviewing the BC487G datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this page provides verified electrical parameters, thermal behavior, safe operating area limits, and direct alternatives for discrete BJT replacement in cost-sensitive analog and switching circuits.

Technical Context

The BC487G operates as a medium-power NPN bipolar junction transistor with fixed gain structure optimized for DC and low-frequency switching up to ~100 kHz. Its V_BE(sat) = 0.85–1.2 V and V_CE(sat) = 0.2–0.5 V support efficient saturation in driver circuits, while R_JA = 200°C/W and R_JC = 83.3°C/W define thermal management requirements under PCB-mounted conditions.

It exhibits Cob = 7.0 pF and Cib = 50 pF at specified bias points, limiting high-frequency small-signal gain but enabling stable operation in audio preamps and relay drivers. The device's SOA curve includes second-breakdown constraints, requiring external base current limiting and heatsinking above 100 mA continuous load.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	60 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; sets rail limit in 24–48 V industrial logic-level switch designs.
I_C (continuous)	500 mA - Sustained collector current capability; supports driving solenoids, small relays, or LED arrays without forced cooling.
P_D @ T_A = 25°C	625 mW - Power dissipation limit at ambient; requires derating by 5 mW/°C above 25°C for board-level thermal design.
h_FE	40–260 - DC current gain range across IC = 10–100 mA; enables predictable base drive sizing in Class-A amplifiers and saturated switches.
f_T	200 MHz - Transition frequency at IC = 50 mA; confirms usable bandwidth up to ~10–20 MHz in RF detector or broadband amplifier roles.
V_CE(sat)	≤ 0.5 V @ IC = 500 mA, IB = 50 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in high-duty-cycle switching applications.
R_JA	200 °C/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance; defines required PCB copper area and airflow for thermal compliance.

Pinout & Package

BC487G uses the standard TO-92 (Case 29-11, Style 17) plastic package with straight or bent leads, Pb-free construction, and 5000 units per box. Dimensions comply with ANSI Y14.5M and ASME Y14.5M standards; lead pitch is 2.54 mm, body height ~4.7 mm.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Collector	Main current sink node; connects to load return path or positive rail in common-emitter configuration.
2	Base	Control input; requires current-limited drive (e.g., 1–10 kΩ series resistor) to ensure saturation without overdrive.
3	Emitter	Current source reference node; typically tied to ground or negative rail; must be low-impedance for stable biasing.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Pb-free TO-92 packaging	Complies with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU; eliminates lead contamination risk during reflow and end-of-life handling.
High f_T / low C_ob ratio	200 MHz f_T with only 7 pF output capacitance enables clean square-wave response in pulse generators up to 10 MHz.
Wide SOA with second-breakdown margin	Supports 100 ms pulses at 300 mA/40 V without thermal runaway; validated via Figure 6 in BC487/D Rev. 2.
Stable h_FE vs. temperature	h_FE variation < ±15% from −55°C to +125°C (Figure 7); reduces need for temperature-compensated bias networks.

Applications

Industrial Relay Drivers	DC Motor Speed Control
Use Scenario: Driving 24 VDC coil relays in PLC I/O modules with microcontroller GPIO outputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch providing current gain to interface low-current MCU pins to inductive loads. Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.5 V ensures < 125 mW dissipation at 500 mA, eliminating need for heatsinks in compact enclosures.	Use Scenario: PWM-based speed regulation of 12 V brushed DC motors in HVAC actuators. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switching element controlled by 3.3 V MCU timers with duty cycle modulation. Use Value: 200 MHz f_T and fast turn-on/off times (< 100 ns) maintain PWM fidelity up to 20 kHz without shoot-through distortion.
Audio Pre-amplifier Stages	Power Supply Error Amplifiers
Use Scenario: First-stage gain block in battery-powered microphone preamps with single-supply operation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier biased in active region for 20–20 kHz signal amplification. Use Value: h_FE = 160 min at IC = 100 mA ensures consistent gain stability across production lots and temperature ranges.	Use Scenario: Error amplifier in adjustable linear regulators (e.g., LM317-based supplies) requiring precise V_BE tracking. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Transistor configured as V_BE-multiplier or current mirror reference element. Use Value: Tight V_BE(sat) tolerance (0.85–0.9 V typ) and low R_VB temperature coefficient (−2.0 mV/°C) enable accurate reference voltage generation.

Industrial Relay Drivers

DC Motor Speed Control

Use Scenario: Driving 24 VDC coil relays in PLC I/O modules with microcontroller GPIO outputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch providing current gain to interface low-current MCU pins to inductive loads.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.5 V ensures < 125 mW dissipation at 500 mA, eliminating need for heatsinks in compact enclosures.

Use Scenario: PWM-based speed regulation of 12 V brushed DC motors in HVAC actuators.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switching element controlled by 3.3 V MCU timers with duty cycle modulation.

Use Value: 200 MHz f_T and fast turn-on/off times (< 100 ns) maintain PWM fidelity up to 20 kHz without shoot-through distortion.

Audio Pre-amplifier Stages

Power Supply Error Amplifiers

Use Scenario: First-stage gain block in battery-powered microphone preamps with single-supply operation.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier biased in active region for 20–20 kHz signal amplification.

Use Value: h_FE = 160 min at IC = 100 mA ensures consistent gain stability across production lots and temperature ranges.

Use Scenario: Error amplifier in adjustable linear regulators (e.g., LM317-based supplies) requiring precise V_BE tracking.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Transistor configured as V_BE-multiplier or current mirror reference element.

Use Value: Tight V_BE(sat) tolerance (0.85–0.9 V typ) and low R_VB temperature coefficient (−2.0 mV/°C) enable accurate reference voltage generation.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
BC547B	Lower I_C rating (100 mA), higher h_FE (200–450), same TO-92 package.	Better suited for low-current signal amplification; insufficient for >200 mA switching loads.	Select BC547B only when load current stays below 150 mA and higher gain is prioritized over power handling.
MPSA13	Higher I_C (500 mA), higher V_CEO (60 V), but lower f_T (50 MHz) and larger Cob (12 pF).	Preferred for high-voltage, low-frequency switching where RF performance is not critical.	Choose MPSA13 when replacing BC487G in legacy 60 V relay drivers where bandwidth < 5 MHz is acceptable.

Compared with BC547B and MPSA13, BC487G uniquely balances 500 mA current capability, 200 MHz bandwidth, and 60 V rating in a cost-effective TO-92 package - making it optimal for mid-power industrial switching where both speed and robustness matter.

Availability

BC487G is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial relay drivers, DC motor controllers, audio pre-amplifiers, and linear regulator error amplifiers requiring stable component supply and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for BC487G 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

ON Semiconductor is a global semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, analog, sensor, and discrete devices for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The BC487G belongs to ON Semiconductor's legacy general-purpose BJT product line, designed for cost-sensitive, medium-power linear and switching applications in industrial controls and power supplies.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for BC487G?

The BC487G is rated for 500 mA continuous collector current (I_C) at T_A = 25°C. Derating is required above this temperature - 5 mW/°C for power dissipation - and actual current capability drops with rising ambient or junction temperature due to thermal limitations defined in its SOA curve.

Does BC487G have Pb-free packaging?

Yes, BC487G is explicitly marked as Pb-free in the ON Semiconductor datasheet (BC487/D Rev. 2). It uses a RoHS-compliant TO-92 package with lead finish meeting JEDEC J-STD-609 Category 1 requirements, confirmed by the "G" suffix and packaging note on page 1.

What is the typical transition frequency (f_T) of BC487G?

The typical transition frequency (f_T) of BC487G is 200 MHz, measured at I_C = 50 mA, V_CE = 2.0 V, and f = 100 MHz. This value is specified in the Electrical Characteristics table on page 2 of the BC487/D datasheet and reflects its usable bandwidth in small-signal amplification.

Can BC487G replace BC487 or BC487B in existing designs?

Yes, BC487G is a Pb-free variant of the BC487 family and shares identical electrical specifications, pinout, and TO-92 mechanical dimensions with BC487 and BC487B. No layout or schematic changes are needed - only requalification for lead-free assembly processes is required.

What is the thermal resistance from junction to case (R_JC) for BC487G?

The thermal resistance from junction to case (R_JC) for BC487G is 83.3°C/W, as specified in the Thermal Characteristics table on page 1 of the BC487/D datasheet. This value applies under standard mounting conditions and is used to calculate junction temperature rise when heatsinking the case directly.

BC487G Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-226-3, TO-92-3 Long Body

Packaging:: Bulk

Product Status:: Obsolete

Transistor Type:: NPN

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 500 mA

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 60 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 300mV @ 100mA, 1A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 100nA (ICBO)

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 60 @ 100mA, 5V

Power - Max:: 625 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 200MHz

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

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-92 (TO-226)

BC487G FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC487G through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC487G 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 BC487G reliable?

The price and inventory of BC487G are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC487G is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC487G?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC487G transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC487G?

BC487G orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC487G 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 BC487G?

For technical support, including BC487G datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC487G requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC487G is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC487G 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 BC487G meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC487G?

All BC487G units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC487G, 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 BC487G part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC487G:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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