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

onsemi BC516

Name: BC516
Brand: onsemi
SKU: BC516
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC516

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

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

Datasheet:: BC516.pdf

Description:: TRANS PNP DARL 30V 1A TO-92-3

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC516 from onsemi is a PNP Darlington transistor optimized for high-current-gain switching applications up to 1 A, featuring −30 V V_CEO, 30,000 minimum h_FE at −20 mA, and −1 V V_CE(sat) at −100 mA/−0.1 mA drive-used in relay drivers, lamp drivers, and low-frequency power switches.

For engineers reviewing the BC516 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include guaranteed high DC current gain at 20–100 mA, TO-92 thermal limits (625 mW, R_θJA = 200 °C/W), and PNP Darlington architecture requiring base current limiting in linear or saturated operation.

Technical Context

The BC516 implements a monolithic PNP Darlington pair with integrated emitter-base resistor network absent in standard transistors-enabling ultra-high h_FE (>30,000) while maintaining stable bias under varying load conditions. Its −40 V V_CBO and −10 V V_EBO support robust reverse-bias margin in inductive load commutation.

Designed for DC and low-frequency (<200 MHz f_T) switching, it operates within −55 °C to +150 °C junction range and delivers −1 V saturation voltage only when driven with sufficient base current (IB ≥ −0.1 mA at IC = −100 mA), making gate/base drive design critical for full saturation.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	−30 V: Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines safe operating voltage headroom in PNP switch configurations.
h_FE	30,000 min @ IC = −20 mA, V_CE = −2 V: Enables microampere-level base drive for 20 mA collector loads-reducing MCU GPIO burden.
V_CE(sat)	−1 V max @ IC = −100 mA, IB = −0.1 mA: Confirms deep saturation with minimal conduction loss in relay or solenoid driver stages.
f_T	200 MHz typ @ IC = −10 mA, V_CE = −5 V: Indicates usable bandwidth for low-speed digital switching-not for RF or fast PWM.
P_D	625 mW @ T_A = 25 °C: Thermal limit on FR-4 PCB; derates to zero at +150 °C junction-requires heatsinking above ~300 mW dissipation.
R_θJA	200 °C/W: Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance on standard 76 mm × 114 mm FR-4 board-dictates temperature rise per watt dissipated.

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-92-3 (Case 135AR), molded plastic with 4.83 mm × 4.76 mm footprint and lead-formed terminals. Standard through-hole mounting with 2.54 mm pin pitch.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 (Collector)	Main current sink terminal	Connected to load return path (e.g., relay coil common); must withstand −30 V reverse bias and −1 A continuous current.
2 (Base)	Control input for Darlington pair	Receives low-current drive (e.g., MCU GPIO); requires external series resistor to limit IB and prevent thermal runaway.
3 (Emitter)	Current source reference terminal	Typically tied to positive rail in high-side switch configuration; carries full load current and sets V_EBO stress limit (−10 V).

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Ultra-high DC current gain	h_FE ≥ 30,000 at −20 mA enables single-stage amplification of weak control signals without additional driver stages.
Low saturation voltage	V_CE(sat) ≤ −1 V at −100 mA ensures <100 mW conduction loss-critical for thermally constrained relay/solenoid interfaces.
Pb-free construction	RoHS-compliant packaging meets industrial and automotive end-equipment environmental requirements without lead-based solder concerns.
Wide junction temperature range	−55 °C to +150 °C operation supports deployment in automotive engine compartments and industrial motor controls.

Applications

Relay Driver Circuit	Lamp Driver Module
Use Scenario: Driving 12 V/500 mA electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules where space and component count are constrained. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP Darlington switch providing high-gain current amplification between microcontroller GPIO and relay coil. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete base-resistor networks or secondary driver transistors-reducing BOM cost and PCB area by >30%.	Use Scenario: Controlling incandescent or halogen indicator lamps (up to 1 A) in medical device front panels with strict EMI and thermal limits. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-current, low-saturation switch interfacing between isolated logic and lamp anode supply. Use Value: −1 V V_CE(sat) minimizes self-heating during continuous 1 A operation-enabling 100% duty cycle without heatsink.
Motor Starter Interface	Industrial Sensor Power Switch
Use Scenario: Enabling brushed DC motors (24 V, 800 mA) in HVAC damper actuators using 3.3 V microcontroller outputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain PNP switch translating logic-level enable signals into motor power path control. Use Value: 30,000 h_FE allows direct drive from 3.3 V GPIO with only 33 kΩ base resistor-avoiding level-shifter ICs.	Use Scenario: Sequencing power to analog sensor subcircuits (e.g., RTD transmitters) in factory automation nodes with brown-out immunity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Controlled high-side power switch enabling/disabling sensor V_CC rails under firmware supervision. Use Value: −40 V V_CBO and −10 V V_EBO ensure reliable turn-off during supply transients and back-EMF events.

Relay Driver Circuit

Lamp Driver Module

Use Scenario: Driving 12 V/500 mA electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules where space and component count are constrained.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP Darlington switch providing high-gain current amplification between microcontroller GPIO and relay coil.

Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete base-resistor networks or secondary driver transistors-reducing BOM cost and PCB area by >30%.

Use Scenario: Controlling incandescent or halogen indicator lamps (up to 1 A) in medical device front panels with strict EMI and thermal limits.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-current, low-saturation switch interfacing between isolated logic and lamp anode supply.

Use Value: −1 V V_CE(sat) minimizes self-heating during continuous 1 A operation-enabling 100% duty cycle without heatsink.

Motor Starter Interface

Industrial Sensor Power Switch

Use Scenario: Enabling brushed DC motors (24 V, 800 mA) in HVAC damper actuators using 3.3 V microcontroller outputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain PNP switch translating logic-level enable signals into motor power path control.

Use Value: 30,000 h_FE allows direct drive from 3.3 V GPIO with only 33 kΩ base resistor-avoiding level-shifter ICs.

Use Scenario: Sequencing power to analog sensor subcircuits (e.g., RTD transmitters) in factory automation nodes with brown-out immunity.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Controlled high-side power switch enabling/disabling sensor V_CC rails under firmware supervision.

Use Value: −40 V V_CBO and −10 V V_EBO ensure reliable turn-off during supply transients and back-EMF events.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP Darlington transistor applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
BC517	Same TO-92 package, identical pinout, but higher V_CEO (−40 V) and lower h_FE (min 20,000); no internal base-emitter resistor.	Suitable for higher-voltage inductive loads where gain margin is less critical than breakdown rating.	Select BC517 when system V_CC exceeds 30 V or transient spikes exceed −30 V.
MPSA14	TO-92, PNP Darlington, V_CEO = −30 V, h_FE = 10,000–40,000 (wide spread), V_CE(sat) = −1.5 V typical at same conditions.	Broader h_FE tolerance impacts base resistor design; higher V_CE(sat) increases conduction loss.	Choose MPSA14 only if BC516 is unavailable and design tolerates higher saturation voltage and gain variation.

Compared with BC517 and MPSA14, the BC516 offers the highest guaranteed DC current gain (30,000 min) at −20 mA and lowest specified V_CE(sat) (−1 V), making it optimal for low-drive, low-loss switching where consistent high gain is required across production lots.

Availability

BC516 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for relay drivers, lamp drivers, and industrial sensor power switches requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and RoHS-compliant through-hole discretes.

Supply support for BC516 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 supplier specializing in energy-efficient power, analog, sensor, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, cloud, and consumer markets.

The BC516 belongs to onsemi's legacy bipolar transistor portfolio designed specifically for high-gain, medium-power linear and switching applications in industrial control, appliance, and instrumentation systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for BC516?

The BC516 has a maximum continuous collector current (I_C) rating of −1 A at T_A = 25 °C. This rating assumes proper PCB thermal management per the datasheet's FR-4 layout guidelines. At elevated ambient temperatures or with reduced copper area, derating is required-e.g., I_C drops to approximately −500 mA at 70 °C ambient. The BC516 must not be operated beyond this limit to avoid permanent degradation of h_FE or thermal runaway.

Does BC516 include an internal base-emitter resistor?

No, the BC516 does not integrate a base-emitter resistor. It is a standard two-junction PNP Darlington transistor requiring an external base resistor to set operating point and prevent thermal instability. Unlike some digital transistors (e.g., NSM1012MR), the BC516 relies on discrete biasing-giving designers full control over gain, speed, and saturation depth. Always verify base resistor value using the BC516's specified h_FE and target I_C.

Can BC516 be used in place of BC517?

The BC516 and BC517 share identical TO-92 pinout and PNP Darlington topology but differ in key parameters: BC517 specifies −40 V V_CEO and minimum h_FE of 20,000, whereas BC516 guarantees −30 V V_CEO and 30,000 h_FE. Substitution is possible only if system voltage stays below −30 V and higher gain is not required. For designs needing −40 V margin, BC517 remains the safer choice; BC516 should not be substituted into BC517-referenced layouts without verifying voltage stress margins.

What is the thermal resistance junction-to-ambient (R_θJA) for BC516?

The BC516 has a specified R_θJA of 200 °C/W under standard test conditions: FR-4 PCB, 76 mm × 114 mm size, minimum land pattern, and T_A = 25 °C. This value assumes no added copper pour or heatsinking. In compact layouts or higher ambient environments, actual R_θJA may increase significantly-requiring thermal simulation or empirical testing. The BC516's 625 mW power dissipation limit corresponds to a 125 °C junction rise above ambient at full rating.

Is BC516 suitable for high-frequency switching applications?

No, the BC516 is not intended for high-frequency switching. Its 200 MHz current-gain bandwidth (f_T) is measured under small-signal conditions and does not reflect switching speed in hard-saturation. Turn-on/turn-off times are not characterized in the datasheet, and its Darlington structure introduces storage delay that limits practical use to frequencies below 100 kHz. For PWM or SMPS applications, dedicated MOSFETs or faster bipolar transistors (e.g., MMBT5401) are recommended instead of BC516.

BC516 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:: PNP - Darlington

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 1 A

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

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 1V @ 100µA, 100mA

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

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 30000 @ 20mA, 2V

Power - Max:: 625 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 200MHz

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

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-92-3

BC516 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC516 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC516 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 BC516 reliable?

The price and inventory of BC516 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC516 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC516?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC516 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC516?

BC516 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC516 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 BC516?

For technical support, including BC516 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC516 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC516 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC516 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 BC516 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC516?

All BC516 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC516, 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 BC516 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC516:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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