NXP Semiconductors BC546B,116

Overview

BC546B,116 from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in SOT23 surface-mount package, rated for 65 V V_CEO, 100 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 200–450 at I_C = 2 mA. It serves as a low-voltage switching or small-signal amplification device in consumer power management and signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC546B,116 datasheet, BC546B,116 pinout, BC546B,116 application, or BC546B,116 equivalent, key selection criteria include its SOT23 footprint compatibility, guaranteed h_FE group B specification, thermal resistance of 500 K/W, and suitability for space-constrained PCBs requiring discrete gain control or load switching.

Technical Context

This transistor operates as a standard NPN BJT with base-controlled current amplification. Its design supports linear amplification at low collector currents (e.g., 2–10 mA) and saturated switching at higher drive levels (e.g., I_B = 5 mA for I_C = 100 mA). The device exhibits V_BE(sat) ≤ 900 mV and V_CE(sat) ≤ 400 mV under full-load conditions.

Thermal performance is defined for FR4 PCB mounting with single-sided copper; R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W confirms its use in ambient-temperature-stable applications up to +150 °C junction temperature. Cut-off leakage (I_CBO ≤ 15 nA at 25 °C) ensures reliable off-state isolation in battery-powered systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BC546B,116 is housed in a SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mount package measuring 2.9 mm × 1.3 mm × 0.95 mm, optimized for automated placement and reflow soldering on compact PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC546B,116, BC846B,215 offers identical performance in identical packaging-only logistics differ-while MMBT3904LT1G trades guaranteed high h_FE for broader vendor availability at reduced voltage tolerance, necessitating schematic and bias validation.

Availability

BC546B,116 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver control, audio signal amplification, power rail switching, and logic-level translation requiring stable component supply across industrial, consumer, and computing product lifecycles.

Supply support for BC546B,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 division, with focus on automotive, industrial, computing, and consumer markets.

The BC546B,116 belongs to Nexperia's BC846 series of general-purpose NPN transistors, engineered for reliable switching and amplification in cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where SMT compatibility and gain consistency are essential.

FAQ

What is the package type and footprint compatibility of BC546B,116?

BC546B,116 uses the SOT23 (TO-236AB) surface-mount package with standardized 2.9 mm × 1.3 mm outline and 1.9 mm lead pitch. It shares footprint compatibility with other JEDEC-compliant SOT23 transistors like BC847B and MMBT3904, enabling layout reuse across designs-provided thermal and gain requirements align. The device is optimized for reflow soldering per IPC-J-STD-020 guidelines.

Does BC546B,116 meet automotive qualification standards?

No, BC546B,116 is not automotive-qualified. Per Nexperia documentation, it is intended for industrial, consumer, and computing applications-not safety-critical or AEC-Q101-compliant automotive use. Its datasheet explicitly states non-automotive qualification, and no AEC test reports or stress data are published for this variant. For automotive designs, consult Nexperia's dedicated automotive-grade BC846B-Q series.

What is the guaranteed h_FE range for BC546B,116 and how is it tested?

BC546B,116 guarantees h_FE = 200–450 at V_CE = 5 V and I_C = 2 mA, defining its "group B" classification. This range is verified during final test using automated parametric testers per IEC 60747-9, with 100% screening applied to production lots. The specification ensures predictable bias point stability across temperature and process variation without requiring gain-bin sorting in system design.

Can BC546B,116 replace BC547B in existing designs?

Yes, BC546B,116 is a direct functional replacement for BC547B in most applications: both are NPN SOT23 transistors with identical V_CEO (65 V), I_C (100 mA), and h_FE group B (200–450) specifications. Pinout, thermal characteristics, and switching behavior match precisely. No PCB or schematic changes are required-only verification of marking code (1B) and packaging format (tape-and-reel 3000 pcs).

What is the maximum junction temperature and thermal derating behavior of BC546B,116?

BC546B,116 has a maximum junction temperature (T_j) of 150 °C and thermal resistance R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB with single-sided copper. Power dissipation must be linearly derated above +25 °C ambient: P_tot decreases by 2.5 mW/°C beyond that point, reaching zero at +125 °C ambient. This derating curve is validated per IEC 60134 limiting values methodology.