Nexperia USA Inc. BC816-25VL
- Part No.:
- BC816-25VL
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC816-25VL.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 80V 0.5A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:49,470
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Product details
Overview
BC816-25VL from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101 qualified NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 80 V VCEO, 500 mA continuous IC, and offering hFE of 160–400 at VCE = 1 V / IC = 100 mA. It serves as a robust switching and amplification device in automotive 48 V board nets and industrial control signal stages.
For engineers reviewing the BC816-25VL datasheet, BC816-25VL pinout, BC816-25VL application, or BC816-25VL equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, SOT23 terminal mapping, automotive qualification status, and direct alternatives with documented gain and voltage trade-offs.
Technical Context
This discrete NPN bipolar junction transistor operates in linear or saturated switching modes, with V(BR)CEO = 80 V and V(BR)CBO = 80 V ensuring reliable blocking in 48 V automotive systems. Its pulsed ICM = 1 A and Ptot = 345 mW (on FR4 with 1 cm² collector pad) support transient load handling in relay drivers and sensor interface circuits.
The device exhibits fT = 100 MHz and Cc = 2 pF, enabling stable operation up to mid-frequency signal conditioning. Thermal resistance Rth(j-a) = 363 K/W under optimized PCB layout confirms suitability for thermally constrained SMT applications without forced cooling.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 80 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; supports 48 V automotive rail with 66% safety margin. |
| IC | 500 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; sufficient for driving small relays, LEDs, or logic-level MOSFET gates. |
| hFE | 160–400 - DC current gain at VCE = 1 V / IC = 100 mA; enables low-base-drive designs in saturation-switching applications. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤400 mV at IC = 500 mA / IB = 50 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and self-heating during on-state operation. |
| Ptot | 345 mW - Total power dissipation on FR4 PCB with 1 cm² collector copper; defines maximum steady-state thermal load without heatsinking. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency; validates usability in audio preamplifier stages and PWM signal buffering up to ~10 MHz. |
| Rth(j-a) | 363 K/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance with enhanced PCB layout; informs thermal design margin for ambient temperatures up to 125 °C. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package: 3-terminal, lead-free, RoHS-compliant, 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm × 1.0 mm body height, standard footprint compatible with reflow and wave soldering per Figures 13–14.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Control input node; requires ≥10 mA base drive for full saturation at 500 mA collector current. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Common reference terminal; internally connected to substrate; must be tied to system ground or low-side return path. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | High-side output node; carries load current; electrically isolated from package tab (no thermal pad). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive temperature range (−40 °C to +150 °C) and stress testing including HTGB, HTRB, and ESD-HBM ≥8 kV. |
| High-voltage capability | 80 V VCEO and VCB ratings enable use in 48 V battery systems without derating for transients up to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a. |
| Two hFE grades | BC816-25 offers 160–400 hFE, providing tighter gain distribution than BC816-16 (100–250), reducing base resistor tolerance sensitivity. |
| Low VCE(sat) | ≤400 mV at IC/IB = 10 ensures <100 mW conduction loss at 500 mA, critical for thermally constrained PCB layouts. |
| Thermal robustness | Junction temperature limit of 150 °C and Tstg = −65 to +150 °C support extended-life deployment in engine bay and powertrain modules. |
Applications
| Automotive 48 V Board Net Switching | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Controlling solenoid valves and HVAC actuators in 48 V mild-hybrid vehicle architectures. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete NPN switch interfacing microcontroller GPIO to inductive loads via flyback diode protection. Use Value: 80 V VCEO withstands load-dump transients; AEC-Q101 qualification ensures reliability over 15-year vehicle lifetime. |
Use Scenario: Amplifying low-level analog outputs from pressure or temperature sensors in PLC I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Linear-mode common-emitter amplifier with fixed bias network for DC-coupled signal gain. Use Value: 160–400 hFE enables predictable gain stability across temperature; fT = 100 MHz supports bandwidth up to 10 MHz. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Control | Power Supply Enable/Sequencing |
Use Scenario: Driving small brushed DC motors in smart home appliances (e.g., robotic vacuum cleaners, coffee grinders). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch in half-bridge configuration, controlled by PWM from MCU timer output. Use Value: 500 mA IC and ≤400 mV VCE(sat) limit conduction loss to <200 mW, minimizing thermal rise on compact PCBs. |
Use Scenario: Enabling auxiliary rails (e.g., 3.3 V, 5 V) in multi-output AC/DC adapters and industrial SMPS units. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side or low-side enable switch controlling gate of downstream PMOS/NMOS pass FET. Use Value: Fast turn-on/off characteristics (ton/toff < 100 ns typical) ensure precise power sequencing timing within ±1 ms. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN general-purpose transistor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC816-25 | Same die, identical specifications; differs only in marking code (%GU vs %GV) and internal lot traceability. | No functional difference; both meet AEC-Q101 and share identical thermal, electrical, and mechanical specs. | Select BC816-25VL when requiring Nexperia's validated automotive-grade logistics chain and full traceability documentation. |
| MMBT3904LT1G | Lower VCEO = 40 V, hFE = 100–300, Ptot = 310 mW; not AEC-Q101 qualified. | Suitable only for 12 V/24 V non-automotive systems; lacks automotive stress test validation and high-temp reliability data. | Choose only for cost-sensitive consumer applications where 48 V transient immunity and 150 °C operation are not required. |
Compared with BC816-25VL, BC816-25 offers identical performance with alternate logistics coding, while MMBT3904LT1G sacrifices 40 V headroom, 100 mW power margin, and automotive qualification-making it unsuitable for 48 V board net use.
Availability
BC816-25VL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, and consumer appliance motor control requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle programs.
Supply support for BC816-25VL 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 semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and advanced packaging technologies.
The BC816 series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor portfolio, engineered specifically for robust switching and amplification in 48 V automotive networks and industrial control systems.
FAQ
Is BC816-25VL pin-compatible with BC846 or BC847 series transistors?
No. BC816-25VL uses SOT23 pinout (1=B, 2=E, 3=C), while BC846/BC847 also follow this arrangement-but their VCEO is only 65 V and hFE range differs (110–800). Substitution requires verification of voltage margin and gain stability in the target circuit, especially under 48 V transients.
What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?
The absolute maximum peak base current is 200 mA (single pulse, tp ≤ 1 ms), but for DC operation, IB must be limited to ensure junction temperature stays below 150 °C. At IC = 500 mA and hFE = 160, recommended IB = 3.125 mA; practical design uses 5–10 mA to guarantee saturation across temperature.
Does BC816-25VL require a heatsink in standard SMT applications?
No. With Ptot = 345 mW and Rth(j-a) = 363 K/W on FR4 with 1 cm² collector copper, junction temperature rise is ~125 K at full power-acceptable up to +25 °C ambient. For ambient >50 °C or sustained 500 mA loads, increase copper area or reduce duty cycle instead of adding a heatsink.
Can BC816-25VL be used in linear regulator pass transistor roles?
Yes, but with strict thermal limits. As a pass element, it must operate within VCE × IC ≤ 345 mW and Tj ≤ 150 °C. For example, at 12 V dropout and 25 mA load, power dissipation is 300 mW-near the limit. Use only with adequate PCB copper and avoid >50 mA continuous loads without derating.
BC816-25VL Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- BC816
- Package/Case:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Transistor Type:
- NPN
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 500 mA
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 80 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 400mV @ 50mA, 500mA
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 100nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 160 @ 100mA, 1V
- Power - Max:
- 300 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC816-25VL FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC816-25VL through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC816-25VL 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 BC816-25VL reliable?
The price and inventory of BC816-25VL are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC816-25VL is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC816-25VL?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC816-25VL transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC816-25VL?
BC816-25VL orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC816-25VL 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 BC816-25VL?
For technical support, including BC816-25VL datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC816-25VL requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC816-25VL is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC816-25VL 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 BC816-25VL meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC816-25VL?
All BC816-25VL units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC816-25VL, 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 BC816-25VL part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC816-25VL:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC816-25VL Tags

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MMBT3904LT1G
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Nexperia USA Inc.

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MMBTA06LT1G
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