Nexperia USA Inc. BC817-16,215

Overview

BC817-16,215 from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 45 V V_CEO, 500 mA continuous collector current, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 100–250 at V_CE = 1 V and I_C = 100 mA. It serves as a low-voltage switching or linear amplification device in consumer power management, LED driver stages, and microcontroller interface circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC817-16,215 datasheet, BC817-16,215 pinout, BC817-16,215 application, or BC817-16,215 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, base-emitter saturation voltage under load, collector-emitter saturation voltage at 500 mA, and real-world switching performance across temperature ranges - all critical for discrete BJT selection in cost-sensitive, space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

The BC817-16,215 operates as a silicon planar epitaxial NPN transistor with a maximum junction temperature of 150 °C and absolute maximum V_CBO = 50 V, V_CEO = 45 V, and V_EBO = 5 V. Its pulsed peak collector current reaches 1 A (t_p ≤ 1 ms), supporting short-duration surge handling in relay drivers and pulse-width modulated loads.

Thermal resistance from junction to ambient is 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB (single-sided copper, tin-plated, standard footprint), rising to 362 K/W with enhanced 1 cm² collector pad - enabling precise thermal design for sustained 500 mA operation within ambient limits of –65 °C to +150 °C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads, 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm body size, and 0.95 mm height; optimized for automated reflow assembly and space-constrained PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC817-16,215, BC847B,215 trades current capacity for tighter gain control at low bias, while MMBT3904LT1G matches voltage and gain specs but lacks the 345 mW power dissipation margin needed for sustained 500 mA operation on standard FR4.

Availability

BC817-16,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver stages, microcontroller interface circuits, relay control circuits, and power supply enable switches requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and consistent parametric performance across production lots.

Supply support for BC817-16,215 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 and industrial-grade components.

The BC817 series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose transistor product line, engineered for cost-effective, robust switching and amplification in consumer, industrial, and computing applications where reliability and standardized packaging are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current for BC817-16,215 at 70 °C ambient?

At 70 °C ambient temperature, the maximum continuous collector current is derated to approximately 420 mA. This follows the standard power derating curve: total power dissipation drops linearly from 345 mW at 25 °C to zero at 150 °C junction temperature, resulting in ~25 % reduction at 70 °C ambient on a standard FR4 PCB.

Can BC817-16,215 replace BC817-25 or BC817-40 in existing designs?

No - BC817-16,215 has a lower h_FE range (100–250) than BC817-25 (160–400) and BC817-40 (250–600). Substituting it into a design tuned for higher gain may cause incomplete saturation, increased V_CE(sat), or thermal stress under full load. Gain selection must match original design intent.

Is BC817-16,215 qualified for automotive applications?

No - per Nexperia's revision history (Rev. 8, July 2022), the BC817 series is explicitly marked as non-automotive qualified. It lacks AEC-Q101 testing, automotive-grade process controls, and extended temperature validation required for under-hood or safety-critical vehicle systems.

What is the typical transition frequency (f_T) and how does it affect switching speed?

The typical f_T is 100 MHz at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 10 mA, and 100 MHz test frequency. This indicates usable bandwidth for switching frequencies up to ~10 MHz with acceptable gain roll-off, making it suitable for PWM dimming, digital logic interfacing, and audio pre-amplification - but not RF or high-speed data line applications.