Nexperia USA Inc. BC817-16W,115

Overview

BC817-16W from Nexperia is a 45 V, 500 mA NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) package, optimized for low-power switching and linear amplification with h_FE of 100–250 at V_CE = 1 V and I_C = 100 mA, V_CE(sat) ≤ 700 mV at I_C = 500 mA/I_B = 50 mA, and f_T = 100 MHz - used in LED drivers, signal buffering, and microcontroller I/O interface circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC817-16W datasheet, BC817-16W pinout, BC817-16W application, or BC817-16W equivalent, this page delivers verified pin functions, thermal derating behavior, h_FE binning context, and validated alternatives for discrete BJT replacement in space-constrained consumer and industrial PCBs.

Technical Context

This NPN bipolar junction transistor operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with defined absolute maximum ratings: V_CEO = 45 V, I_C = 500 mA continuous, I_CM = 1 A peak, and T_j ≤ 150 °C. Its SOT323 package enables high-density placement while maintaining thermal resistance R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W on standard FR4.

The device exhibits pulsed h_FE of 100–250 under V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 100 mA, δ ≤ 0.02 conditions, with V_BE ≈ 1.2 V and C_c = 3 pF - supporting stable small-signal gain and fast switching in 100 kHz–10 MHz applications without external compensation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mounted package: 1.35 mm × 1.75 mm footprint, 0.65 mm pitch, 0.9 mm height; thermally optimized for reflow soldering with 1 cm² collector pad option (R_th(j-a) = 431 K/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC847BW and MMBT3904LT1G, BC817-16W uniquely balances 45 V breakdown, 500 mA current, and 100–250 h_FE in SC-70 - making it the only option among the three qualified for 24 V industrial I/O switching with single-device simplicity.

Availability

BC817-16W is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, microcontroller I/O buffering, signal amplification stages, and power supply enable switching requiring stable component supply across high-mix, low-volume production runs.

Supply support for BC817-16W 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 BC817W series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose bipolar transistor product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications demanding consistent DC gain, low saturation voltage, and robust thermal performance in SMT packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current for BC817-16W?

The BC817-16W supports 500 mA continuous collector current at T_amb ≤ 25 °C on a standard FR4 PCB with single-sided copper. Derating applies above 25 °C per Fig. 1: power dissipation drops linearly to zero at 150 °C junction temperature.

Is BC817-16W suitable for automotive applications?

No - BC817-16W is non-automotive qualified per Rev. 8 (2022) datasheet. It lacks AEC-Q101 qualification and automotive-specific testing. For automotive use, Nexperia offers the -Q qualified BC817-16Q series with extended temperature and reliability validation.

How does the h_FE binning affect circuit design?

BC817-16W's guaranteed h_FE range of 100–250 at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 100 mA means base resistors must be sized for worst-case gain (h_FE = 100) to ensure saturation. Designs relying on h_FE > 200 should use BC817-25W or BC817-40W variants instead.

Can BC817-16W replace BC817-25W in existing designs?

Yes, but only if circuit gain requirements accommodate the lower h_FE ceiling (250 vs. 400). If original design relies on minimum h_FE ≥ 160 for stable biasing, BC817-16W (min h_FE = 100) may cause partial turn-on or increased V_CE(sat); verify operating point with worst-case h_FE = 100.