Nexperia USA Inc. BC817-40-QR
- Part No.:
- BC817-40-QR
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC817-40-QR.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 45V 0.5A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:12,271
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Product details
Overview
BC817-40-QR from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 45 V VCEO, 500 mA continuous IC, and DC current gain (hFE) of 250–600 at VCE = 1 V, IC = 100 mA. It serves as a robust switching and amplification device in automotive body control modules, LED driver stages, and power supply enable circuits.
For engineers reviewing the BC817-40-QR datasheet, BC817-40-QR pinout, BC817-40-QR application, or BC817-40-QR equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, base-emitter saturation voltage under load, collector-emitter saturation performance at 500 mA, and validated automotive-grade reliability data - all critical for BOM validation and functional safety-critical designs.
Technical Context
This transistor operates as a single-element NPN bipolar junction device with defined absolute maximum ratings: 45 V collector-emitter breakdown, 500 mA DC collector current, and 150 °C maximum junction temperature. Its hFE binning (250–600) ensures predictable current amplification across production lots.
Thermal resistance from junction-to-ambient is 362 K/W on FR4 PCB with 1 cm² collector pad, enabling stable operation up to 125 °C ambient when power dissipation remains ≤345 mW. Pulse handling capability supports 1 A peak collector current for ≤1 ms pulses.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 45 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines rail compatibility in 24 V automotive systems. |
| IC | 500 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; supports medium-power switching loads like relays and small solenoids. |
| hFE | 250–600 at VCE = 1 V, IC = 100 mA - High and tightly binned current gain enables precise base drive sizing and low-loss switching. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤700 mV at IC = 500 mA, IB = 50 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss and self-heating in high-duty-cycle applications. |
| Ptot | 345 mW on FR4 with 1 cm² collector pad - Defines practical power handling limit under standard PCB layout conditions. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms suitability for audio-frequency amplification and fast digital switching up to ~10 MHz. |
| Rth(j-a) | 362 K/W - Thermal resistance value used to calculate junction temperature rise under real PCB mounting conditions. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads; compact 2.9 mm × 1.3 mm footprint and 1.1 mm height; optimized for reflow and wave soldering per IPC-7351 standards.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires 1.2 V forward bias and ~12 mA drive for full 500 mA switching. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Reference terminal for current flow; connected to ground or low-side return path in common-emitter configurations. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | High-current output node; carries switched load current and connects to positive rail or inductive load. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive underhood and cabin applications including temperature cycling, humidity, and mechanical shock testing. |
| Three hFE bins | BC817-40-Q provides 250–600 hFE, enabling consistent gain matching across production batches without manual sorting. |
| Low VCE(sat) | 700 mV max at full 500 mA load ensures <1.2 W power loss in worst-case switching, reducing thermal design burden. |
| High fT | 100 MHz transition frequency supports clean square-wave switching and linear amplification up to audio band. |
| Robust thermal derating | Power dissipation maintains ≥200 mW capability even at 100 °C ambient, supporting extended industrial temperature range use. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module | LED Driver Stage |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Driving 12 V incandescent lamps, door lock actuators, and HVAC fan speed controls in vehicle interior electronics. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch controlling load current between battery rail and ground; operates in saturated mode with fixed base drive. Use Value: AEC-Q101 qualification ensures long-term reliability under vibration, thermal cycling, and load dump transients. |
Use Scenario: Constant-current switching stage for multi-segment automotive LED clusters (tail lights, DRLs). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-VCE(sat) current sink regulating LED string current via PWM-modulated base drive. Use Value: 700 mV saturation voltage minimizes heat generation in confined lamp housings and extends LED lifetime. |
| Industrial Power Supply Enable | Microcontroller GPIO Expander |
|
Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling auxiliary 5 V or 3.3 V rails in programmable logic controllers and sensor interface boards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain NPN buffer isolating MCU GPIO from higher-current enable lines; driven by 3.3 V logic. Use Value: 250–600 hFE ensures reliable turn-on with minimal base current, reducing MCU I/O loading and leakage risk. |
Use Scenario: Extending limited GPIO count on Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers to drive discrete indicators, buzzers, or small relays. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: General-purpose amplification and level-shifting element translating 3.3 V logic to 5 V/12 V loads. Use Value: SOT23 footprint allows dense placement near MCU; 100 MHz fT supports clean signal edge integrity at 1–5 MHz toggle rates. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN switching applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC817-40,115 (Nexperia) | No AEC-Q101 qualification; identical electrical specs and SOT23 package. | Not approved for automotive use; suitable for commercial/industrial grade only. | Select when automotive qualification is not required and cost sensitivity is higher. |
| MMBT4401LT1G (onsemi) | 40 V VCEO, 600 mA IC, hFE 100–300; AEC-Q101 qualified but lower gain binning. | Higher current rating but narrower hFE range limits precision base drive design. | Choose when higher IC headroom is needed and gain consistency is secondary. |
Compared with BC817-40-QR, the BC817-40,115 lacks automotive qualification but matches all electrical parameters, while MMBT4401LT1G trades gain consistency for higher current capacity - making BC817-40-QR optimal where AEC-Q101 compliance and tight hFE control are mandatory.
Availability
BC817-40-QR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, LED lighting control, industrial power sequencing, and microcontroller peripheral interfacing requiring stable component supply and guaranteed AEC-Q101 compliance.
Supply support for BC817-40-QR 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 essential efficiency-enhancing components, delivering high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
The BC817-Q series was designed specifically for automotive-grade general-purpose switching and amplification, emphasizing AEC-Q101 qualification, tight hFE binning, and robust thermal performance in space-constrained SMT layouts.
FAQ
Is BC817-40-QR pin-compatible with BC847 or BC547 series transistors?
No. BC817-40-QR uses SOT23 package with pin order Base–Emitter–Collector (1–2–3), whereas BC847 and BC547 in TO-92 or SOT323 have different pinouts and gain profiles. Substitution requires PCB layout revision and gain-dependent circuit recalibration.
What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?
The absolute maximum peak base current is 200 mA per datasheet limiting values, but for continuous DC operation, base current must be sized to maintain IC/IB ≤ 10 to ensure saturation - e.g., ≤50 mA for 500 mA collector current. Exceeding this risks thermal runaway and reduced reliability.
Does BC817-40-QR support pulsed operation beyond 500 mA?
Yes. It supports 1 A peak collector current for single pulses ≤1 ms (duty cycle ≤0.02), provided Tj remains ≤150 °C. This enables short-duration surge handling in motor commutation or inrush limiting circuits when properly heatsinked.
How does the marking code '6C%' identify BC817-40-QR on the device?
The top-side marking '6C%' indicates BC817-40-QR, where '6C' is the unique identifier per Nexperia's marking table and '%' is a placeholder for manufacturing site code. This distinguishes it from BC817-16-Q (6A%) and BC817-25-Q (6B%) in automated optical inspection and traceability systems.
BC817-40-QR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- BC817-Q
- 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):
- 45 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 700mV @ 50mA, 500mA
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 100nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 250 @ 100mA, 1V
- Power - Max:
- 250 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC817-40-QR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC817-40-QR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC817-40-QR 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 BC817-40-QR reliable?
The price and inventory of BC817-40-QR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC817-40-QR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC817-40-QR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC817-40-QR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC817-40-QR?
BC817-40-QR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC817-40-QR 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 BC817-40-QR?
For technical support, including BC817-40-QR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC817-40-QR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC817-40-QR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC817-40-QR 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 BC817-40-QR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC817-40-QR?
All BC817-40-QR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC817-40-QR, 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 BC817-40-QR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC817-40-QR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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