Nexperia USA Inc. BC817K-16HVL

Overview

BC817K-16HVL from Nexperia is a 45 V, 500 mA NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 package, designed for switching and linear amplification in industrial control logic, power supply feedback loops, and low-voltage interface circuits. It delivers DC current gain (h_FE) of 100–250 at V_CE = 1 V and I_C = 100 mA, supports operation up to 175 °C junction temperature, and features V_CEO = 45 V and P_tot = 950 mW on 4-layer FR4 PCB.

For engineers reviewing the BC817K-16HVL datasheet, BC817K-16HVL pinout, BC817K-16HVL application, or BC817K-16HVL equivalent, key selection criteria include its guaranteed h_FE range, thermal robustness to 175 °C, SOT23 footprint compatibility, and saturation voltage (V_CE(sat) ≤ 700 mV at I_C = 500 mA / I_B = 50 mA) for efficient low-side switching.

Technical Context

This discrete 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, and T_j = 175 °C. Its pulsed peak collector current reaches 1 A (t_p ≤ 1 ms), and base-emitter breakdown voltage is rated at 7 V.

The device exhibits typical transition frequency f_T = 100 MHz at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 10 mA, enabling use in medium-speed digital switching and analog signal conditioning up to several megahertz. Capacitance values are low: C_c = 3 pF and C_e = 44 pF at specified bias conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 plastic surface-mounted package (JEDEC TO-236AB), 3-lead, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm × 1.0 mm body height, with standard footprint per Fig. 44 (reflow) and Fig. 45 (wave).

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 and MMBT3904LT1G, BC817K-16HVL provides superior thermal resilience (175 °C vs. 150 °C), higher V_CEO, and greater continuous power handling-making it the preferred choice for industrial and automotive-adjacent applications demanding long-term reliability under thermal stress.

Availability

BC817K-16HVL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC input stages, DC-DC converter feedback circuits, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for BC817K-16HVL 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 essential semiconductors-including discretes, logic, and MOSFETs-for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

BC817K-16HVL belongs to the BC817KH series of high-temperature NPN transistors engineered specifically for robust switching and amplification in harsh-environment applications where thermal stability and long-term parametric consistency are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable base current for BC817K-16HVL?

The absolute maximum peak base current is 200 mA for single pulses ≤1 ms (per Table 6). For continuous operation, base current must be limited to ensure I_C ≤ 500 mA and V_CE(sat) remains within spec-typically I_B = 50 mA for full-rated switching. Exceeding these limits risks permanent degradation of h_FE or bond wire failure.

Does BC817K-16HVL have automotive qualification?

No. Per Revision History (Section 13), BC817KH_SER v.2 explicitly states the product was changed to non-automotive qualification in 2025. For automotive-grade equivalents, Nexperia offers the -Q qualified variants (e.g., BC817-16Q), which undergo AEC-Q101 testing and feature different packaging and traceability.

How does thermal resistance vary with PCB layout?

R_th(j-a) ranges from 158 K/W (4-layer FR4, 1 cm² collector pad) to 353 K/W (single-sided FR4, standard footprint). Layout directly impacts power handling: doubling copper area under the collector reduces R_th(j-a) by ~30%, enabling ~200 mW more continuous dissipation at the same ambient temperature.

Can BC817K-16HVL replace BC847B in existing designs?

Only with validation. BC847B has higher h_FE (200–450) and lower V_CE(sat) (≤ 600 mV), but lower V_CEO (45 V same) and T_j(max) (150 °C). Substitution may cause insufficient gain or thermal overload in high-temp designs; verify I_C, V_CE(sat), and thermal margin under worst-case operating conditions.