Nexperia USA Inc. BC817K-16R
- Part No.:
- BC817K-16R
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC817K-16R.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 45V 0.5A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:858
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Product details
Overview
BC817K-16R from Nexperia is a 45 V, 500 mA NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, designed for low-voltage switching and linear amplification in space-constrained PCBs. It delivers DC current gain (hFE) of 100–250 at VCE = 1 V and IC = 100 mA, supports 1 A peak collector current, and is AEC-Q101 qualified for automotive body electronics.
For engineers reviewing the BC817K-16R datasheet, BC817K-16R pinout, BC817K-16R application, or BC817K-16R equivalent, this page provides verified electrical parameters, thermal derating curves, SOT23 footprint details, and validated automotive-grade alternatives - all aligned to Nexperia's Rev. 2 (2018) product data sheet.
Technical Context
This discrete NPN bipolar junction transistor operates with open-base collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 45 V and emitter-base breakdown voltage of 5 V, enabling reliable switching in 24 V automotive and industrial control rails. Its pulsed hFE specification (100–250) is defined under strict conditions: VCE = 1 V, IC = 100 mA, pulse width ≤ 300 μs, duty cycle ≤ 0.02.
Thermal performance depends on PCB construction: Rth(j-a) ranges from 162 K/W (4-layer FR4, 1 cm² collector pad) to 358 K/W (single-sided FR4, standard footprint). Safe operating area (SOA) is explicitly characterized for DC and single-pulse conditions up to 1 ms.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 45 V - Maximum sustainable collector-emitter voltage before avalanche breakdown; defines upper rail limit for 24 V system switches. |
| IC | 500 mA continuous - Rated DC collector current at Tamb ≤ 25 °C; derates linearly above 25 °C per Figure 1. |
| hFE | 100–250 - Guaranteed DC current gain range at VCE = 1 V, IC = 100 mA; enables predictable base drive sizing. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤ 700 mV at IC = 500 mA, IB = 50 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in high-duty-cycle switching. |
| Ptot | 775 mW - Maximum power dissipation on 4-layer FR4 with 1 cm² collector pad; sets thermal layout requirements. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency at VCE = 5 V, IC = 10 mA; supports audio-frequency amplification and fast digital switching. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mount package: 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 1.1 mm height, tin-plated leads compatible with standard reflow profiles (Figure 44).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor to limit IB ≤ 200 mA peak per absolute maximum rating. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Reference terminal for biasing; connects to ground or low-side return path in common-emitter configurations. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | High-current output node; thermally coupled to PCB copper; must use ≥1 cm² pad on 4-layer board for full Ptot rating. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive applications including body control modules and lighting drivers per stress test standard. |
| Three hFE bins | BC817K-16 (100–250), BC817K-25 (160–400), BC817K-40 (250–600) - Enables precise gain matching without external feedback. |
| High Ptot capability | 775 mW on optimized 4-layer PCB - Reduces need for heatsinking in compact consumer and industrial power stages. |
| Low VBE(sat) | ≤ 1.2 V at IC = 500 mA, IB = 50 mA - Simplifies 3.3 V/5 V microcontroller interface with minimal base drive overhead. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control | Industrial Sensor Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Driving LED clusters and relay coils in door modules and interior lighting. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch controlling 24 V loads with PWM dimming up to 1 kHz. Use Value: AEC-Q101 qualification ensures reliability across -40 °C to +125 °C ambient; 45 V VCEO tolerates load dump transients. |
Use Scenario: Level-shifting and buffering analog sensor outputs (e.g., thermistors, potentiometers) into ADC inputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Emitter-follower amplifier providing low-impedance drive without loading sensitive resistive dividers. Use Value: hFE ≥ 100 ensures stable gain over temperature; 5 V VEBO protects against reverse-bias damage during sensor disconnect. |
| Consumer Power Management | IoT Peripheral Switching |
|
Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling 5 V USB peripherals and display backlights in portable devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch activated by 3.3 V GPIO with <1 µs turn-on delay. Use Value: 700 mV VCE(sat) limits power loss to <0.35 W at 500 mA, reducing thermal stress in sealed enclosures. |
Use Scenario: Controlling solenoids, buzzers, and status indicators in battery-powered edge nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: General-purpose switching element interfacing ultra-low-power MCUs (e.g., ARM Cortex-M0+) with higher-current actuators. Use Value: SOT23 footprint saves >60% board area vs. SOT223; 500 mA IC supports typical buzzer/solenoid loads without external driver ICs. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC847BW | Same SOT323 package; hFE = 200–450 (higher gain bin); VCEO = 45 V; IC = 100 mA (lower current rating). | Not suitable for 500 mA loads; preferred where board space is tighter and gain stability > current capacity is prioritized. | Select BC847BW only when load current remains ≤100 mA and footprint reduction is critical. |
| MMBT3904LT1G | SOT23 package; VCEO = 40 V (5 V lower); hFE = 100–300; Ptot = 310 mW (vs. 775 mW); not AEC-Q101 qualified. | Lacks automotive qualification and thermal headroom; acceptable for commercial-grade consumer products only. | Choose MMBT3904LT1G for cost-sensitive non-automotive designs where 40 V rating and 310 mW dissipation suffice. |
Compared with BC847BW and MMBT3904LT1G, BC817K-16R uniquely combines AEC-Q101 qualification, 500 mA continuous current, and 775 mW power handling in SOT23 - making it the only option among the three qualified for under-hood automotive switching with thermal margin.
Availability
BC817K-16R is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, consumer power management, and IoT peripheral switching requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for BC817K-16R 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 - delivering discrete, logic, and MOSFET solutions optimized for efficiency and robustness.
The BC817K series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor portfolio, engineered specifically for automotive and industrial applications demanding proven reliability, tight gain binning, and thermal resilience in compact SMT packages.
FAQ
Is BC817K-16R pin-compatible with BC847B?
Yes, both use SOT23 package with identical pin 1 (base), pin 2 (emitter), pin 3 (collector) assignment. However, BC817K-16R supports 5× higher continuous collector current (500 mA vs. 100 mA) and has different hFE distribution - verify SOA and thermal design before drop-in replacement.
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 continuous IB must be limited to ensure junction temperature stays ≤150 °C. At IC = 500 mA and hFE = 100, nominal IB = 5 mA; design with ≥2× safety margin and verify thermal performance on actual PCB.
Does BC817K-16R support PWM switching at 20 kHz?
Yes - with fT = 100 MHz and typical turn-on/off times in the nanosecond range (per Nexperia's characterization), it fully supports 20 kHz PWM for LED dimming and motor control. Ensure gate/base drive strength meets IB = IC/10 requirement and minimize trace inductance.
How does thermal resistance change between single-sided and 4-layer PCB mounting?
Rth(j-a) improves from 358 K/W (single-sided FR4, standard footprint) to 162 K/W (4-layer FR4, 1 cm² collector pad) - a 2.2× reduction. This allows 2.2× higher power dissipation at same ΔT, directly impacting maximum safe IC in thermally constrained layouts.
BC817K-16R Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- -
- 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:
- 100 @ 100mA, 1V
- Power - Max:
- 250 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q100
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC817K-16R FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC817K-16R through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC817K-16R 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 BC817K-16R reliable?
The price and inventory of BC817K-16R are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC817K-16R is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC817K-16R?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC817K-16R transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC817K-16R?
BC817K-16R orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC817K-16R 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 BC817K-16R?
For technical support, including BC817K-16R datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC817K-16R requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC817K-16R is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC817K-16R 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 BC817K-16R meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC817K-16R?
All BC817K-16R units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC817K-16R, 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 BC817K-16R part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC817K-16R:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC817K-16R Tags

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