Nexperia USA Inc. BC817K-25HVL

Overview

BC817K-25HVL 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 bias networks, and sensor interface stages. It delivers h_FE = 160–400 at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 100 mA, operates up to 175 °C junction temperature, and supports peak collector current of 1 A.

For engineers reviewing the BC817K-25HVL datasheet, BC817K-25HVL pinout, BC817K-25HVL application, or BC817K-25HVL equivalent, this page provides verified electrical parameters, thermal derating curves, safe operating area (SOA) boundaries, SOT23 footprint details, and validated alternatives for discrete BJT selection in cost-sensitive, high-reliability PCB designs.

Technical Context

This NPN bipolar junction transistor uses epitaxial planar technology with optimized base doping and emitter geometry to achieve stable DC current gain across wide temperature ranges (−55 °C to +175 °C). Its low V_CE(sat) ≤ 700 mV at I_C = 500 mA / I_B = 50 mA enables efficient low-voltage switching in 3.3 V and 5 V logic-driven circuits.

The device features low capacitance (C_c = 3 pF, C_e = 39 pF), f_T = 100 MHz, and robust absolute maximum ratings-including V_CBO = 50 V, V_EBO = 7 V, and P_tot = 950 mW on 4-layer FR4-making it suitable for both continuous-duty amplification and pulsed switching in thermally constrained layouts.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 plastic surface-mounted package (JEDEC TO-236AB), 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm × 1.0 mm body, 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 BC817-25,215, BC817K-25HVL offers documented 175 °C operation and updated thermal derating curves; versus MMBT3904LT1G, it trades 100 mV higher V_CE(sat) for +5 V blocking headroom and superior high-temperature stability.

Availability

BC817K-25HVL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, power supply feedback circuits, automotive body electronics, and IoT sensor interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for BC817K-25HVL 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 semiconductors, delivering high-performance, reliable components for automotive, industrial, mobile, and computing markets.

The BC817KH series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose discrete portfolio, engineered for cost-effective, thermally robust switching and amplification in space-constrained, high-reliability applications demanding extended temperature operation.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current for BC817K-25HVL at 100 °C ambient?

At T_amb = 100 °C, the maximum continuous collector current is approximately 320 mA. This is derived from the 950 mW total power dissipation rating and thermal resistance R_th(j-a) = 158 K/W on 4-layer FR4, assuming T_j(max) = 175 °C and applying P_tot = (T_j − T_amb) / R_th(j-a). Derating curves in Figure 1 confirm this value aligns with published thermal limits.

Is BC817K-25HVL suitable for automotive applications?

No-BC817K-25HVL is explicitly designated as non-automotive qualified per Revision History (Section 13). It lacks AEC-Q101 stress testing and automotive-grade traceability. For automotive use, Nexperia recommends the BC817-Q series (e.g., BC817-25Q), which undergoes full qualification including temperature cycling, humidity testing, and failure analysis per AEC standards.

How does the "K" in BC817K-25HVL differ from BC817-25?

The "K" suffix denotes the latest revision of the BC817-25 family (Rev. 2, Sept. 2025), featuring updated thermal derating data, clarified mounting conditions for P_tot, and formal declassification from automotive qualification. Electrically and mechanically, BC817K-25HVL is identical to BC817-25,215 but carries distinct documentation and marking (%HE) for traceability to the current datasheet.

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, f = 100 MHz. This indicates usable bandwidth for switching up to ~10 MHz with acceptable gain roll-off. In practice, the device achieves <100 ns turn-on/turn-off times in 500 mA resistive loads, making it appropriate for PWM frequencies ≤500 kHz while maintaining low distortion in analog amplification.