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Home > Products > Discrete Semiconductor Products > Transistors > Bipolar (BJT) > Single Bipolar Transistors

Nexperia USA Inc. BC846A,215

Name: BC846A,215
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC846A,215
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC846A,215

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3

Datasheet:: BC846A,215.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 65V 0.1A TO-236AB

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC846A,215 from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 65 V V_CEO, 100 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 110–220 at V_CE = 5 V and I_C = 2 mA. It serves as a low-voltage switching and small-signal amplification device in consumer power management, LED driver biasing, and microcontroller interface circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC846A,215 datasheet, BC846A,215 pinout, BC846A,215 application, or BC846A,215 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal behavior under FR4 PCB mounting, SOT23 terminal mapping, and validated alternatives for discrete BJT selection in cost-sensitive, space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

This transistor operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with defined breakdown limits: V_CEO = 65 V, V_CBO = 80 V, and V_EBO = 6 V. Its h_FE group A (110–220) ensures predictable current amplification across -55 °C to 150 °C junction temperature range.

V_CE(sat) is specified at 200 mV (typ.) under I_C = 100 mA / I_B = 5 mA, and V_BE(sat) reaches 900 mV (max) under same conditions. Thermal resistance R_th(j-a) is 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB - critical for ambient-limited board-level thermal design.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	65 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines safe operating voltage headroom in 24 V and lower supply rails.
I_C	100 mA continuous - Supports load switching up to ~100 mA without forced cooling on standard PCBs.
h_FE	110–220 at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 2 mA - Enables stable base drive calculation for digital logic interfacing and analog amplification stages.
V_CE(sat)	200–400 mV at I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA - Ensures low conduction loss in saturated switch applications like relay drivers.
P_tot	250 mW at T_amb ≤ 25 °C - Limits usable power dissipation without heatsinking on single-sided FR4 boards.
f_T	100 MHz - Supports small-signal amplification up to high audio and low-RF frequencies with adequate gain margin.

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mount package: 3-terminal, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, tin-plated leads compatible with reflow and wave soldering per IPC-J-STD-020/001.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Control input node; requires current-limited drive (e.g., via 10 kΩ resistor from MCU GPIO) to achieve target I_C.
2	Emitter (E)	Reference node for current flow; typically tied to ground or low-side return path in common-emitter configurations.
3	Collector (C)	Output node handling switched load; connects to V_CC side of resistive or inductive loads (e.g., LEDs, relays).

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Two h_FE gain groups	BC846A (110–220) enables tighter base resistor tolerance in production designs versus BC846 (110–450) or BC846B (200–450).
Low V_CE(sat)	200 mV typical at full 100 mA load ensures <10 mW conduction loss - critical for battery-powered sensor nodes.
High V_CEO rating	65 V supports operation across 12 V, 24 V, and 48 V industrial control rails without derating.
Thermal robustness	150 °C max junction temperature and 500 K/W R_th(j-a) allow reliable operation in enclosed enclosures up to 75 °C ambient.

Applications

LED Indicator Driver

Microcontroller GPIO Expander

Use Scenario: Driving 20 mA status LEDs from 3.3 V or 5 V MCU outputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch controlled by digital output pin.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 400 mV ensures >95% LED forward voltage utilization; h_FE ≥ 110 allows 200 µA base drive for full saturation.

Use Scenario: Level-shifting and current boosting for legacy 5 V peripherals connected to modern 3.3 V MCUs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Active pull-up/pull-down buffer in open-collector interface circuits.

Use Value: 65 V V_CEO provides margin against transient spikes; 100 mA I_C supports multiple parallel loads without external drivers.

Relay Coil Driver

Audio Pre-amplifier Stage

Use Scenario: Switching 12 V/24 V electromagnetic relays with flyback diode protection.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch controlling inductive coil current path.

Use Value: 200 mV V_CE(sat) minimizes power dissipation during hold state; 200 mA I_CM peak rating handles relay turn-on surge.

Use Scenario: Single-stage common-emitter amplifier for microphone or sensor signal conditioning.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Small-signal linear amplifier with fixed bias network.

Use Value: f_T = 100 MHz and NF = 2–10 dB support clean amplification up to 20 kHz with minimal added noise.

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
BC846B,215	h_FE = 200–450 (higher gain, tighter upper bound); otherwise identical ratings and package.	Better suited for low-base-drive applications (e.g., weak GPIO sources), but may overdrive in fixed-bias amplifiers calibrated for BC846A.	Select when higher h_FE improves noise immunity or reduces base resistor count; verify stability in feedback-coupled stages.
MMBT3904LT1G	V_CEO = 40 V (lower), h_FE = 100–300, P_tot = 310 mW; SOT23 package with identical pinout.	Limited to ≤40 V systems; higher power dissipation margin but reduced voltage safety in 48 V industrial interfaces.	Use where 40 V rating suffices and higher P_tot supports marginal thermal margins; not drop-in for 65 V designs.

Compared with BC846B,215 and MMBT3904LT1G, BC846A,215 offers optimal balance of gain consistency (110–220), 65 V robustness, and thermal performance on FR4 - making it preferred for cost-sensitive, mid-voltage switching where predictable h_FE simplifies production calibration.

Availability

BC846A,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED indicator control, microcontroller interface buffering, and relay coil driving requiring stable component supply across consumer, industrial, and automotive-adjacent electronics programs.

Supply support for BC846A,215 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 standard-grade components.

The BC846x series targets cost-effective, space-efficient general-purpose switching and amplification in non-automotive applications - emphasizing manufacturability, thermal predictability, and consistent h_FE binning for high-yield assembly.

FAQ

Is BC846A,215 automotive-qualified?

No. Per Nexperia's revision history (Rev. 12, July 2022), BC846A,215 is explicitly designated as non-automotive qualified. It lacks AEC-Q101 stress testing and is not warranted for safety-critical or life-support systems. Automotive alternatives require explicit -Q suffix parts such as BC846AQ.

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum peak base current is 200 mA (single pulse, t_p ≤ 1 ms), but continuous I_B must be limited to ensure I_C ≤ 100 mA and P_tot ≤ 250 mW. For I_C = 100 mA and h_FE = 110 (min), I_B ≈ 910 µA - practical designs use ≥10× margin, e.g., 100 µA–1 mA depending on drive source.

Can BC846A,215 replace BC546B in existing designs?

Yes, with verification. Both share SOT23 package and pinout, and BC846A,215 has identical V_CEO, I_C, and h_FE range as BC546B. However, BC846A,215 uses TO-236AB outline (vs. older TO-92 for BC546B), so mechanical fitment and thermal behavior differ - reflow profile and board layout must be confirmed.

What is the typical thermal resistance when mounted on a 2-layer PCB with 1 oz copper?

R_th(j-a) is 500 K/W only for the specified test condition: single-sided FR4 PCB, 35 µm (1 oz) copper, tin-plated, standard SOT23 footprint. With 2-layer boards and internal ground planes, measured R_th(j-a) improves to ~350–400 K/W - but this requires empirical validation per layout, as no official data exists for multi-layer configurations.

BC846A,215 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: BC846x

Package/Case:: TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

Transistor Type:: NPN

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 100 mA

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 65 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 400mV @ 5mA, 100mA

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 15nA (ICBO)

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 110 @ 2mA, 5V

Power - Max:: 250 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 100MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: TO-236AB

BC846A,215 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC846A,215 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846A,215 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 BC846A,215 reliable?

The price and inventory of BC846A,215 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846A,215 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846A,215?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846A,215 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC846A,215?

BC846A,215 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC846A,215 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 BC846A,215?

For technical support, including BC846A,215 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846A,215 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846A,215 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC846A,215 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 BC846A,215 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846A,215?

All BC846A,215 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846A,215, 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 BC846A,215 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC846A,215:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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