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Nexperia USA Inc. BC846A-QR
- Part No.:
- BC846A-QR
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC846A-QR.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 65V 0.1A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:9,163
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Product details
Overview
BC846A-QR from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 65 V VCEO, 100 mA IC, and DC current gain (hFE) of 110–220 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA. It serves as a low-power switching and amplification device in automotive signal conditioning and body-control modules.
For engineers reviewing the BC846A-QR datasheet, BC846A-QR pinout, BC846A-QR application, or BC846A-QR equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal limits, automotive qualification status, SOT23 terminal mapping, and validated alternative transistors with documented gain and voltage differences.
Technical Context
This transistor operates as a discrete bipolar junction device optimized for linear amplification and digital switching in ambient temperatures from −65 °C to +150 °C. Its base-emitter saturation voltage is 760 mV at IC = 10 mA / IB = 0.5 mA, and collector-emitter saturation voltage is 200–400 mV under same conditions.
The device features 2 pF collector capacitance and 11 pF emitter capacitance at specified bias points, supporting stable operation up to 100 MHz transition frequency (fT). Thermal resistance from junction-to-ambient is 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB, defining its power handling envelope in unforced-air environments.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 65 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines rail compatibility in 12 V/24 V automotive systems. |
| IC | 100 mA continuous - Absolute maximum DC collector current; sets upper bound for load-driving capability in sensor interface stages. |
| hFE | 110–220 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA - Tighter gain binning than BC846-Q (110–450); enables predictable biasing in feedback amplifier designs. |
| VCE(sat) | 200–400 mV at IC = 100 mA, IB = 5 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in high-duty-cycle switching applications. |
| Ptot | 250 mW at Tamb ≤ 25 °C - Power dissipation limit on standard FR4 PCB; requires thermal derating above 25 °C ambient. |
| Rth(j-a) | 500 K/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance; determines temperature rise per watt in non-heatsinked layouts. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency; supports small-signal amplification up to HF band in EMI-filtered sensor front-ends. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mount package with 3 leads, 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm footprint, 0.45 mm nominal lead pitch, and tin-plated terminations compatible with reflow and wave soldering per IPC-J-STD-020.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor to limit IB and ensure reliable turn-on/turn-off in digital logic interfaces. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Common reference terminal for NPN configuration; connected to ground or low-side return path in switch-mode topologies. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Output current sink node; connects to load or pull-up resistor; must remain within 65 V absolute max relative to emitter. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive use per stress-test requirements including HTGB, HTRB, and temperature cycling - enables deployment in engine control, lighting, and ADAS subsystems without additional qualification. |
| Controlled hFE binning | 110–220 range (vs. 110–450 for BC846-Q) - reduces variation in base drive requirements across production batches, simplifying bias network design. |
| Low VBE(sat) | 760 mV at IC = 10 mA - enables direct interfacing with 3.3 V microcontroller GPIOs without level-shifting, reducing BOM count. |
| Thermal robustness | 150 °C max junction temperature - supports operation in under-hood environments where ambient exceeds 105 °C. |
| Standard SOT23 footprint | Compatible with industry-standard reflow profiles and pick-and-place equipment - ensures manufacturability across contract electronics assembly lines. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving LED indicators and relay coils in door module PCBs exposed to 12 V battery transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete NPN switch providing galvanic isolation between MCU GPIO and inductive loads. Use Value: 65 V VCEO withstands load-dump spikes up to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a; AEC-Q101 qualification ensures reliability over 15-year vehicle lifetime. |
Use Scenario: Amplifying low-level analog outputs from thermistors and pressure sensors in PLC I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Linear amplifier stage with fixed-gain bias network for 0–5 V signal scaling. Use Value: Tight hFE binning (110–220) maintains consistent gain across units; 100 MHz fT preserves bandwidth for <10 kHz sensor signals. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Driver | Medical Diagnostic Equipment Interface |
Use Scenario: Controlling small DC fan motors and solenoid valves in smart HVAC controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch enabling PWM-based speed regulation via microcontroller output. Use Value: 200–400 mV VCE(sat) minimizes self-heating at 100 mA continuous; SOT23 footprint allows dense layout in space-constrained enclosures. |
Use Scenario: Isolating microcontroller I/O from patient-connected analog front-end circuits in portable ECG monitors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Level-shifting and current-buffering interface between digital logic and analog signal paths. Use Value: 6 V VEBO rating provides margin against ESD events; 150 °C Tj rating supports sterilization cycle compliance. |
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-Q | Higher hFE (200–450) at same test conditions; otherwise identical ratings and package. | Better suited for low-base-drive applications like high-impedance sensor buffering where gain stability dominates. | Select when higher current gain is required without changing layout or thermal design. |
| MMBT3904LT1G | Same SOT23 package but lower VCEO (40 V), higher IC (200 mA), and wider hFE range (100–300). | Not AEC-Q101 qualified; limited to non-automotive industrial or consumer use. | Choose only for cost-sensitive, non-automotive designs where 40 V rail compliance is sufficient. |
Compared with BC846B-Q, BC846A-Q offers tighter hFE control for predictable biasing; compared with MMBT3904LT1G, it trades off voltage headroom for automotive qualification and thermal robustness - critical for under-hood deployment.
Availability
BC846A-QR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial sensor signal conditioning, and consumer appliance motor drivers requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.
Supply support for BC846A-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 high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and energy-efficient solutions.
The BC846x-Q series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor portfolio, engineered specifically for robust switching and amplification in harsh automotive and industrial environments.
FAQ
Is BC846A-QR pin-compatible with BC846B-Q and BC846-Q?
Yes - all BC846x-Q variants share identical SOT23 (TO-236AB) pinout: Pin 1 = Base, Pin 2 = Emitter, Pin 3 = Collector. Mechanical and electrical pin assignments are fully interchangeable; only hFE binning differs across the series.
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 for DC operation, base current must be limited to maintain IC ≤ 100 mA and junction temperature ≤ 150 °C. Typical design uses IB = 1–5 mA for reliable saturation at 10–100 mA collector loads.
Does BC846A-QR support reflow soldering per JEDEC J-STD-020?
Yes - the device is qualified for standard lead-free reflow profiles per JEDEC J-STD-020D, with peak temperature up to 260 °C. The SOT23 package outline and solder land pattern match industry-standard footprints shown in Figure 11 of the datasheet.
How does the AEC-Q101 qualification impact reliability in non-automotive applications?
AEC-Q101 qualification subjects BC846A-QR to accelerated stress tests (HTGB, HTRB, temperature cycling) exceeding typical industrial requirements, resulting in demonstrated failure-in-time (FIT) rates below 100 FIT and mean time to failure > 107 hours - delivering enhanced field reliability even in demanding non-automotive deployments.
BC846A-QR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- BC846x-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):
- 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:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC846A-QR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC846A-QR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846A-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 BC846A-QR reliable?
The price and inventory of BC846A-QR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846A-QR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846A-QR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846A-QR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC846A-QR?
BC846A-QR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC846A-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 BC846A-QR?
For technical support, including BC846A-QR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846A-QR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846A-QR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC846A-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 BC846A-QR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846A-QR?
All BC846A-QR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846A-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 BC846A-QR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC846A-QR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC846A-QR Tags
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MMBT3906LT1G
onsemi
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MMBT3904LT1G
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MMBT3906-7-F
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MMBT3904-TP
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BC847B,215
Nexperia USA Inc.
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MMBTA06LT1G
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