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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC846A/SNR

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

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Part No.:: BC846A/SNR

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

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

Datasheet:: BC846A/SNR.pdf

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

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC846A/SNR from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose bipolar junction 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, I_C = 2 mA. It serves as a low-voltage switching and small-signal amplification device in consumer power management, LED driver bias networks, and microcontroller I/O interface stages.

For engineers reviewing the BC846A/SNR datasheet, BC846A/SNR pinout, BC846A/SNR application, or BC846A/SNR equivalent, this page delivers verified pin functions, thermal resistance (R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W), saturation voltage (V_CE(sat) ≤ 200 mV @ I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA), noise figure (2–10 dB), and validated alternatives for discrete BJT selection.

Technical Context

The BC846A/SNR operates as a silicon NPN BJT with base-controlled current amplification, optimized for linear amplification and saturated switching in ambient temperatures from −65 °C to +150 °C. Its h_FE group A specification (110–220) ensures predictable gain stability across production lots at I_C = 2 mA.

Thermal performance is defined for FR4 PCB mounting (single-sided, 35 µm Cu, tin-plated), delivering R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W in free air. Absolute maximum ratings include V_CBO = 80 V, V_EBO = 6 V, and P_tot = 250 mW at T_amb ≤ 25 °C - limiting continuous operation under high-power or high-temperature conditions without derating.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	65 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines safe operating range in 24 V and 48 V logic-level switching circuits.
I_C	100 mA - Continuous collector current rating; supports driving small relays, LEDs, or logic-level MOSFET gates.
h_FE	110–220 @ V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 2 mA - Tight DC current gain binning enables consistent biasing in amplifier stages without manual trimming.
V_CE(sat)	≤200 mV @ I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in switching applications.
R_th(j-a)	500 K/W - Thermal resistance on standard FR4 PCB; requires layout-aware copper area for sustained >50 mA operation.
f_T	100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms suitability for audio-frequency amplification and low-speed digital signal conditioning.
C_c	2–3 pF - Collector capacitance limits high-frequency gain roll-off; suitable for <10 MHz signal paths.

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mount package: 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 1.1 mm height, with gull-wing leads for reflow soldering per IPC-7095 standards.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor (typically 1–10 kΩ) to limit I_B and ensure saturation or linear operation.
2	Emitter (E)	Common reference terminal; connected to ground or low-side return path in common-emitter configurations.
3	Collector (C)	Output current sink node; interfaces with load (e.g., LED anode, relay coil, pull-up resistor) in low-side switch topology.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Two h_FE gain bins (A/B)	Enables precise gain matching in differential pairs or cascaded amplifiers without external feedback tuning.
SOT23 package compatibility	Supports automated pick-and-place assembly and IPC-compliant reflow profiles (J-STD-020); footprint matches industry-standard SOT23 land patterns.
150 °C max junction temperature	Permits operation in thermally constrained enclosures (e.g., sealed IoT sensors) with minimal heatsinking.
Low V_BE(sat) (≤900 mV)	Reduces base drive power in high-duty-cycle switching, improving efficiency in battery-powered microcontroller GPIO expansion.

Applications

LED Current Control

Microcontroller GPIO Interface

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

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch with fixed-gain current amplification.

Use Value: Eliminates need for logic-level MOSFETs; V_CE(sat) ≤ 200 mV ensures >95% LED forward voltage utilization.

Use Scenario: Level-shifting and current boosting between 1.8 V/3.3 V MCUs and 5 V peripherals.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Digital buffer with h_FE-stabilized output drive capability.

Use Value: Enables reliable 5 V TTL-compatible output using only one external base resistor and no level-shifter IC.

Small-Signal Amplification

Power Supply Enable Switch

Use Scenario: Pre-amplifying microphone or sensor signals in portable audio devices.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier stage with f_T = 100 MHz bandwidth.

Use Value: Delivers >40 dB voltage gain up to 10 kHz with <2 dB THD+N, avoiding op-amp complexity in cost-sensitive designs.

Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling 12 V auxiliary rails in industrial control modules.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side or low-side enable switch controlled by MCU GPIO.

Use Value: Supports 100 mA rail switching with <10 µs turn-on delay and no shoot-through risk, unlike complementary MOSFET solutions.

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
BC847A/SNR	V_CEO = 45 V (vs. 65 V); same h_FE bin (110–220) and SOT23 package.	Limited to ≤45 V systems; unsuitable for 48 V telecom or PoE-powered circuits where BC846A/SNR's 65 V rating provides margin.	Select BC847A/SNR only when system voltage is confirmed ≤45 V and board space constraints match identical SOT23 footprint.
MMBT3904LT1G	h_FE = 100–300 (wider spread); V_CEO = 40 V; R_th(j-a) = 400 K/W (better thermal performance).	Higher gain variability increases need for design margining; lower V_CEO restricts use in higher-voltage analog front-ends.	Prefer MMBT3904LT1G where thermal dissipation is critical and voltage stress remains <40 V; avoid in 65 V-rated safety-critical nodes.

Compared with BC846A/SNR, BC847A/SNR trades voltage headroom for identical gain binning in the same package, while MMBT3904LT1G offers better thermal resistance but narrower voltage and less predictable h_FE - making BC846A/SNR optimal for 48–65 V switching with stable gain requirements.

Availability

BC846A/SNR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, microcontroller interface stages, small-signal amplification, and power supply enable switches requiring stable component supply and SOT23 footprint consistency.

Supply support for BC846A/SNR 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-grade and industrial-standard components.

The BC846x series targets cost-sensitive, high-yield applications in consumer electronics and industrial controls, emphasizing consistent h_FE binning, robust SOT23 manufacturability, and broad temperature operation (−65 °C to +150 °C).

FAQ

Is BC846A/SNR suitable for automotive applications?

No. Per Nexperia's revision history (v.12, July 2022), BC846A/SNR is explicitly non-automotive qualified. It lacks AEC-Q101 qualification, automotive-grade testing, and extended reliability validation. For automotive use, select the BC846A-Q series or equivalent AEC-Q101-certified variants.

What is the maximum safe continuous collector current at 85 °C ambient?

At T_amb = 85 °C, derating applies: P_tot drops from 250 mW (25 °C) to ~125 mW (per 50 K/W slope). With V_CE(sat) ≈ 200 mV, max I_C ≈ 625 mA is thermally impossible; practical limit is ~60–70 mA to maintain T_j < 150 °C, assuming standard FR4 layout.

Can BC846A/SNR replace BC846B/SNR in a circuit?

Yes, electrically - both share identical V_CEO, I_C, and package - but h_FE differs: BC846A is 110–220, BC846B is 200–450. In gain-critical circuits (e.g., analog amplifiers), substitution may require bias resistor adjustment to maintain Q-point stability.

Does BC846A/SNR have built-in ESD protection?

No. The datasheet specifies no human-body model (HBM) or charged-device model (CDM) ESD ratings. External protection (e.g., series resistor + TVS diode) is required in handling or board-level ESD-prone environments, especially during automated assembly or field service.

BC846A/SNR 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:: Obsolete

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/SNR FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC846A/SNR through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846A/SNR 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/SNR reliable?

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

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846A/SNR?

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

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC846A/SNR?

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

Once your BC846A/SNR 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/SNR?

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

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

All BC846A/SNR 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/SNR meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846A/SNR?

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

Return procedure for BC846A/SNR:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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