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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC846A/SNVL

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

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Part No.:: BC846A/SNVL

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

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

Datasheet:: BC846A/SNVL.pdf

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

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC846A/SNVL 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 biasing, and logic-level interface circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC846A/SNVL datasheet, BC846A/SNVL pinout, BC846A/SNVL application, or BC846A/SNVL equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, validated SOT23 terminal mapping, real-world use cases in discrete analog signal paths, and confirmed alternative transistors with documented h_FE and V_CEO differences.

Technical Context

This transistor operates in active and saturation regions with guaranteed V_CEO = 65 V and V_CBO = 80 V, supporting reliable switching up to 100 mA DC collector current. Its h_FE range (110–220) is binned for predictable gain matching in production assemblies.

Thermal resistance R_th(j-a) is 500 K/W on FR4 PCB with standard footprint, and V_CE(sat) is specified at 200–400 mV (I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA), enabling low-loss switching in space-constrained designs.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	65 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines upper rail limit in switch applications.
I_C	100 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; sets maximum load drive capability without derating.
h_FE	110–220 - DC current gain at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 2 mA; enables precise base resistor calculation for saturation control.
V_CE(sat)	200–400 mV - Collector-emitter voltage in saturation at I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA; determines conduction loss in switching mode.
P_tot	250 mW - Total power dissipation at T_amb ≤ 25 °C on standard FR4; constrains thermal layout and duty cycle.
f_T	100 MHz - Transition frequency at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 10 mA; supports audio-frequency amplification and fast digital switching.

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads, 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm body size, 0.45 mm lead pitch, and standard reflow footprint per Figure 11.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor to limit I_B and ensure saturation at target I_C.
2	Emitter (E)	Reference node for biasing; 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, logic gate input) in switching applications.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Two h_FE gain bins (A/B)	Enables selective use: BC846A (110–220) for moderate-gain stability; BC846B (200–450) for higher sensitivity in low-drive circuits.
65 V V_CEO rating	Supports operation across 24 V industrial rails and 48 V telecom subsystems without overvoltage stress.
SOT23 package compatibility	Matches IPC-7351B standard footprint; allows automated placement and reflow soldering on high-density PCBs.
150 °C max junction temperature	Permits operation in sealed enclosures or elevated ambient environments when power dissipation remains within derated limits.

Applications

LED Current Control

Microcontroller GPIO Interface

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

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch configured in common-emitter topology, sinking LED cathode current to ground.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 400 mV ensures >2.6 V forward voltage remains across LED at full current, maintaining brightness consistency.

Use Scenario: Level-shifting and current boosting between 1.8 V/3.3 V logic outputs and 5 V peripheral inputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Digital buffer amplifier translating logic states while sourcing/sinking ≥4 mA into capacitive loads.

Use Value: h_FE ≥ 110 guarantees full saturation with ≤30 µA base drive, minimizing GPIO loading and propagation delay.

Low-Voltage Relay Driver

Audio Signal Pre-amplifier

Use Scenario: Activating 5 V/12 V electromagnetic relays with coil resistance ≥120 Ω in battery-powered controllers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side or low-side switch controlling relay coil current path with flyback diode protection.

Use Value: I_C = 100 mA rating covers typical relay hold currents (15–70 mA), while 65 V V_CEO withstands inductive kickback spikes.

Use Scenario: Single-stage pre-amplification of microphone or sensor signals before ADC sampling in portable devices.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter small-signal amplifier biased at I_C ≈ 1–2 mA for optimal f_T and noise figure trade-off.

Use Value: f_T = 100 MHz and NF ≤ 10 dB at 1 kHz support clean gain up to 20 kHz with minimal distortion in audio band.

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/SNVL	Higher h_FE range (200–450) at same V_CEO/I_C; identical SOT23 pinout and thermal specs.	Better suited for low-base-drive circuits (e.g., weak GPIOs); may require adjusted base resistor for consistent saturation.	Select when higher gain stability is needed at low I_C (<5 mA) or when driving high-impedance loads.
MMBT3904LT1G	V_CEO = 40 V (lower), h_FE = 100–300, P_tot = 310 mW; same SOT23 package and pinout.	Limited to ≤36 V systems; higher power dissipation margin but reduced voltage headroom for flyback suppression.	Choose for cost-sensitive 5–24 V applications where 40 V rating suffices and wider h_FE spread is acceptable.

Compared with BC846B/SNVL, BC846A/SNVL offers tighter h_FE control for predictable base biasing, while MMBT3904LT1G trades voltage margin for slightly higher power handling-making BC846A optimal for 24–48 V industrial signal conditioning where gain consistency matters most.

Availability

BC846A/SNVL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver design, microcontroller interface circuits, relay control modules, and audio pre-amplification stages requiring stable component supply and consistent h_FE binning.

Supply support for BC846A/SNVL 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 industrial-grade components.

The BC846x series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose transistor product line, engineered for cost-effective, robust switching and amplification in consumer, industrial, and communication equipment where SOT23 footprint and predictable gain are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current for BC846A/SNVL?

The absolute maximum continuous collector current (I_C) is 100 mA at T_amb ≤ 25 °C on standard FR4 PCB. Derating is required above 25 °C ambient per the thermal resistance curve in Figure 1; at 70 °C ambient, usable I_C drops to approximately 65 mA to maintain T_j ≤ 150 °C.

Is BC846A/SNVL pin-compatible with BC846B/SNVL?

Yes-both share identical SOT23 (TO-236AB) package outline, pin numbering (1=B, 2=E, 3=C), and mechanical dimensions per Figure 10. No PCB layout change is needed when substituting between A and B variants; only h_FE binning differs.

What is the typical V_BE at I_C = 10 mA and V_CE = 5 V?

The typical base-emitter voltage (V_BE) under those conditions is 660 mV, with a guaranteed range of 580–770 mV across temperature and process variation. This value is used to calculate base resistor values for linear or saturated operation.

Does BC846A/SNVL meet automotive qualification standards?

No-this part is non-automotive qualified per Revision History Table 9, which explicitly states "Product(s) changed to non-automotive qualification" in v.12. For automotive applications, Nexperia offers the -Q qualified BC846AQ series with extended temperature and AEC-Q101 testing.

BC846A/SNVL 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/SNVL FAQ

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

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

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

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

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

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC846A/SNVL?

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

Once your BC846A/SNVL 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/SNVL?

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

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

All BC846A/SNVL 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/SNVL meets industry standards.

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

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

Return procedure for BC846A/SNVL:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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