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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC846AW-QX

Name: BC846AW-QX
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC846AW-QX
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC846AW-QX

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: SC-70, SOT-323

Datasheet:: BC846AW-QX.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 65V 0.1A SOT-323

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC846AW-Q from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) 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-power switching and amplification device in automotive signal conditioning, sensor interface, and LED driver bias circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC846AW-Q datasheet, BC846AW-Q pinout, BC846AW-Q application, or BC846AW-Q equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, automotive-grade qualification status, thermal resistance (625 K/W), saturation voltage (V_CEsat ≤ 200 mV @ I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA), and exact SC-70 pin mapping - all critical for board-level reliability validation and AEC-compliant design-in.

Technical Context

This transistor operates as a discrete bipolar junction device with fixed NPN polarity, optimized for linear amplification and saturated switching in low-current (<100 mA), medium-voltage (≤65 V) signal paths. Its h_FE group A (110–220) provides predictable current control under 2 mA collector bias, supporting stable bias networks in automotive microcontroller I/O interfaces.

Thermal performance is defined for FR4 PCB mounting (single-sided, 35 µm Cu, tin-plated), with R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W in free air and junction temperature rated to 150 °C - enabling operation in under-hood ambient conditions up to 125 °C with derating.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	65 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; supports 12 V/24 V automotive rail switching with margin.
I_C	100 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; suitable for driving small relays, LEDs, or logic-level inputs.
h_FE	110–220 @ V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 2 mA - Tight gain band enables consistent base drive calculation in bias-critical analog stages.
V_CEsat	≤200 mV @ I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and self-heating in switching applications.
R_th(j-a)	625 K/W - Thermal resistance defines junction-to-ambient rise per watt; requires PCB copper area planning for >150 mW dissipation.
f_T	100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms usable bandwidth for audio-frequency amplification and digital signal edge shaping.

Pinout & Package

SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mount package: 1.3 mm × 1.8 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal leadframe with gull-wing terminations. Designed for reflow soldering per IPC-J-STD-020.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Control terminal for forward-biased junction; requires current-limited drive (e.g., 5–10 kΩ series resistor) to achieve target I_C.
2	Emiter (E)	Common reference node in common-emitter configuration; connected to ground or low-side return path.
3	Collector (C)	Output current sink terminal; connects to load (e.g., LED anode or relay coil) referenced to positive supply.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
AEC-Q101 qualified	Validated for automotive use per stress test standard; supports PPAP documentation and zero-defect manufacturing requirements.
Two gain selections	BC846AW-Q (110–220 h_FE) offers tighter spread than BC846W-Q (110–450), reducing calibration effort in production test.
Low V_CEsat	200 mV max at full 100 mA load ensures <20 mW conduction loss, critical for thermally constrained modules.
SC-70 footprint	0.65 mm pitch, 1.3 mm width enables high-density routing on compact PCBs without thermal via constraints.

Applications

Automotive Door Module Switching

Engine Control Unit Sensor Biasing

Use Scenario: Controlling window lift motor enable signals and door lock actuator drivers in body control modules.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch providing low-side grounding path for 12 V solenoid loads with fast turn-on/turn-off.

Use Value: V_CEsat ≤ 200 mV limits power dissipation to <20 mW per channel, preventing thermal shutdown during repeated actuation cycles.

Use Scenario: Biasing resistive temperature sensors (RTDs) and Hall-effect position sensors in engine management systems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Constant-current source configured in emitter-follower mode to stabilize sensor excitation voltage.

Use Value: Tight h_FE (110–220) ensures ±5% current matching across production units, improving sensor linearity and calibration repeatability.

LED Dashboard Illumination

Infotainment System Audio Amplifier Stage

Use Scenario: Driving multiplexed segment LEDs in instrument cluster displays with PWM dimming.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch modulating LED current at 1–10 kHz PWM frequency.

Use Value: f_T = 100 MHz guarantees clean switching edges with <100 ns rise/fall times, eliminating visible flicker at full brightness.

Use Scenario: Pre-amplifier stage for microphone input conditioning prior to ADC sampling in head unit audio subsystems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter small-signal amplifier with fixed-gain bias network.

Use Value: NF = 2–10 dB at 1 kHz enables SNR > 60 dB in 20 Hz–20 kHz audio band, meeting OEM acoustic fidelity requirements.

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
BC847AW-Q	Same SOT323 package; higher h_FE (200–450) but identical V_CEO/I_C ratings.	Less predictable base drive in low-I_C bias networks due to wider gain spread.	Select when higher current gain is needed for weak-drive microcontrollers (e.g., 3.3 V GPIO).
MMBT3904-Q	Same AEC-Q101 rating; V_CEO = 40 V, h_FE = 100–300, R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W.	Lower voltage rating restricts use to 5 V/3.3 V domains; unsuitable for 12 V switched loads.	Prefer for low-voltage logic-level translation where 65 V margin is unnecessary.

Compared with BC846AW-Q, BC847AW-Q trades gain consistency for higher amplification capability, while MMBT3904-Q reduces voltage headroom to match consumer-grade IC interfaces - making BC846AW-Q the optimal choice for 12 V automotive signal switching requiring both margin and predictability.

Availability

BC846AW-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, engine control unit (ECU) sensor interfaces, and infotainment system LED backlighting requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for BC846AW-Q 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 efficiency technologies, delivering high-performance, reliable discrete, logic, and MOSFET solutions for automotive, industrial, and mobile markets.

BC846AW-Q belongs to the BC846xW-Q series - a family of AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistors engineered specifically for automotive signal integrity, robustness under thermal cycling, and long-term reliability in harsh environments.

FAQ

Is BC846AW-Q suitable for 24 V truck electrical systems?

Yes - its 65 V V_CEO rating provides 2.7× margin over nominal 24 V rail, accommodating load-dump transients up to 35 V per ISO 7637-2. The device remains within safe operating area when paired with appropriate base current limiting and PCB thermal relief.

What is the maximum continuous power dissipation at 85 °C ambient?

At T_amb = 85 °C, derated P_tot = 200 mW × (1 − (85 − 25)/125) = 104 mW. This assumes FR4 PCB mounting with single-sided 35 µm copper; exceeding this requires thermal vias or reduced I_C to maintain T_j ≤ 150 °C.

Does BC846AW-Q support pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching above 1 kHz?

Yes - with f_T = 100 MHz and typical V_CEsat rise/fall times <100 ns, it supports clean PWM switching up to 100 kHz. For 1–10 kHz LED dimming, gate/base drive impedance must be ≤10 kΩ to ensure full saturation within each cycle.

How does the "A" suffix in BC846AW-Q differ from BC846W-Q?

The "A" denotes Group A h_FE binning (110–220), versus standard BC846W-Q's broader 110–450 range. This tighter gain distribution simplifies production test limits and improves consistency in bias-dependent analog circuits like sensor excitation networks.

BC846AW-QX Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: BC846xW-Q

Package/Case:: SC-70, SOT-323

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:: 200 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 100MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: Automotive

Qualification:: AEC-Q101

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: SOT-323

BC846AW-QX FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC846AW-QX through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846AW-QX 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 BC846AW-QX reliable?

The price and inventory of BC846AW-QX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846AW-QX is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846AW-QX?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846AW-QX transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC846AW-QX?

BC846AW-QX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC846AW-QX 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 BC846AW-QX?

For technical support, including BC846AW-QX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846AW-QX requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846AW-QX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC846AW-QX 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 BC846AW-QX meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846AW-QX?

All BC846AW-QX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846AW-QX, 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 BC846AW-QX part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC846AW-QX:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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