Nexperia USA Inc. BC846BW/DG/B3X
- Part No.:
- BC846BW/DG/B3X
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- SC-70, SOT-323
- Datasheet:
-
BC846BW/DG/B3X.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 65V 0.1A SOT-323
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:9,947
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Product details
Overview
BC846BW/DG/B3X from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) package, rated for 65 V VCEO, 100 mA IC, and DC current gain (hFE) of 200–450 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA. It serves as a compact switching or linear amplification device in space-constrained consumer and industrial PCBs.
For engineers reviewing the BC846BW/DG/B3X datasheet, BC846BW/DG/B3X pinout, BC846BW/DG/B3X application, or BC846BW/DG/B3X equivalent, key selection criteria include its 200 mW power dissipation at Tamb ≤ 25 °C, 2.2 mm × 1.35 mm footprint, low VCE(sat) of 200 mV (typ.) at IC = 100 mA / IB = 5 mA, and guaranteed hFE group B performance across –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature range.
Technical Context
This transistor operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with defined absolute maximum ratings: VCBO = 80 V, VEBO = 6 V, and Tj = 150 °C. Its thermal resistance Rth(j-a) is 625 K/W on standard FR4 PCB, enabling reliable operation under pulsed loads up to 200 mA peak with 1 ms pulse width.
Electrical characteristics are specified at 25 °C ambient and validated across –55 °C to +150 °C. Key nonlinear behaviors - including hFE roll-off above 10 mA, VBE temperature coefficient of ~–2 mV/K, and Cc = 2 pF - support stable biasing and high-frequency small-signal use up to 100 MHz fT.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 65 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines upper rail limit in switching applications. |
| IC | 100 mA continuous - Sustained collector current capability; supports logic-level load switching and pre-driver stages. |
| hFE | 200–450 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA - Tight gain binning (Group B) enables predictable bias design without trimming. |
| VCE(sat) | 200 mV typ. at IC = 100 mA, IB = 5 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in digital switch configurations. |
| Ptot | 200 mW at Tamb ≤ 25 °C - Power handling on standard FR4 PCB; derates linearly above 25 °C ambient. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms suitability for RF front-end amplification and fast-switching control loops. |
| Cc | 2 pF - Collector-base capacitance limits Miller effect in high-speed switching; aids EMI control. |
Pinout & Package
SOT323 (SC-70) is a 3-pin, surface-mount plastic package measuring 2.2 mm × 1.35 mm × 0.95 mm (L × W × H), optimized for automated placement and reflow soldering on dense PCBs.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor to limit IB and ensure saturation or linear operation. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Reference terminal for bias network; connected to ground or low-side return path in common-emitter configuration. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Output current sink node; interfaces with load (e.g., LED, relay coil, logic gate input) in switching mode. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| High-voltage NPN structure | 65 V VCEO rating enables use in 24 V and 48 V industrial control rails without derating. |
| Gain-binned Group B | hFE = 200–450 ensures consistent current amplification across production lots, reducing calibration overhead. |
| Ultra-small SOT323 footprint | 2.2 mm × 1.35 mm area saves >60% board space vs. SOT23, critical for wearables and IoT sensor nodes. |
| Thermal robustness | Rth(j-a) = 625 K/W on FR4 allows sustained 100 mA operation up to +85 °C ambient with no heatsink. |
| Low-noise amplification | NF = 2–10 dB at 1 kHz supports audio preamp and sensor signal conditioning without external filtering. |
Applications
| LED Driver Circuit | Microcontroller GPIO Expander |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving 20 mA indicator LEDs from 3.3 V or 5 V MCU outputs in portable instrumentation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch configured in common-emitter mode, sinking LED current to ground. Use Value: VCE(sat) ≤ 200 mV ensures >95% LED forward voltage utilization and minimal self-heating at 20 mA. |
Use Scenario: Amplifying weak analog sensor signals (e.g., thermistor, photodiode) before ADC sampling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier with emitter-degeneration bias for stable DC gain and bandwidth. Use Value: fT = 100 MHz and hFE ≥ 200 enable 10 kHz–1 MHz signal amplification with <1% distortion at 2 mA IC. |
| Power Supply Enable Switch | Level Translation Interface |
Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling 12 V auxiliary rails using 3.3 V logic in embedded power management subsystems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side or low-side switch controlling PMOS/NMOS gate drive or LDO EN pin. Use Value: 65 V VCEO and 100 mA IC allow direct control of 12 V/24 V enable lines without additional protection circuitry. |
Use Scenario: Translating 1.8 V logic outputs to 5 V-compatible inputs in mixed-voltage microcontroller systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Active pull-up level shifter using common-collector (emitter-follower) configuration. Use Value: VBE ≈ 660 mV at IC = 2 mA ensures accurate 1.8 V → 5 V translation with <5 ns propagation delay. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC847BW | Same SOT323 package; hFE = 200–450 (Group B), but VCEO = 45 V (vs. 65 V) | Limited to ≤36 V systems; unsuitable for 48 V industrial bus interfaces | Select when lower voltage rating is acceptable and cost optimization is prioritized |
| MMBT3904LT1G | SOT23 package; hFE = 100–300; VCEO = 40 V; Ptot = 310 mW | Larger footprint (2.9 mm × 1.3 mm); higher power but lower voltage and gain consistency | Choose for legacy designs requiring SOT23 compatibility or higher power margin at lower voltage |
Compared with BC846BW/DG/B3X, BC847BW trades 20 V breakdown headroom for identical gain binning and footprint, while MMBT3904LT1G offers greater power handling in a larger package but lacks the 65 V rating and tight hFE spread needed for precision biasing in high-reliability 48 V systems.
Availability
BC846BW/DG/B3X is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, microcontroller GPIO expansion, power supply enable switching, and level translation interfaces requiring stable component supply and consistent gain performance.
Supply support for BC846BW/DG/B3X 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 BC846xW series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose transistor product line, engineered for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications demanding consistent gain, low saturation voltage, and robust thermal performance in consumer and industrial electronics.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating temperature for BC846BW/DG/B3X?
The BC846BW/DG/B3X has a maximum junction temperature (Tj) of 150 °C and storage temperature range of –65 °C to +150 °C. Its thermal resistance Rth(j-a) is 625 K/W on standard FR4 PCB, meaning it can sustain 100 mA collector current up to +85 °C ambient without exceeding Tj = 150 °C, assuming no additional heatsinking.
How does the hFE variation affect bias stability in amplifier designs?
BC846BW/DG/B3X is binned to Group B (hFE = 200–450), significantly tighter than standard BC846W (110–450). This reduces base current uncertainty by >2×, enabling stable DC bias in common-emitter amplifiers without emitter degeneration resistors - critical for low-component-count sensor front-ends.
Can BC846BW/DG/B3X replace BC846B in through-hole designs?
No - BC846BW/DG/B3X uses SOT323 (SC-70) surface-mount packaging, while through-hole BC846B uses TO-92. The pinouts, thermal profiles, and PCB layout requirements differ fundamentally. Direct replacement requires redesigning the footprint, thermal relief, and assembly process; no mechanical or soldering compatibility exists.
Is BC846BW/DG/B3X suitable for automotive applications?
No - BC846BW/DG/B3X is not AEC-Q101 qualified and lacks automotive-specific testing (e.g., HTOL, temperature cycling, ESD robustness per ISO 10605). Nexperia explicitly states non-automotive qualification in its legal disclaimers; use only in consumer, industrial, or commercial equipment where automotive reliability standards do not apply.
BC846BW/DG/B3X Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- BC846xW
- Package/Case:
- SC-70, SOT-323
- 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:
- 200 @ 2mA, 5V
- Power - Max:
- 250 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-323
BC846BW/DG/B3X FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC846BW/DG/B3X through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846BW/DG/B3X 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 BC846BW/DG/B3X reliable?
The price and inventory of BC846BW/DG/B3X are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846BW/DG/B3X is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846BW/DG/B3X?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846BW/DG/B3X transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC846BW/DG/B3X?
BC846BW/DG/B3X orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC846BW/DG/B3X 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 BC846BW/DG/B3X?
For technical support, including BC846BW/DG/B3X datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846BW/DG/B3X requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846BW/DG/B3X is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC846BW/DG/B3X 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 BC846BW/DG/B3X meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846BW/DG/B3X?
All BC846BW/DG/B3X units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846BW/DG/B3X, 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 BC846BW/DG/B3X part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC846BW/DG/B3X:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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