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

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
BC846BW-Q from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified 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 and IC = 2 mA. It serves as a compact, automotive-grade switching and amplification device in space-constrained PCBs.
For engineers reviewing the BC846BW-Q datasheet, BC846BW-Q pinout, BC846BW-Q application, or BC846BW-Q equivalent, this part supports precise low-current switching in automotive body electronics, sensor interface biasing, LED driver stages, and logic-level signal conditioning where thermal reliability and gain consistency across temperature are critical.
Technical Context
This transistor operates as a discrete bipolar junction device with fixed NPN polarity, optimized for linear amplification and saturated switching. Its gain group B (200–450 hFE) ensures predictable base drive requirements in feedback-stable amplifier configurations and consistent turn-on behavior in digital switching circuits.
Qualified to AEC-Q101, it sustains operation from −65 °C to +150 °C junction temperature, with VCEO = 65 V and VCB0 = 80 V enabling use in 12 V and 24 V automotive subsystems. Thermal resistance Rth(j-a) = 625 K/W on standard FR4 confirms suitability for low-power, non-heatsinked layouts.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 65 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; supports 24 V automotive rail with 175 % safety margin. |
| IC | 100 mA continuous - Enables direct driving of small relays, LEDs, or logic inputs without external buffering. |
| hFE | 200–450 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA - Tight gain binning reduces base resistor tolerance sensitivity in production designs. |
| VCE(sat) | 200–400 mV at IC = 100 mA, IB = 5 mA - Ensures <100 mW power dissipation during saturation, minimizing self-heating. |
| Ptot | 200 mW at Tamb ≤ 25 °C - Matches thermal budget of SOT323 on standard FR4, no derating needed below 50 °C ambient. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Supports amplification up to audio frequencies and fast digital edge handling in signal routing. |
Pinout & Package
SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mount package: 1.35 mm × 1.75 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal leadframe with gull-wing terminations. Optimized for reflow soldering per IPC-7095 guidelines.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires 5 mA typical base drive for full saturation at 100 mA collector load. |
| 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; handles up to 100 mA continuous load with <400 mV drop when properly biased. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive under-hood and cabin applications including engine control modules and lighting ECUs. |
| Two gain selections (A/B) | BC846BW-Q's 200–450 hFE range allows tighter base resistor selection versus BC846AW-Q (110–220), improving circuit predictability. |
| SOT323 ultra-small footprint | Reduces PCB area by >50 % vs. SOT23; compatible with 0.5 mm pitch reflow profiles and automated optical inspection. |
| Low VBE variation | VBE = 580–700 mV at IC = 2 mA enables stable biasing over −55 °C to +150 °C without compensation networks. |
Applications
| Automotive Door Module Switching | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Controlling window lift motor enable signals and mirror fold/unfold actuators in 12 V body control units. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch for 50–80 mA solenoid loads with fast turn-off (<1 µs) enabled by low Cc (2 pF). Use Value: Eliminates need for larger SOT23 transistors while maintaining AEC-Q101 compliance and thermal stability at 85 °C ambient. |
Use Scenario: Amplifying millivolt-level outputs from RTD or thermistor bridges in PLC analog input cards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fixed-gain common-emitter amplifier stage with 290 typ hFE ensuring ≥20 dB signal boost at DC–10 kHz. Use Value: Delivers 2 mV/K VBE drift tracking and <10 dB noise figure, preserving measurement resolution down to 0.1 °C. |
| LED Driver for Dashboard Backlight | Logic-Level Translation in MCU Peripherals |
|
Use Scenario: Driving 20 mA white LED strings in instrument cluster backlighting with PWM dimming at 1–5 kHz. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch with VCE(sat) ≤ 400 mV ensuring <8 mW per LED channel loss at full brightness. Use Value: Enables single-transistor current control without external current-sense resistors, reducing BOM count and layout area. |
Use Scenario: Level-shifting 1.8 V GPIO outputs from ultra-low-power MCUs to 3.3 V or 5 V peripheral interfaces. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Inverting buffer with <10 ns propagation delay and rail-to-rail output swing capability. Use Value: Provides clean, glitch-free translation without pull-up dependencies, supporting 10 MHz toggle rates in SPI/I²C auxiliary lines. |
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-Q | VCEO = 45 V, hFE = 200–450, same SOT323 package | Limited to 12 V systems; unsuitable for 24 V battery monitoring or alternator-sensed circuits | Select only if system max VCE < 40 V and cost optimization outweighs voltage headroom needs |
| MMBT3904-Q | VCEO = 40 V, hFE = 100–300, same SOT323, AEC-Q101 qualified | Lower gain consistency and reduced voltage margin limit use in precision bias networks | Prefer where legacy design reuse or second-source validation is required, not for new 24 V designs |
Compared with BC846BW-Q, BC847BW-Q trades 20 V collector-emitter rating for marginal cost reduction, while MMBT3904-Q offers broader industry familiarity but sacrifices 15 V voltage headroom and 30 % gain upper bound-making BC846BW-Q optimal for new automotive 24 V subsystems requiring robustness and gain stability.
Availability
BC846BW-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, LED backlight drivers, and logic-level translation circuits requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for BC846BW-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 high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and energy-efficient packaging.
The BC846xW-Q series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor family, engineered specifically for robust, space-efficient switching and amplification in automotive body electronics and industrial control systems.
FAQ
Is BC846BW-Q pin-compatible with BC846B?
Yes - BC846BW-Q uses identical SOT323 (SC-70) pinout (1=B, 2=E, 3=C) and mechanical dimensions as non-automotive BC846B variants. However, BC846BW-Q adds AEC-Q101 qualification, tighter hFE binning (200–450), and enhanced thermal cycling performance per automotive test standards.
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 continuous DC operation, IB must be limited to ensure Ptot ≤ 200 mW. At IC = 100 mA and hFE = 200, IB = 0.5 mA is sufficient; practical designs maintain IB ≤ 5 mA to guarantee saturation without exceeding thermal limits.
Can BC846BW-Q replace BC846AW-Q in existing designs?
Yes - both share identical package, pinout, and voltage/current ratings. BC846BW-Q offers higher minimum hFE (200 vs. 110) and wider gain range (200–450 vs. 110–220), improving base drive margin and reducing sensitivity to resistor tolerance. No layout or schematic changes are required.
Does BC846BW-Q require derating above 25 °C ambient?
Yes - total power dissipation must be linearly derated above 25 °C at 1.6 mW/°C (based on Rth(j-a) = 625 K/W). At 85 °C ambient, Ptot must be limited to 104 mW to maintain Tj ≤ 150 °C. This is automatically satisfied when operating at IC ≤ 65 mA with VCE(sat) ≤ 400 mV.
BC846BW-QF 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:
- 200 @ 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
BC846BW-QF FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC846BW-QF through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846BW-QF 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-QF reliable?
The price and inventory of BC846BW-QF are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846BW-QF is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846BW-QF?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846BW-QF transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC846BW-QF?
BC846BW-QF orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC846BW-QF 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-QF?
For technical support, including BC846BW-QF datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846BW-QF requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846BW-QF is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC846BW-QF 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-QF meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846BW-QF?
All BC846BW-QF units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846BW-QF, 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-QF part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC846BW-QF:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC846BW-QF Tags

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