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Nexperia USA Inc. BC846-QR
- Part No.:
- BC846-QR
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC846-QR.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 65V 0.1A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,865
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Product details
Overview
BC846-Q from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 65 V VCEO, 100 mA IC, and DC current gain (hFE) spanning 110–450 at VCE = 5 V and IC = 2 mA - deployed in automotive body control modules for discrete load switching.
For engineers reviewing the BC846-Q datasheet, BC846-Q pinout, BC846-Q application, or BC846-Q equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal limits, automotive qualification status, SOT23 footprint details, and validated alternatives for BOM optimization and functional replacement.
Technical Context
The BC846-Q operates as a silicon NPN bipolar junction transistor optimized for linear amplification and saturated switching in low-power analog and digital circuits. Its design supports base-driven operation with guaranteed hFE range, low VCE(sat) ≤ 400 mV at IC = 100 mA / IB = 5 mA, and robust thermal performance up to Tj = 150 °C.
It complies with AEC-Q101 stress testing for automotive use, including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD (HBM ≥ 8 kV), and features a JEDEC-standard SOT23 outline with defined solder land patterns for reflow and wave processes per Figures 11 and 12 of the datasheet.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 65 V - maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown under open-base condition; defines safe operating voltage headroom in 12 V/24 V automotive supply rails. |
| IC | 100 mA continuous - maximum DC collector current; suitable for driving LEDs, relays, small solenoids, and logic-level interface loads. |
| hFE | 110–450 at VCE = 5 V, IC = 2 mA - wide DC current gain band enables consistent biasing across production lots without individual trimming. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤ 400 mV at IC = 100 mA, IB = 5 mA - ensures low conduction loss and minimal self-heating during switching in high-duty-cycle applications. |
| Ptot | 250 mW at Tamb ≤ 25 °C on FR4 PCB - sets practical power handling limit for surface-mount placement without heatsinking. |
| Rth(j-a) | 500 K/W - thermal resistance from junction to ambient in free air; informs derating curves for operation above 25 °C ambient. |
| AEC-Q101 | Qualified - certified for automotive use per Stress Test Qualification for Discrete Semiconductors; includes HTGB, HTRB, and temperature cycling. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package: 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 1.1 mm height, standard pitch of 0.95 mm between pins 1 and 2, and 1.9 mm between pins 1 and 3. Compliant with IPC-7351B density level A.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Control terminal; requires ~0.7 V forward bias and sufficient IB to saturate transistor - typical IB = IC/10–20 for reliable switching. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Current return path; connected to ground or low-side reference; forms common-emitter configuration with defined input impedance. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Output current path; handles switched load current up to 100 mA; must be routed with adequate copper area for thermal dissipation. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive underhood and cabin applications including lighting control, sensor interfaces, and power distribution units. |
| Two gain variants (A/B) | BC846A-Q (hFE = 110–220) and BC846B-Q (200–450) enable precise gain binning for analog amplifier stability or digital switch consistency. |
| SOT23 footprint compatibility | Standardized 3-lead SMD outline allows drop-in replacement with BC847, BC848, and MMBT series without PCB redesign. |
| Low VBE(sat) | ≤ 900 mV at IC = 100 mA, IB = 5 mA - reduces base drive power and eases microcontroller GPIO sourcing requirements. |
Applications
| Automotive Interior Lighting Control | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Switching 12 V LED strips in door panels and footwells using PWM from MCU GPIO. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side NPN switch providing current sink path for LED cathodes. Use Value: VCE(sat) ≤ 400 mV minimizes power loss and heat generation in confined space; AEC-Q101 ensures reliability over 15-year vehicle lifetime. |
Use Scenario: Amplifying low-level thermistor or RTD bridge outputs in PLC analog input modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier stage with stable hFE enabling predictable gain calibration. Use Value: hFE range of 110–450 supports factory-trimmed bias networks; low noise figure (2–10 dB) preserves signal integrity at 1 kHz. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Driver Stage | Medical Diagnostic Equipment Power Sequencing |
Use Scenario: Driving small brushed DC motors in smart home vacuum cleaners and HVAC dampers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch controlling motor enable line with fast turn-on/turn-off via base resistor network. Use Value: fT ≥ 100 MHz ensures clean switching edges up to 100 kHz PWM; Cc = 2–3 pF limits Miller effect in gate-drive isolation stages. |
Use Scenario: Enabling regulated power rails in portable ultrasound units using discrete sequencing logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete logic-level translator between 3.3 V FPGA outputs and 5 V/12 V PMIC enable inputs. Use Value: VCEO = 65 V provides margin against back-EMF transients; VEBO = 6 V withstands ESD events on control lines per IEC 61000-4-2. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC847B-Q | Higher hFE (200–450 same bin), identical VCEO/IC, but lower VCE(sat) (typ. 200 mV @ IC=100 mA). | Preferred where tighter gain tolerance and lower saturation loss are required in precision analog switches. | Select BC847B-Q when designing for <100 mV additional VCE(sat) margin or improved thermal efficiency at full load. |
| MMBT3904LT1G | Same SOT23 package, VCEO = 40 V (lower), hFE = 100–300, not AEC-Q101 qualified. | Suitable for commercial-grade consumer electronics but excluded from automotive or industrial safety-critical designs. | Choose MMBT3904LT1G only for cost-sensitive non-automotive applications where 40 V rating suffices and qualification is not mandated. |
Compared with BC846-Q, BC847B-Q offers superior saturation performance and identical automotive qualification, while MMBT3904LT1G trades qualification and voltage rating for broader commercial availability and lower unit cost - selection depends on system-level reliability, voltage margin, and thermal constraints.
Availability
BC846-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting control, industrial sensor interfaces, consumer appliance motor drivers, and medical diagnostic power sequencing requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.
Supply support for BC846-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 solutions.
The BC846x-Q series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor portfolio, engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective switching and amplification in automotive and industrial environments where long-term supply stability and process consistency are critical.
FAQ
Is BC846-Q pin-compatible with BC847-Q?
Yes - both use identical SOT23 (TO-236AB) package with pin 1 = Base, pin 2 = Emitter, pin 3 = Collector. Electrical differences include higher hFE and lower VCE(sat) in BC847-Q, but mechanical layout and PCB footprint are fully interchangeable without modification.
What is the maximum allowable junction temperature for BC846-Q?
The absolute maximum junction temperature (Tj) is 150 °C per IEC 60134 limiting values. Derating begins above 25 °C ambient at 2.0 mW/°C based on Rth(j-a) = 500 K/W, meaning Ptot drops to 150 mW at 100 °C ambient.
Does BC846-Q support pulsed operation beyond 100 mA?
Yes - peak collector current (ICM) is rated at 200 mA for single pulses ≤ 1 ms, provided duty cycle remains low enough to maintain average power within 250 mW and junction temperature below 150 °C. Thermal transient impedance data (Figure 1) supports pulse design validation.
How does the marking code '1D%' identify BC846-Q on the device?
The top-side marking '1D%' indicates BC846-Q, where '1D' is the standardized Nexperia device code and '%' is a placeholder for the manufacturing site identifier (e.g., 'A' for Nijmegen, 'B' for Bangkok). This matches Table 5 in the datasheet and is verified on physical samples and distributor packaging.
BC846-QR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- BC846x-Q
- Package/Case:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- 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:
- 250 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC846-QR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC846-QR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846-QR 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 BC846-QR reliable?
The price and inventory of BC846-QR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846-QR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846-QR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846-QR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC846-QR?
BC846-QR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC846-QR 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 BC846-QR?
For technical support, including BC846-QR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846-QR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846-QR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC846-QR 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 BC846-QR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846-QR?
All BC846-QR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846-QR, 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 BC846-QR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC846-QR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC846-QR Tags
-
MMBT3906LT1G
onsemi
-
MMBT3904-7-F
Diodes Incorporated
-
MMBT3904LT1G
onsemi
-
MMBT3906-7-F
Diodes Incorporated
-
MMBT3904-TP
Micro Commercial Co
-
MMBT2222A-7-F
Diodes Incorporated
-
BC846BLT1G
onsemi
-
BC847B,215
Nexperia USA Inc.
-
SMMBT3904LT1G
onsemi
-
MMBT2222A-TP
Micro Commercial Co
-
MMBTA06LT1G
onsemi
-
MMBT2222ALT1G
onsemi
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