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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC846W-QX

Name: BC846W-QX
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC846W-QX
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC846W-QX

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: SC-70, SOT-323

Datasheet:: BC846W-QX.pdf

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

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC846W-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 110–450 at V_CE = 5 V and I_C = 2 mA. It serves as a compact, automotive-grade switching and amplification device in space-constrained PCBs.

For engineers reviewing the BC846W-Q datasheet, BC846W-Q pinout, BC846W-Q application, or BC846W-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 robustness and gain consistency across temperature are critical.

Technical Context

This transistor operates as a discrete bipolar junction device with base-controlled current amplification. Its V_CEO = 65 V and V_CBO = 80 V support moderate-voltage rail interfacing, while its 200 mW P_tot rating at T_amb ≤ 25 °C defines thermal derating limits on FR4 PCBs.

The BC846W-Q exhibits h_FE variation across collector current (10 µA–100 mA) and temperature (−55 °C to +150 °C), with typical V_BE = 660 mV at I_C = 2 mA and V_CE = 5 V. Saturation performance is specified at I_C/I_B = 20, delivering V_CE(sat) ≤ 400 mV at I_C = 100 mA and I_B = 5 mA.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	65 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage under open-base condition; sets upper limit for switch-off voltage tolerance.
I_C	100 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; defines maximum steady-state load drive capability.
h_FE	110–450 - DC current gain range at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 2 mA; determines required base drive for target collector current.
V_CE(sat)	≤400 mV - Collector-emitter saturation voltage at I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA; directly impacts conduction loss in switching applications.
P_tot	200 mW - Total power dissipation at T_amb = 25 °C on standard FR4; governs thermal design margin without heatsinking.
R_th(j-a)	625 K/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance in free air; used to calculate junction temperature rise under given power dissipation.
f_T	100 MHz - Transition frequency at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 10 mA; indicates usable bandwidth for small-signal amplification.

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 high-density automotive PCB layouts and reflow-compatible assembly.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Control terminal; requires current-limited drive (e.g., via series resistor) to achieve desired I_C based on h_FE.
2	Emitter (E)	Current return path; typically tied to ground or low-side reference; establishes common node for bias network.
3	Collector (C)	Output terminal; connects to load (e.g., relay coil, LED anode); must withstand V_CEO during off-state.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
AEC-Q101 qualification	Validated for automotive use per stress test requirements including HTOL, TC, HAST, and ESD; enables deployment in engine control, lighting, and infotainment modules.
SOT323 (SC-70) footprint	0.65 mm pitch, 2.2 mm × 1.35 mm body - reduces board area by >40% vs. SOT23; compatible with standard reflow profiles and AOI inspection.
Three gain variants (W/AW/BW)	BC846W-Q offers broad h_FE spread (110–450); allows selection of optimal gain bin for specific bias stability or speed trade-offs.
Low V_BE(sat)	≤900 mV at I_C = 100 mA, I_B = 5 mA - minimizes base drive power and improves efficiency in high-duty-cycle switching.
150 °C max junction temperature	Enables operation in under-hood environments; combined with R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W, supports ~125 °C ambient with 200 mW dissipation.

Applications

Automotive Interior Lighting Control

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Interface

Use Scenario: Driving 20 mA white LEDs in dashboard backlighting circuits using PWM dimming.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch controlling LED cathode path; handles repetitive 100 Hz–1 kHz switching with minimal V_CE(sat) loss.

Use Value: 400 mV V_CE(sat) at 100 mA ensures <10 mW conduction loss per LED string, preserving battery life and reducing thermal load on PCB.

Use Scenario: Biasing NTC thermistor in coolant temperature sensing circuit with 5 V MCU ADC input.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Constant-current source (I_C ≈ 1 mA) establishing stable excitation for thermistor voltage divider.

Use Value: Tight h_FE consistency (110–450) across −40 °C to +125 °C ensures <±2% current drift, improving temperature measurement accuracy.

Body Control Module Relay Driver

Infotainment System Button Debounce Circuit

Use Scenario: Switching 12 V/50 mA electromagnetic relay coil in door lock actuation circuit.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch providing full coil energization; clamped by flyback diode to suppress inductive kick.

Use Value: 65 V V_CEO safely absorbs 40 V+ transients from relay coil collapse, eliminating need for external TVS in cost-sensitive BOMs.

Use Scenario: Conditioning mechanical push-button signals before MCU GPIO input to eliminate contact bounce.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Schmitt-trigger-like amplifier stage with hysteresis set by RC feedback; provides clean digital edge to MCU.

Use Value: 100 MHz f_T supports sub-microsecond response to button transitions, enabling reliable <5 ms debounce without firmware delay loops.

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
BC847W-Q	Same SOT323 package; higher h_FE (200–450) and lower V_CE(sat) (≤300 mV @ 100 mA), but identical V_CEO/I_C ratings.	Better suited for low-loss switching where tighter gain control is needed; not recommended if existing bias resistors rely on BC846W-Q's lower minimum h_FE.	Select when optimizing for reduced base drive or improved saturation efficiency without changing layout.
MMBT3904LT1G	Same function and package; V_CEO = 40 V (lower), h_FE = 100–300, and P_tot = 310 mW; not AEC-Q101 qualified.	Limited to non-automotive 5 V/3.3 V systems; unsuitable for 12 V automotive rails or temperature-critical environments.	Choose only for industrial or consumer designs where AEC-Q101 compliance and 65 V rating are unnecessary.

Compared with BC846W-Q, BC847W-Q delivers superior gain consistency and lower saturation loss for precision switching, while MMBT3904LT1G trades automotive qualification and voltage headroom for higher power dissipation-making it viable only in benign, low-voltage applications.

Availability

BC846W-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive interior lighting control, engine sensor interface circuits, body control module relay drivers, and infotainment button debounce circuits requiring stable component supply and AEC-Q101 compliance.

Supply support for BC846W-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 specializing in high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and advanced packaging.

The BC846xW-Q series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor portfolio, engineered specifically for robust, space-efficient switching and amplification in automotive body electronics and powertrain-adjacent subsystems.

FAQ

Is BC846W-Q pin-compatible with BC846B?

Yes - BC846W-Q shares identical SOT323 pinout (1: Base, 2: Emitter, 3: Collector) and mechanical footprint with non-automotive BC846B variants. However, BC846W-Q includes AEC-Q101 qualification, tighter process controls, and traceable lot documentation required for automotive production.

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum peak base current is 200 mA (single pulse, t_p ≤ 1 ms), but continuous operation must limit I_B to ensure junction temperature stays below 150 °C. At I_C = 100 mA and h_FE = 110, I_B ≈ 0.91 mA; typical design uses 1–5 mA with appropriate series resistance to avoid thermal runaway.

Can BC846W-Q replace BC856W-Q in a circuit?

No - BC856W-Q is the PNP complement with reversed polarity (emitter and collector swapped in schematic symbol). Substituting BC846W-Q (NPN) for BC856W-Q (PNP) would invert switching logic and likely cause circuit failure unless topology is redesigned to accommodate NPN low-side vs. PNP high-side configuration.

Does BC846W-Q require a heatsink in standard FR4 PCB applications?

No - with P_tot = 200 mW and R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W, junction temperature rise is ~125 °C at full power, which exceeds the 150 °C limit only if ambient exceeds 25 °C. In practice, typical I_C ≤ 20 mA keeps dissipation below 10 mW, making heatsinking unnecessary on standard FR4 layouts.

BC846W-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

BC846W-QX FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC846W-QX through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC846W-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 BC846W-QX reliable?

The price and inventory of BC846W-QX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC846W-QX is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC846W-QX?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC846W-QX transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC846W-QX?

BC846W-QX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC846W-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 BC846W-QX?

For technical support, including BC846W-QX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC846W-QX requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC846W-QX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC846W-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 BC846W-QX meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC846W-QX?

All BC846W-QX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC846W-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 BC846W-QX part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC846W-QX:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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