Nexperia USA Inc. BC847AW,115

Overview

BC847AW,115 from Nexperia is an NPN general-purpose transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) package, rated for 45 V V_CEO, 100 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 110–220 at I_C = 2 mA and V_CE = 5 V. It serves as a low-power switching and amplification device in signal conditioning stages of consumer IoT sensor nodes, LED driver bias networks, and microcontroller GPIO interface buffers.

For engineers reviewing the BC847AW,115 datasheet, BC847AW,115 pinout, BC847AW,115 application, or BC847AW,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 200 mW P_tot at T_amb ≤ 25 °C, 625 K/W R_th(j-a) on FR4 PCB, and guaranteed h_FE binning - critical for predictable base drive sizing in discrete logic-level translators.

Technical Context

This transistor operates in active and saturation regions with V_BE(sat) = 900 mV max at I_C = 100 mA / I_B = 5 mA, and V_CE(sat) = 400 mV max under identical conditions. Its f_T = 100 MHz enables stable operation up to audio-frequency amplification and fast digital switching below 10 MHz.

Thermal performance is defined for standard FR4 PCB mounting: R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W, with junction temperature limited to 150 °C and storage range spanning −65 °C to +150 °C. Absolute maximum ratings include V_CBO = 50 V and V_EBO = 6 V, supporting robust bias network design.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mounted package: 1.3 mm × 1.8 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal leadless outline optimized for high-density PCB layouts and reflow soldering.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN general-purpose transistor applications.

Compared with BC847B,115, the BC847AW,115 offers tighter h_FE tolerance (110–220 vs. 200–450), simplifying bias design for deterministic turn-on; versus MMBT3904LT1G, it saves 35% PCB area and matches 45 V rating but trades 110 mW P_tot headroom for miniaturization.

Availability

BC847AW,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver bias control, microcontroller GPIO level translation, and low-power sensor signal amplification requiring stable component supply across high-mix, low-volume production runs.

Supply support for BC847AW,115 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 delivering high-performance, reliable discrete, logic, and MOSFET devices with focus on efficiency, miniaturization, and automotive-grade reliability.

The BC847xW series targets cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications in consumer electronics and industrial controls, emphasizing consistent parametric binning and SMT manufacturability in sub-2 mm packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum peak base current is 100 mA for single pulses ≤1 ms, but continuous operation must limit I_B to ensure I_C ≤ 100 mA and P_tot ≤ 200 mW. At h_FE = 110, this restricts steady-state I_B to ≤910 µA - verified by V_BE(sat) = 900 mV max and thermal resistance constraints on FR4 PCB.

Can BC847AW,115 be used in linear amplifier configurations?

Yes - its f_T = 100 MHz, low noise figure (2–10 dB at 1 kHz), and stable h_FE vs. temperature (−2 mV/K V_BE drift) support Class-A audio preamplifiers and sensor signal conditioning. Designers must maintain V_CE > 1 V and I_C < 50 mA to avoid thermal runaway and stay within P_tot limits.

Is BC847AW,115 qualified for automotive applications?

No - this part is non-automotive qualified per Nexperia's revision history (v.13, July 2022). It lacks AEC-Q101 stress testing and automotive-grade process controls. For automotive use, select the BC847AW-Q series, which undergoes extended temperature cycling, HTOL, and ESD qualification per AEC standards.

How does the SOT323 package affect thermal performance compared to SOT23?

The SOT323 package has higher thermal resistance: R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W vs. ~300 K/W for standard SOT23 on identical FR4 PCBs. This results in ~325 K/W additional junction-to-ambient rise per watt - requiring stricter I_C derating above 25 °C ambient or use of copper pour to mitigate temperature rise in sustained 100 mA operation.