Nexperia USA Inc. BC856AW,115
- Part No.:
- BC856AW,115
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- SC-70, SOT-323
- Datasheet:
-
BC856AW,115.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS PNP 65V 0.1A SOT-323
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:463
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Product details
Overview
BC856AW,115 from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) package, rated for −65 V VCEO, −100 mA IC, and DC current gain (hFE) of 125–250 at VCE = −5 V, IC = −2 mA. It serves as a low-power switching or linear amplification device in compact consumer and industrial signal-path circuits.
For engineers reviewing the BC856AW,115 datasheet, BC856AW,115 pinout, BC856AW,115 application, or BC856AW,115 equivalent, this part is selected for space-constrained designs requiring stable DC gain, low saturation voltage, and verified thermal performance on FR4 PCBs with standard reflow profiles.
Technical Context
The BC856AW operates as a discrete PNP BJT with base-controlled current amplification, optimized for linear and saturated-mode operation. Its hFE range (125–250) ensures predictable biasing across temperature, while VCE(sat) ≤ −250 mV at IC = −100 mA / IB = −5 mA supports efficient low-voltage switching.
Thermal resistance Rth(j-a) is 625 K/W under standard FR4 mounting, and its SC-70 footprint enables high-density placement. The device complies with IEC 60134 absolute maximum ratings, including Tj ≤ 150 °C and ESD robustness per HBM Class 1B.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | −65 V - Maximum collector-emitter blocking voltage in open-base configuration; defines safe operating voltage in PNP switch applications. |
| IC | −100 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; sets upper limit for load-driving capability in active or saturated mode. |
| hFE | 125–250 - DC current gain at VCE = −5 V, IC = −2 mA; determines base drive requirements for reliable turn-on in amplifier/switch designs. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤ −250 mV - Collector-emitter saturation voltage at IC = −100 mA, IB = −5 mA; directly impacts conduction loss and power dissipation in switching use. |
| Ptot | 200 mW - Total power dissipation at Tamb ≤ 25 °C on standard FR4 PCB; constrains usable current/voltage combinations under natural convection. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency at VCE = −5 V, IC = −10 mA; indicates usable bandwidth for small-signal amplification up to HF range. |
Pinout & Package
SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads; dimensions: 2.2 mm × 1.35 mm × 0.95 mm (L × W × H), 0.65 mm lead pitch, and gull-wing terminations compatible with standard reflow soldering.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Control terminal for forward-biased PNP operation; requires negative base current relative to emitter to enable conduction. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Current source terminal in PNP configuration; connected to higher potential rail in common-emitter switch layouts. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Current sink terminal; delivers load current to ground or lower-potential node when transistor is biased on. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low-profile SMT package | SOT323 footprint saves >60% board area vs. SOT23; enables routing under adjacent components in dense layouts. |
| Controlled hFE spread | 125–250 range allows consistent bias design without individual gain binning in production assemblies. |
| Low VCE(sat) | ≤ −250 mV at full rated current minimizes power loss and self-heating during sustained on-state operation. |
| Thermally validated mounting | Rth(j-a) = 625 K/W measured on standard FR4 PCB confirms thermal predictability for reliability modeling. |
Applications
| LED Driver Circuit | Level-Shifting Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Driving 20 mA indicator LEDs from 3.3 V microcontroller GPIO pins with inverted logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch providing active-low current sinking path; base driven via 10 kΩ pull-up to 3.3 V and MCU output. Use Value: VCE(sat) ≤ −250 mV ensures <1 mW dissipation per LED channel, enabling 8-channel integration on 25 mm² PCB area. |
Use Scenario: Translating 5 V TTL logic signals down to 3.3 V I/O domains in mixed-voltage MCU systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Single-transistor level shifter with emitter-follower configuration; no external bias resistors required. Use Value: fT = 100 MHz supports clean edge transitions up to 10 Mbps, avoiding timing skew in UART/SPI interfaces. |
| Signal Amplifier Stage | Power Supply Enable Switch |
|
Use Scenario: Low-noise preamplification of analog sensor outputs (e.g., thermistor bridge) before ADC input. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier with emitter degeneration resistor; configured for 10× voltage gain and DC coupling. Use Value: NF = 2–10 dB at 1 kHz enables sub-10 µV RMS noise floor in 20 Hz–20 kHz band, preserving sensor SNR. |
Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling 12 V auxiliary rails in battery-powered instrumentation using 3.3 V control logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side switch controlling PMOS gate drive; BC856AW biases gate-to-source voltage via resistor network. Use Value: −65 V VCEO provides 5× safety margin over 12 V rail, ensuring long-term reliability under load dump transients. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP general-purpose transistor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC857AW,115 | Lower VCEO (−45 V), same hFE range (125–250), identical SOT323 package and pinout. | Not suitable for 60 V bus monitoring; acceptable for ≤40 V supply rails and signal-level switching. | Select when system voltage is capped at 40 V and cost optimization is prioritized over voltage headroom. |
| BC846AW,115 | NPN complement; same VCEO (+65 V), hFE 125–250, SOT323 package, mirrored pinout (1=C, 2=B, 3=E). | Requires inverted control logic and different bias topology; used where NPN sourcing or common-emitter gain is preferred. | Choose for complementary pair design or when existing layout uses NPN-centric topology with shared base-drive networks. |
Compared with BC856AW,115, BC857AW,115 trades 20 V breakdown margin for identical gain and package compatibility, while BC846AW,115 offers functional symmetry but mandates circuit-level polarity reversal and layout adaptation.
Availability
BC856AW,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, level-shifting interfaces, analog signal amplifiers, and power supply enable switches requiring stable component supply across industrial and consumer production runs.
Supply support for BC856AW,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 focused on high-volume, high-reliability essential semiconductors for automotive, industrial, mobile, and computing markets.
The BC856AW belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose BJT portfolio, engineered for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications demanding predictable DC characteristics and proven manufacturability in high-mix SMT lines.
FAQ
What is the maximum junction temperature and how does it affect continuous operation?
The BC856AW has a maximum junction temperature (Tj) of 150 °C. At ambient temperatures above 75 °C, derating is required: power dissipation must be reduced linearly to zero at 150 °C. On standard FR4 PCB, full 200 mW rating applies only below 25 °C ambient; above that, thermal resistance (625 K/W) dictates allowable load based on actual board temperature rise.
Can BC856AW,115 replace BC856W in existing designs?
Yes - BC856AW,115 is the A-grade variant of BC856W, sharing identical electrical specifications, SOT323 package, and pinout. The "A" suffix denotes tighter hFE binning (125–250 vs. 125–475 for BC856W), improving bias stability without layout or firmware changes. Marking code "3A%" confirms direct interchangeability.
How does the BC856AW perform under pulsed current conditions?
It supports peak collector current (ICM) of −200 mA for pulses ≤300 μs with duty cycle ≤2%. Under these conditions, VCE(sat) remains ≤−300 mV and thermal stress is minimized due to low transient impedance. Pulse operation enables brief high-current loads (e.g., relay coil activation) without exceeding steady-state power limits.
Is BC856AW,115 suitable for automotive applications?
No - BC856AW,115 is not AEC-Q101 qualified and lacks automotive-specific testing (e.g., HTOL, temperature cycling). Nexperia explicitly states non-automotive qualification in the legal disclaimers. For automotive use, select AEC-Q101 qualified equivalents such as PBSS4041T or MMBT3906Q.
BC856AW,115 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- SC-70, SOT-323
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Transistor Type:
- PNP
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 100 mA
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 65 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 600mV @ 5mA, 100mA
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 15nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 125 @ 2mA, 5V
- Power - Max:
- 200 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-323
BC856AW,115 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC856AW,115 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC856AW,115 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 BC856AW,115 reliable?
The price and inventory of BC856AW,115 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC856AW,115 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC856AW,115?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC856AW,115 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC856AW,115?
BC856AW,115 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC856AW,115 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 BC856AW,115?
For technical support, including BC856AW,115 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC856AW,115 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC856AW,115 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC856AW,115 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 BC856AW,115 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC856AW,115?
All BC856AW,115 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC856AW,115, 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 BC856AW,115 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC856AW,115:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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