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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC856AW-QX

Name: BC856AW-QX
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC856AW-QX
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC856AW-QX

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: SC-70, SOT-323

Datasheet:: BC856AW-QX.pdf

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

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

BC856AW-Q from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in SOT323 (SC-70) package, rated for −65 V V_CEO, −100 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 125–250 at V_CE = −5 V and I_C = −2 mA. It serves as a low-power switching or linear amplification device in automotive signal conditioning, sensor interface, and LED driver circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC856AW-Q datasheet, BC856AW-Q pinout, BC856AW-Q application, or BC856AW-Q equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, AEC-Q101 qualification status, thermal resistance (625 K/W), saturation voltage (V_CE(sat) ≤ −250 mV @ I_C = −100 mA, I_B = −5 mA), and exact SC-70 pin mapping - all critical for automotive-grade PCB layout and reliability validation.

Technical Context

This PNP BJT operates with open-base collector-emitter breakdown voltage of −65 V and emitter-base breakdown voltage of −5 V, enabling robust operation in low-voltage automotive domains where reverse polarity protection and transient immunity are required. Its h_FE range (125–250) ensures predictable base drive requirements across temperature (−55 °C to +150 °C).

Thermal performance is defined for FR4 PCB mounting (single-sided, 35 µm Cu), delivering R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W in free air. The device exhibits f_T = 100 MHz and low noise figure (NF = 2 dB @ I_C = −200 µA), supporting stable small-signal amplification in sensor front-ends.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	−65 V: Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage under open-base condition; supports 12 V/24 V automotive rail transients.
I_C	−100 mA continuous: Enables direct driving of small relays, LEDs, or logic-level inputs without external buffering.
h_FE	125–250 @ V_CE = −5 V, I_C = −2 mA: Predictable DC gain for stable biasing in Class-A amplifiers or saturated switches.
V_CE(sat)	≤ −250 mV @ I_C = −100 mA, I_B = −5 mA: Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and self-heating in switching applications.
R_th(j-a)	625 K/W on FR4 PCB: Defines thermal derating slope; limits usable power to ~200 mW at T_amb = 25 °C.
AEC-Q101	Qualified: Meets stress-test requirements for automotive discrete semiconductors, including temperature cycling and HTRB.

Pinout & Package

SOT323 (SC-70) surface-mount plastic package: 1.3 mm × 1.8 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal configuration optimized for high-density automotive PCBs.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Control terminal; requires current-limited drive (I_B ≤ −5 mA typical for full saturation) to switch collector current.
2	Emitter (E)	Current source node; connected to higher potential (e.g., V_CC) in common-emitter configuration; must handle full load return path.
3	Collector (C)	Current sink node; connects to load (e.g., LED cathode or relay coil); voltage swing limited to −65 V relative to emitter.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
AEC-Q101 qualified	Validated for automotive use per stress-test standard, eliminating need for customer requalification in Tier-1 modules.
Low V_CE(sat)	−250 mV max enables <10 mW conduction loss at 100 mA, reducing thermal load in space-constrained ECUs.
High h_FE consistency	125–250 range allows single resistor bias design across production lots without trim or feedback.
SC-70 footprint	0.95 mm profile and 1.3 × 1.8 mm area support automated placement and reflow in compact ADAS sensor assemblies.

Applications

Automotive Door Module Switching

Engine Coolant Sensor Amplifier

Use Scenario: Controlling window lift motor enable signals and mirror fold/unfold actuators in door control units.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch sourcing current from 12 V rail to activate low-side driver ICs or relay coils.

Use Value: −65 V V_CEO withstands load-dump transients; −250 mV V_CE(sat) keeps power dissipation below 25 mW during 100 ms actuation pulses.

Use Scenario: Amplifying low-level thermistor voltage outputs (0.5–4.5 V) before ADC sampling in engine control units.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier stage providing 10× gain with <2 dB noise figure at 1 kHz.

Use Value: Stable h_FE over −40 °C to +125 °C ensures consistent gain calibration; 100 MHz f_T prevents bandwidth limitation in 10 kHz sensor bandwidth.

LED Brake Light Driver

Body Control Module Logic Interface

Use Scenario: Driving high-brightness red LEDs (20–30 mA each) in rear lighting clusters with PWM dimming.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch controlling LED anode connection to battery rail; base driven by MCU GPIO.

Use Value: −100 mA I_C rating supports up to 3 parallel LEDs; 125–250 h_FE allows direct 5 mA GPIO drive without base resistor recalibration.

Use Scenario: Level-shifting and inverting signals between 3.3 V microcontrollers and 5 V legacy CAN transceivers or LIN drivers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Inverter buffer with rail-to-rail swing, configured as common-emitter with pull-up resistor.

Use Value: −5 V V_EBO ensures immunity to ESD events on LIN bus lines; SC-70 size fits dense BCU routing near connector interfaces.

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-Q	V_CEO = −45 V (vs. −65 V); same h_FE (125–250) and package	Not suitable for 24 V systems with >45 V transients; acceptable in 12 V infotainment subsystems	Select only if system V_MAX ≤ 40 V and cost sensitivity outweighs margin needs
BC846AW-Q	NPN complement; identical h_FE, package, and AEC-Q101 rating but opposite polarity	Requires circuit topology change (e.g., low-side vs. high-side switching); not drop-in	Choose when redesign permits NPN-based active-low control or when sourcing from common-emitter node is preferred

Compared with BC856AW-Q, BC857AW-Q trades 20 V of collector-emitter standoff for identical gain and thermal behavior - limiting its use in 24 V commercial vehicle ECUs. BC846AW-Q offers functional symmetry but mandates board-level polarity reversal, increasing layout risk in mixed-signal modules.

Availability

BC856AW-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive door modules, engine coolant sensor interfaces, LED brake light drivers, and body control module logic interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for BC856AW-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 advanced packaging.

The BC856AW-Q belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor family, engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained automotive signal switching and amplification functions where robustness and consistency are non-negotiable.

FAQ

Is BC856AW-Q pin-compatible with BC846AW-Q?

No - BC856AW-Q is a PNP transistor with pinout Base-Emitter-Collector (1-2-3), while BC846AW-Q is an NPN device with identical SOT323 physical layout but reversed internal polarity. Swapping them without circuit revision causes functional failure due to inverted current flow direction and bias requirements.

What is the maximum allowable PCB copper thickness for thermal performance validation?

The published R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W assumes FR4 with 35 µm (1 oz) copper on a single side. Using thicker copper (e.g., 70 µm) improves heat spreading but does not linearly reduce thermal resistance; actual improvement depends on pad geometry and adjacent copper area, and must be validated via thermal simulation or measurement.

Does BC856AW-Q support pulsed operation beyond 100 mA?

Yes - peak collector current I_CM is rated at −200 mA under pulsed conditions (tp ≤ 300 µs, duty cycle ≤ 2 %). This enables short-duration surge handling in motor stall detection or fault-current limiting, provided average power remains within 200 mW and junction temperature stays ≤150 °C.

How does the marking code "3A%" correlate to BC856AW-Q?

"3A%" is the top-side laser marking for BC856AW-Q, where "3A" identifies the device variant and "%" is a placeholder for the manufacturing site code (e.g., "3A1" for Nijmegen, Netherlands). This matches Table 5 in the official Nexperia datasheet Rev. 2 (July 2023) and is used for traceability and counterfeit prevention.

BC856AW-QX 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:: Automotive

Qualification:: AEC-Q101

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: SOT-323

BC856AW-QX FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC856AW-QX through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC856AW-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 BC856AW-QX reliable?

The price and inventory of BC856AW-QX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC856AW-QX is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC856AW-QX?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC856AW-QX transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC856AW-QX?

BC856AW-QX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC856AW-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 BC856AW-QX?

For technical support, including BC856AW-QX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC856AW-QX requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC856AW-QX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC856AW-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 BC856AW-QX meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC856AW-QX?

All BC856AW-QX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC856AW-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 BC856AW-QX part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC856AW-QX:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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