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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC856BW/ZLF

Name: BC856BW/ZLF
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC856BW/ZLF
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC856BW/ZLF

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: SC-70, SOT-323

Datasheet:: BC856BW/ZLF.pdf

Description:: TRANS SOT323

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:8,237

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Product details

Overview

BC856BW/ZLF from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in SOT323 (SC-70) surface-mount package, rated for −65 V V_CEO, −100 mA I_C, and DC current gain (h_FE) of 220–475 at V_CE = −5 V, I_C = −2 mA. It serves as a low-power switching or linear amplification device in compact consumer, industrial, and communication signal-path circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC856BW/ZLF datasheet, BC856BW/ZLF pinout, BC856BW/ZLF application, or BC856BW/ZLF equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, validated SOT323 terminal mapping, confirmed use cases in level-shifting and load switching, and two functionally aligned alternatives with documented h_FE and voltage rating differences.

Technical Context

This PNP BJT operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with fixed polarity biasing-base-emitter forward-biased and base-collector reverse-biased for amplification, or both junctions forward-biased for saturation switching. Its low thermal resistance (R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W on FR4) supports operation up to 150 °C junction temperature.

It exhibits typical f_T = 100 MHz at V_CE = −5 V, I_C = −10 mA, enabling audio-frequency and low-speed digital signal handling. Saturation voltages are specified at two drive conditions: V_CE(sat) ≤ −250 mV (I_C = −100 mA, I_B = −5 mA) and ≤ −600 mV (I_C = −10 mA, I_B = −0.5 mA), confirming robust low-loss switching capability.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	−65 V - Maximum allowable collector-emitter voltage with open base; defines safe operating range in high-side switch or amplifier configurations.
I_C	−100 mA - Continuous DC collector current rating; sets upper limit for load-driving capability in linear or switching modes.
h_FE	220–475 at V_CE = −5 V, I_C = −2 mA - Confirmed DC current gain band; enables predictable base drive sizing for stable biasing.
V_CE(sat)	≤ −250 mV at I_C = −100 mA, I_B = −5 mA - Low saturation voltage ensures minimal power loss and heat generation during ON-state operation.
V_BE(sat)	≤ −850 mV at I_C = −100 mA, I_B = −5 mA - Validated base-emitter saturation voltage; critical for calculating required base resistor in switch designs.
f_T	100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms usable bandwidth for audio and sub-MHz digital signal amplification or buffering.
P_tot	200 mW at T_amb ≤ 25 °C - Total power dissipation limit on standard FR4 PCB; constrains thermal design margin in dense layouts.

Pinout & Package

SOT323 (SC-70) plastic surface-mounted package: 1.35 mm × 1.75 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal configuration with gull-wing leads optimized for reflow soldering per IPC-7351B.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base (B)	Control input node; requires current-limited drive to set operating point in active or saturated region.
2	Emitter (E)	Common reference terminal for PNP topology; connects to higher potential rail in high-side switch applications.
3	Collector (C)	Output current path; sinks current from load to emitter when biased ON; must remain ≤ V_CEO relative to emitter.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Low-voltage PNP switching	Rated for −65 V V_CEO and −80 V V_CBO, supporting reliable operation in 24 V and 48 V supply rails with safety margin.
High-current-gain binning	h_FE = 220–475 (BC856BW grade) ensures consistent base drive requirements across production lots for stable circuit behavior.
Ultra-compact SMT package	SOT323 footprint (1.35 × 1.75 mm) enables high-density PCB layouts in space-constrained portable and IoT devices.
Thermally robust construction	R_th(j-a) = 625 K/W on standard FR4 allows sustained 100 mA operation without forced cooling in ambient ≤ 50 °C.
Low-noise amplification	NF = 2 dB typical at I_C = −200 µA, V_CE = −5 V, RS = 2 kΩ - suitable for pre-amplifier stages in sensor interface circuits.

Applications

Level-Shifting Interface

LED Driver Switch

Use Scenario: Translating logic-level signals between 3.3 V microcontroller outputs and 12 V peripheral inputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP BJT configured as an inverting level shifter with emitter tied to 12 V rail and collector driving the peripheral input.

Use Value: Enables bidirectional voltage domain bridging without external level-shifter ICs, leveraging −65 V V_CEO and low V_CE(sat) for minimal voltage drop.

Use Scenario: Driving a 20 mA indicator LED from a GPIO pin unable to sink sufficient current directly.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch with base driven by GPIO through current-limiting resistor; emitter connected to V_CC, collector to LED anode.

Use Value: Provides reliable ON/OFF control using only one passive component (base resistor), with V_CE(sat) ≤ −250 mV ensuring >95% LED forward voltage utilization.

Audio Pre-Amplifier Stage

Power Supply Enable Control

Use Scenario: Amplifying weak microphone signals in battery-powered voice recorders before ADC sampling.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier with emitter degeneration resistor and collector load; biased in active region for linear gain.

Use Value: Delivers 2 dB typical noise figure and h_FE-stabilized gain at I_C = −2 mA, preserving SNR in low-power analog front-ends.

Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling a downstream 5 V LDO regulator via microcontroller command in a multi-rail system.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side enable switch where BC856BW emitter connects to 5 V input, collector to LDO EN pin, base controlled by MCU.

Use Value: Ensures clean, low-leakage enable signaling with I_CBO ≤ −4 µA at 150 °C, preventing unintended regulator activation during sleep states.

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
BC856B,115 (Nexperia)	Same h_FE range (220–475), identical SOT323 package, but marked "BC856B" without /ZLF suffix; RoHS-compliant, no halogen restriction noted.	No functional difference in switching or amplification; identical pinout and thermal profile; suitable for all BC856BW/ZLF use cases.	Select when halogen-free compliance is not mandated and standard RoHS conformance suffices.
MMBT3906LT1G (onsemi)	Lower V_CEO (−40 V vs. −65 V); h_FE = 100–300 (narrower range); same SOT-23 package (slightly larger than SOT323).	Not recommended for 48 V systems or designs requiring >−40 V headroom; acceptable in 3.3/5/12 V logic interfaces where size penalty is acceptable.	Choose only for legacy SOT-23 board compatibility or cost-sensitive 12 V applications where −40 V rating is sufficient.

Compared with BC856BW/ZLF, BC856B,115 offers identical performance and footprint without halogen-free certification, while MMBT3906LT1G trades voltage headroom and gain consistency for broader distributor availability in SOT-23-making BC856BW/ZLF optimal for new designs demanding −65 V rating and SOT323 miniaturization.

Availability

BC856BW/ZLF is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, logic-level translation, audio pre-amplifiers, and power rail enable control requiring stable component supply and guaranteed halogen-free compliance.

Supply support for BC856BW/ZLF 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 leading semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, specializing in high-volume production of discrete components, logic ICs, and MOSFETs with emphasis on reliability and energy efficiency.

The BC856BW belongs to Nexperia's BC856xW series of general-purpose PNP transistors designed specifically for space-constrained, low-power signal switching and amplification in consumer, computing, and industrial electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum junction temperature and thermal resistance of BC856BW/ZLF?

The absolute maximum junction temperature (T_j) is 150 °C. Thermal resistance from junction to ambient (R_th(j-a)) is 625 K/W when mounted on a standard FR4 PCB with single-sided 35 µm copper and tin-plated finish. This value assumes natural convection and defines the worst-case temperature rise under full 200 mW power dissipation.

Does BC856BW/ZLF support automotive-grade applications?

No. BC856BW/ZLF is not AEC-Q101 qualified and is explicitly designated as a non-automotive product in Nexperia's legal disclaimers. It lacks automotive-specific testing for temperature cycling, humidity resistance, and vibration endurance. For automotive use, select Nexperia's Automotive Qualified BC856B-Q series or equivalent AEC-Q101 PNP transistors.

How does the /ZLF suffix affect the device's specifications?

The /ZLF suffix denotes halogen-free and lead-free compliance per Nexperia's environmental standards-specifically, bromine < 900 ppm, chlorine < 900 ppm, and total halogens < 1500 ppm. All electrical and thermal specifications remain identical to non-/ZLF variants like BC856B,115; only material composition differs.

Can BC856BW/ZLF be used in linear amplifier configurations?

Yes. With h_FE = 220–475, V_CE(sat) ≤ −250 mV, and f_T = 100 MHz, it supports Class-A and Class-AB small-signal amplification. Stable operation requires proper biasing (e.g., emitter degeneration), thermal derating above 25 °C, and adherence to V_CEO and P_tot limits-verified in Figures 2–5 of the official datasheet.

BC856BW/ZLF Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: -

Package/Case:: SC-70, SOT-323

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Obsolete

Transistor Type:: -

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: -

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: -

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: -

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: -

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: -

Power - Max:: -

Frequency - Transition:: -

Operating Temperature:: -

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: SOT-323

BC856BW/ZLF FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC856BW/ZLF through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC856BW/ZLF 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 BC856BW/ZLF reliable?

The price and inventory of BC856BW/ZLF are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC856BW/ZLF is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC856BW/ZLF?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC856BW/ZLF transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC856BW/ZLF?

BC856BW/ZLF orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC856BW/ZLF 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 BC856BW/ZLF?

For technical support, including BC856BW/ZLF datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC856BW/ZLF requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC856BW/ZLF is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC856BW/ZLF 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 BC856BW/ZLF meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC856BW/ZLF?

All BC856BW/ZLF units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC856BW/ZLF, 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 BC856BW/ZLF part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC856BW/ZLF:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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