Nexperia USA Inc. BC857BW,115
- Part No.:
- BC857BW,115
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- SC-70, SOT-323
- Datasheet:
-
BC857BW,115.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS PNP 45V 0.1A SOT-323
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:39,173
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Product details
Overview
BC857BW,115 from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT323 (SC-70) package, rated for −45 V VCEO, −100 mA IC, and DC current gain (hFE) of 220–475 at VCE = −5 V and IC = −2 mA. It serves as a low-voltage, low-current switching or amplification device in compact consumer and industrial signal-path circuits.
For engineers reviewing the BC857BW,115 datasheet, BC857BW,115 pinout, BC857BW,115 application, or BC857BW,115 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, terminal roles, thermal limits, real-world use cases, and validated alternatives - all aligned with Nexperia's Rev. 4 (July 2023) product data sheet.
Technical Context
This PNP BJT operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with defined absolute maximum ratings: −45 V collector-emitter voltage (open base), −50 V collector-base voltage (open emitter), and −5 V emitter-base voltage. Its hFE range (220–475) supports predictable biasing in linear amplifiers and digital switches where moderate gain stability is required.
VCE(sat) is specified at −250 mV (typ.) to −600 mV (max.) for IC = −100 mA / IB = −5 mA, enabling low-loss switching in battery-powered logic interfaces. Thermal resistance Rth(j-a) is 625 K/W on FR4 PCB, confirming suitability for thermally constrained SMT layouts.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | −45 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage under open-base condition; defines upper rail limit in PNP switch designs. |
| IC | −100 mA - Continuous collector current rating; sets load-driving capacity in small-signal switching applications. |
| hFE | 220–475 at VCE = −5 V, IC = −2 mA - Gain range ensures reliable bias point selection across temperature and production lots. |
| VCE(sat) | −250 to −600 mV at IC = −100 mA, IB = −5 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and heating in ON-state operation. |
| Ptot | 200 mW at Tamb ≤ 25 °C - Power dissipation limit on standard FR4 PCB; constrains usable IC×VCE product in continuous mode. |
| fT | 100 MHz - Transition frequency confirms usability up to audio and low-MHz RF preamplifier stages. |
| Rth(j-a) | 625 K/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance on single-sided FR4; informs derating requirements above 25 °C ambient. |
Pinout & Package
SOT323 (SC-70) surface-mount plastic package: 1.35 mm × 1.15 mm footprint, 0.95 mm height, 3-terminal configuration with gull-wing leads optimized for reflow soldering.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Control terminal; requires current-limited drive to achieve target IC; polarity-sensitive for PNP turn-on (negative relative to emitter). |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Current source terminal; connected to higher potential rail in common-emitter configurations; establishes reference for VBE and VCE. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Current sink terminal; carries load current to ground or lower-potential node; voltage swing limited by VCEO rating. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low-voltage PNP switching | Rated for −45 V VCEO, enabling use in 3.3 V/5 V logic-level interface circuits with rail-referenced loads. |
| High-current-gain binning | hFE = 220–475 (BC857BW grade) provides tighter gain distribution than standard BC857W (125–800), improving circuit predictability. |
| Ultra-small SMT footprint | SOT323 package occupies <1.6 mm² PCB area - critical for space-constrained wearables, sensor nodes, and portable electronics. |
| Low saturation voltage | VCE(sat) ≤ −600 mV at full 100 mA load ensures minimal voltage drop and heat generation in ON-state switching. |
| Thermally characterized | Rth(j-a) = 625 K/W measured on standard FR4 - enables accurate junction temperature estimation without custom thermal modeling. |
Applications
| LED Driver Circuit | Level-Shifting Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Driving a 20 mA indicator LED from a 3.3 V microcontroller GPIO pin with active-low control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch configured in common-emitter mode, sinking current from LED anode to VCC when base is pulled low. Use Value: VCE(sat) ≤ −600 mV ensures >2.7 V remains across LED for reliable illumination; hFE ≥ 220 allows GPIO to drive base with <100 µA. |
Use Scenario: Translating a 1.8 V logic signal to a 5 V domain while preserving inversion logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP level shifter with emitter tied to 5 V, base driven by 1.8 V source through resistor, collector output pulled up to 5 V. Use Value: −45 V VCEO and −50 V VCBO prevent breakdown during rail transitions; fT = 100 MHz supports rise/fall times <5 ns. |
| Audio Preamp Stage | Power Sequencing Control |
|
Use Scenario: Low-noise voltage amplifier stage for electret microphone output in portable audio devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier biased in active region, providing mid-band voltage gain with minimal distortion. Use Value: NF = 2–10 dB at 1 kHz enables clean signal amplification; hFE consistency reduces gain variance across units. |
Use Scenario: Enabling/disabling a 3.3 V LDO supply based on system reset signal in embedded controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side switch controlling LDO EN pin; base driven by open-drain reset line pulled up to 3.3 V. Use Value: −100 mA IC rating exceeds typical EN pin leakage; −5 V VEBO withstands reverse-bias during power-down sequencing. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC857B,215 | Same hFE bin (220–475), identical SOT323 package, but marked "3B" and shipped in tape-and-reel per EIA-481-D standard. | No functional difference; differs only in packaging format and reel orientation - suitable for automated SMT placement. | Select when requiring standard 7″ tape-and-reel delivery compatible with pick-and-place feeders. |
| MMBT3906LT1G | Higher VCEO (−40 V vs. −45 V), wider hFE range (100–300), same SOT23 package - not pin-compatible with SOT323. | Requires PCB footprint redesign; offers lower cost but reduced gain consistency and slightly lower voltage margin. | Choose only if SOT23 layout exists and gain tolerance >100 is acceptable; not drop-in for BC857BW,115. |
Compared with BC857BW,115, BC857B,215 delivers identical electrical performance in a different reel format, while MMBT3906LT1G trades gain precision and voltage headroom for broader industry availability - making the former ideal for volume SMT builds and the latter a fallback when SOT323 sourcing is constrained.
Availability
BC857BW,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, level-shifting interfaces, audio preamplifier stages, and power sequencing control requiring stable component supply and consistent hFE binning.
Supply support for BC857BW,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 - including logic, discrete, MOSFETs, and analog devices - with manufacturing rooted in process efficiency and automotive-grade quality systems.
The BC857BW belongs to Nexperia's BC856W/BC857W/BC858W family of general-purpose PNP transistors, engineered for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications demanding predictable gain, low saturation voltage, and robust SMT manufacturability.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable collector-emitter voltage for BC857BW,115?
The absolute maximum collector-emitter voltage (VCEO) for BC857BW,115 is −45 V under open-base conditions, as confirmed in Table 6 (Limiting Values) of Nexperia's Rev. 4 datasheet. Exceeding this value risks permanent junction breakdown, even momentarily.
Does BC857BW,115 have the same pinout as BC847BW?
Yes - both BC857BW,115 and BC847BW use the SOT323 package with identical pin 1 (Base), pin 2 (Emitter), pin 3 (Collector) assignment, as shown in Table 3 (Pinning information). However, they are complementary PNP/NPN devices and must not be substituted without circuit analysis.
How does the hFE binning of BC857BW differ from BC857W?
BC857BW specifies hFE = 220–475 at VCE = −5 V and IC = −2 mA, whereas standard BC857W spans 125–800. The 'B' suffix denotes tighter gain grouping, reducing design margin uncertainty in bias-critical linear amplifiers and precision switches.
Can BC857BW,115 be used in automotive applications?
No - BC857BW,115 is not automotive-qualified. Nexperia's legal disclaimers explicitly state that unless designated "AEC-Q101 qualified" in the datasheet, the part is unsuitable for safety-critical or automotive environments. This device lacks extended temperature validation and stress testing per AEC standards.
BC857BW,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):
- 45 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 600mV @ 5mA, 100mA
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 15nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 220 @ 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
BC857BW,115 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC857BW,115 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC857BW,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 BC857BW,115 reliable?
The price and inventory of BC857BW,115 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC857BW,115 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC857BW,115?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC857BW,115 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC857BW,115?
BC857BW,115 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC857BW,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 BC857BW,115?
For technical support, including BC857BW,115 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC857BW,115 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC857BW,115 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC857BW,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 BC857BW,115 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC857BW,115?
All BC857BW,115 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC857BW,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 BC857BW,115 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC857BW,115:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC857BW,115 Tags

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