Nexperia USA Inc. BC857C,215

Overview

BC857C,215 from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, designed for low-voltage switching and small-signal amplification at up to −45 V V_CEO, −100 mA I_C, and h_FE = 420–800 at V_CE = −5 V, I_C = −2 mA. It serves as an active-level inverter or current amplifier in discrete logic interfaces and sensor biasing circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BC857C,215 datasheet, BC857C,215 pinout, BC857C,215 application, or BC857C,215 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, SOT23 terminal mapping, real-world use cases in level-shifting and load switching, and validated alternative transistors with documented gain and voltage trade-offs.

Technical Context

This PNP BJT operates in active or saturation mode with fixed polarity: emitter supplies current to collector under base control. Its DC current gain (h_FE) is binned to 420–800 at −2 mA collector current, enabling predictable biasing in linear and switching configurations without external feedback.

Voltage limits are defined by absolute maximum ratings: −45 V V_CEO, −50 V V_CBO, and −5 V V_EBO. Thermal resistance R_th(j-a) is 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB, supporting continuous operation up to 150 °C junction temperature with appropriate board layout.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads; 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm footprint, 0.45 mm lead pitch, and 0.9 mm height. Standard reflow soldering footprint per Fig. 15.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC857C,215, BC847C enables complementary NPN use but demands redesign of bias and topology, while BC857B reduces base drive sensitivity at the expense of gain stability and noise performance in low-current analog stages.

Availability

BC857C,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED driver circuits, level-shifting interfaces, sensor bias networks, and discrete inverter stages requiring stable component supply, consistent h_FE binning, and SOT23 footprint compatibility.

Supply support for BC857C,215 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 and standard logic solutions.

The BC857 series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose bipolar transistor product line, engineered for cost-effective, space-constrained switching and amplification in consumer, industrial, and computing applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum safe operating voltage for BC857C,215 in a common-emitter switch?

The absolute maximum collector-emitter voltage (V_CEO) is −45 V with open base. For reliable long-term operation, derate to ≤ −36 V under continuous DC conditions per Nexperia's recommended operating guidelines. Exceeding −45 V risks avalanche breakdown and irreversible junction damage.

Can BC857C,215 replace BC857B in an existing design without modification?

Yes, pin-for-pin and package-compatible, but h_FE is higher (420–800 vs. 220–475). This may reduce required base drive current by up to 50%, potentially causing overdrive or faster switching. Verify base resistor values and check for unintended oscillation or overshoot in critical timing paths.

What is the thermal resistance (R_th(j-a)) of BC857C,215 on a standard PCB?

R_th(j-a) is 500 K/W when mounted on a single-sided FR4 PCB with 35 µm copper, tin-plated, and standard SOT23 footprint (per datasheet Table 7). This value assumes no thermal vias or copper pour; adding 2–4 thermal vias under the pad can reduce it to ~200–300 K/W.

Does BC857C,215 have automotive qualification?

No. Per Nexperia's Revision History (Table 11), the BC856/BC857/BC858 family was explicitly changed to non-automotive qualification in Rev. 9 (2022). Automotive-grade alternatives (e.g., BC857C-Q) require separate part numbers and qualification documentation.