Nexperia USA Inc. BC857C-QVL
- Part No.:
- BC857C-QVL
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BC857C-QVL.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS PNP 45V 0.1A TO-236AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
BC857C-Q from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, designed for low-voltage switching and linear amplification at ≤45 V VCEO, ≤100 mA IC, with hFE = 420–800 at VCE = −5 V and IC = −2 mA. It is AEC-Q101 qualified and used in automotive body control modules for load switching.
For engineers reviewing the BC857C-Q datasheet, BC857C-Q pinout, BC857C-Q application, or BC857C-Q equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal limits, automotive qualification status, SOT23 footprint details, and direct substitution guidance - all grounded in Nexperia's Rev. 2 (2022) product data sheet.
Technical Context
This device operates as a discrete PNP BJT with fixed emitter-base and collector-base junctions, requiring external base current control to regulate collector current flow. Its DC current gain exhibits strong dependence on IC and temperature, ranging from 420–800 at 2 mA and 25 °C, and dropping to ~600 at 150 °C per Fig. 10.
It supports pulsed operation up to 200 mA ICM and maintains VCE(sat) ≤ −650 mV at IC = −100 mA / IB = −5 mA, while VBE(sat) reaches −850 mV under same conditions - confirming suitability for saturated-switching topologies with predictable turn-on voltage drop.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | −45 V: Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with open base; defines upper rail limit in PNP switch configurations. |
| IC | −100 mA continuous: Absolute max DC collector current; sets load-driving capacity in relay drivers or LED sinks. |
| hFE | 420–800 @ VCE = −5 V, IC = −2 mA: High, tightly binned DC gain enables stable biasing with minimal base drive overhead. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤ −650 mV @ IC = −100 mA, IB = −5 mA: Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and heating in high-duty-cycle switches. |
| Ptot | 250 mW @ Tamb ≤ 25 °C on FR4 PCB: Thermal dissipation limit governs maximum safe power handling without heatsinking. |
| Rth(j-a) | 500 K/W: Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance determines temperature rise per watt; critical for ambient-limited designs. |
| AEC-Q101 | Qualified: Meets stress-test requirements for automotive electronics, enabling use in non-safety-critical vehicle subsystems. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23 (TO-236AB) surface-mount plastic package: 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 1.1 mm height, standard reflow-compatible outline per Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Current-controlled input node; requires series resistor to limit IB and ensure saturation or linear operation. |
| 2 | Emitter (E) | Common terminal tied to higher potential (e.g., VCC) in PNP switch; carries full load current. |
| 3 | Collector (C) | Output node connected to load; voltage swings between near-VCC (off) and < 0.7 V below emitter (on). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive environments including temperature cycling, humidity, and mechanical shock per standard. |
| High hFE bin (C-grade) | Guaranteed 420–800 gain ensures consistent switching thresholds and reduced base drive variability across production lots. |
| Low VCE(sat) | ≤ −650 mV at rated current enables efficient power switching with < 65 mW conduction loss at 100 mA. |
| SOT23 package | Standardized 3-pin SMD outline supports automated placement, reflow soldering, and board-space-constrained layouts. |
| −5 V VBE rating | Emitter-base breakdown at −5 V allows safe reverse-bias operation in level-shifting or protection circuits. |
Applications
| Automotive Door Module | Industrial Sensor Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Driving small solenoids and indicator LEDs in door lock/unlock assemblies. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch controlling 12 V loads with microcontroller GPIO-level base drive. Use Value: AEC-Q101 compliance ensures reliability over 15-year vehicle life; low VCE(sat) reduces heat buildup in sealed modules. |
Use Scenario: Level-shifting and signal inversion between 3.3 V logic and 24 V field sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete inverter stage providing rail-to-rail output swing and noise margin. Use Value: Tight hFE binning ensures predictable switching thresholds; SOT23 footprint eases integration into dense sensor nodes. |
| Consumer Appliance Control | Medical Diagnostic Equipment |
|
Use Scenario: Powering buzzer alerts and status LEDs in washing machine control boards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: General-purpose load switch activated by MCU outputs during fault or mode transitions. Use Value: 100 mA rating matches typical buzzer/LED string requirements; −45 V VCEO accommodates transient spikes on shared supply rails. |
Use Scenario: Isolating and buffering analog front-end signals in portable diagnostic devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Linear amplifier stage for low-noise signal conditioning before ADC sampling. Use Value: NF = 2–10 dB at 1 kHz supports precision low-frequency measurement; low leakage (ICBO ≤ −4 µA at 150 °C) preserves accuracy in thermally variable enclosures. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC847C-Q | NPN complement; identical hFE bin (420–800), same SOT23 package, but opposite polarity. | Requires inverted logic drive and reversed supply topology; unsuitable where PNP sourcing is mandatory. | Select only when circuit architecture permits NPN implementation and base drive is referenced to ground. |
| MMBT3906LT1G | hFE = 100–300 (lower and wider spread); VCEO = −40 V; not AEC-Q101 qualified. | Lacks automotive qualification and tighter gain binning; acceptable for commercial-grade consumer products only. | Choose for cost-sensitive non-automotive designs where gain consistency and qualification are not required. |
Compared with BC857C-Q, BC847C-Q enables complementary NPN use but demands redesign of biasing and supply paths, while MMBT3906LT1G offers lower cost and broader availability but sacrifices automotive reliability assurance and gain uniformity.
Availability
BC857C-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, and consumer appliance control requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and AEC-Q101-compliant parts.
Supply support for BC857C-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 essential efficiency technologies, delivering high-performance, reliable discrete and logic devices.
BC857C-Q belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose transistor family, engineered for robustness in automotive and industrial environments where reliability, thermal stability, and consistent gain performance are critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable collector-emitter voltage for BC857C-Q?
The absolute maximum collector-emitter voltage (VCEO) is −45 V with open base, as specified in Table 2 and Table 6 of the Nexperia datasheet Rev. 2. Exceeding this value risks permanent junction breakdown, especially under transient conditions or elevated temperature.
Is BC857C-Q suitable for linear amplification applications?
Yes - its hFE of 420–800 at low IC (2 mA), low noise figure (2–10 dB), and stable VBE characteristics (Fig. 11) support low-distortion small-signal amplification, particularly in battery-powered sensor front-ends where gain consistency matters.
How does the SOT23 package affect thermal performance?
Mounted on standard FR4 PCB, the SOT23 package delivers Rth(j-a) = 500 K/W (Table 7), meaning a 250 mW dissipation causes ~125 °C junction rise above ambient. Derating is required above 25 °C ambient to stay within the 150 °C Tj limit.
What marking code identifies BC857C-Q on the device body?
BC857C-Q is marked with "3G%", where "%" is a placeholder for the manufacturing site code (Table 5). This distinguishes it from BC857-Q ("3H%") and BC857B-Q ("3F%"), enabling visual verification of gain bin and product variant.
BC857C-QVL Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- 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:
- 650mV @ 5mA, 100mA
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 15nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 420 @ 2mA, 5V
- Power - Max:
- 250 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 100MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-236AB
BC857C-QVL FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BC857C-QVL through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC857C-QVL 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 BC857C-QVL reliable?
The price and inventory of BC857C-QVL are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC857C-QVL is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BC857C-QVL?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC857C-QVL transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BC857C-QVL?
BC857C-QVL orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BC857C-QVL 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 BC857C-QVL?
For technical support, including BC857C-QVL datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC857C-QVL requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BC857C-QVL is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BC857C-QVL 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 BC857C-QVL meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC857C-QVL?
All BC857C-QVL units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC857C-QVL, 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 BC857C-QVL part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BC857C-QVL:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BC857C-QVL Tags

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MMBT3906-7-F
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MMBTA06LT1G
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