Nexperia USA Inc. BC860B,215

Overview

BC860B,215 from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in SOT23 package, rated for −45 V V_CEO, −50 V V_CBO, and −100 mA I_C, with DC current gain h_FE of 220–475 at −2 mA/−5 V. It serves as an amplifying or switching element in low-noise audio input stages and signal conditioning circuits requiring compact, cost-effective discrete gain.

For engineers reviewing the BC860B,215 datasheet, BC860B,215 pinout, BC860B,215 application, or BC860B,215 equivalent, key selection criteria include its PNP polarity, SOT23 thermal resistance (500 K/W), −45 V collector-emitter breakdown, 4 dB noise figure at 1 kHz, and complementary pairing with BC850 NPN transistors in differential or push-pull configurations.

Technical Context

This transistor operates in active, saturation, and cutoff regions with defined V_BEsat (−700 mV typ. at −10 mA/−0.5 mA) and V_CEsat (−75 mV typ. at same conditions). Its f_T of 100 MHz supports audio-frequency amplification up to ~10 kHz with stable gain roll-off.

Thermal performance is specified for FR4 PCB mounting (R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W), and junction temperature is limited to 150 °C. Cutoff currents are tightly controlled: ICBO ≤ −15 nA at −30 V V_CB, and IEBO ≤ −100 nA at −5 V V_EB.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 plastic surface-mounted package (TO-236AB), 3-lead, dimensions per JEDEC outline: 2.9 × 1.3 × 1.0 mm (L × W × H), with 0.95 mm lead pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BC860B,215, BC857B,215 offers tighter h_FE control for stable biasing, while MMBT3906LT1G trades voltage headroom and gain for broader distributor availability - making BC860B,215 optimal for audio-grade designs needing both noise performance and −45 V robustness.

Availability

BC860B,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio input amplifiers, level-shifting interfaces, differential pair amplifiers, and low-power load switches requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial sourcing.

Supply support for BC860B,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 leader in discrete, logic, and PowerMOS semiconductors, formed in 2017 from the former NXP Standard Products division, with focus on automotive, industrial, computing, and consumer markets.

The BC860B,215 belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose bipolar transistor product line, engineered for reliable, low-cost amplification and switching in space- and noise-sensitive analog signal paths.

FAQ

Is BC860B,215 pin-compatible with BC847 or BC857 series?

Yes - BC860B,215 shares identical SOT23 pinout (1=Base, 2=Emitter, 3=Collector) and mechanical footprint with BC847, BC857, and BC859 series. However, it is a PNP device with −45 V V_CEO, whereas BC847 is NPN; direct substitution requires polarity reversal in circuit layout.

What is the maximum allowable power dissipation at 70 °C ambient?

At T_amb = 70 °C, derated power dissipation is 150 mW, calculated using R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W and T_j(max) = 150 °C: P_tot = (150 − 70) / 500 = 0.16 W. This assumes FR4 PCB mounting without copper pour enhancement.

Does BC860B,215 support operation at 150 °C junction temperature?

Yes - the datasheet specifies T_j(max) = 150 °C and T_stg = −65 to +150 °C. Operation at full 150 °C requires strict thermal design: ambient must be ≤ 25 °C with no additional self-heating, or board-level thermal relief (e.g., thermal vias, copper area) must be implemented.

Can BC860B,215 replace BC860C in existing designs?

Yes, with gain trade-off: BC860B has h_FE = 220–475 vs. BC860C's 420–800. Circuits relying on minimum h_FE ≥ 420 may experience reduced loop gain or increased base drive requirements; verify bias stability and saturation margin under worst-case conditions.