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

Nexperia USA Inc. BC868,115

Name: BC868,115
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BC868,115
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BC868,115

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-243AA

Datasheet:: BC868,115.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 20V 1A SOT-89

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:9,866

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Product details

Overview

BC868,115 from Nexperia is a 20 V, 2 A NPN medium power transistor in SOT89 (SC-62) package, designed for linear voltage regulation, MOSFET gate driving, and low-side switching in battery-powered systems. It delivers 3 A peak collector current, supports 1.35 W total power dissipation with optimized PCB mounting, and offers h_FE of 85–375 at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 500 mA.

For engineers reviewing the BC868,115 datasheet, BC868,115 pinout, BC868,115 application, or BC868,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 20 V V_CEO, 2 A continuous I_C, SOT89 thermal performance on FR4 PCBs, and suitability for DC-DC pre-regulators and load-switching circuits requiring stable gain and low V_CE(sat).

Technical Context

The BC868,115 operates as a silicon NPN bipolar junction transistor with open-base V_CEO rated at 20 V and V_CBO at 32 V, enabling use in 12 V rail interfaces and intermediate-voltage switching stages. Its pulsed I_CM of 3 A supports short-duration surge handling in motor drive enable paths and hot-swap controllers.

Thermal design relies on junction-to-ambient resistance ranging from 93 K/W (6 cm² collector pad) to 250 K/W (standard footprint), directly linking PCB layout to safe operating area. The device's f_T of 40–170 MHz confirms suitability for audio-frequency amplification and PWM-driven switching below 100 kHz.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	20 V - Maximum sustainable collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines upper rail limit for low-side switch operation.
I_C	2 A - Continuous DC collector current; sets steady-state load capacity in regulators and drivers.
h_FE	85–375 - DC current gain at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 500 mA; determines required base drive for saturation in switching applications.
V_CE(sat)	0.5–0.6 V - Collector-emitter saturation voltage at I_C = 2 A, I_B = 200 mA; directly impacts conduction loss and thermal rise in power paths.
P_tot	1.35 W - Total power dissipation with 6 cm² copper pad; establishes maximum thermal load under continuous operation.
f_T	40–170 MHz - Transition frequency at V_CE = 5 V, I_C = 50 mA; confirms usable bandwidth for analog amplification and fast switching control.

Pinout & Package

SOT89 (SC-62) plastic surface-mount package: 4.5 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm body, 1.5 mm lead pitch, integrated heat-dissipating tab (pin 2, collector) for enhanced thermal transfer to PCB copper.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Emitter	Reference node for current return path; connects to ground or low-side reference in switching topologies.
2	Collector	Main power output terminal and thermal interface; soldered to large copper area for heat extraction.
3	Base	Control input for bipolar current amplification; requires current-limited drive to ensure reliable turn-on/turn-off.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
High I_C/I_CM capability	2 A continuous / 3 A pulsed enables robust load switching without external current limiting in compact designs.
Multiple h_FE variants	BC868 (85–375) and BC868-25 (160–375) allow precise base drive optimization across production batches and temperature ranges.
Low V_CE(sat)	0.5 V typical at 2 A ensures ≤1 W conduction loss, reducing heatsink requirements in space-constrained regulators.
Thermally enhanced SOT89	Collector tab enables direct thermal coupling to PCB; R_th(j-a) drops to 93 K/W with 6 cm² copper, supporting >1 W sustained dissipation.

Applications

Linear Voltage Regulators

MOSFET Drivers

Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable LDO or series regulator supplying 3.3 V/1.8 V rails from 5–12 V sources.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN pass element controlling output voltage via emitter-follower configuration with feedback network.

Use Value: 20 V V_CEO accommodates input headroom up to 12 V; 2 A I_C supports ≥1.5 A load current with margin.

Use Scenario: Gate driver stage for discrete N-channel MOSFETs in half-bridge or synchronous buck converters.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side level-shifting switch providing fast turn-on current to charge MOSFET gate capacitance.

Use Value: 3 A I_CM handles 1–2 A peak gate drive pulses; 170 MHz f_T ensures sub-100 ns switching transitions.

Low-Side Switches

Battery-Driven Devices

Use Scenario: Load switch controlling power to peripherals (LEDs, sensors, USB ports) in portable instrumentation.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ground-referenced switching element activated by microcontroller GPIO through current-limiting resistor.

Use Value: 0.5 V V_CE(sat) minimizes dropout voltage and extends battery runtime; SOT89 footprint simplifies layout in dense PCBs.

Use Scenario: Power management in handheld medical monitors, barcode scanners, and wireless sensor nodes.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary switching transistor in boost converter feedback loop or battery protection circuitry.

Use Value: -55 °C to +150 °C operating range supports industrial-grade battery operation; 5 V V_EBO prevents base-emitter breakdown during reverse-polarity events.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN medium power transistor applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
BC869,115	NPN complement with identical V_CEO (20 V), I_C (2 A), and SOT89 package but lower h_FE (40–250).	Used where reduced gain improves stability in high-gain amplifier stages or where tighter h_FE tolerance is required.	Select when lower current gain reduces risk of oscillation in feedback loops or when matching with BC868-25 in push-pull pairs.
ZTX653	Higher V_CEO (60 V), same I_C (2 A), TO-92 package, higher V_CE(sat) (0.8 V at 2 A).	Preferred in 24 V industrial controls where BC868's 20 V rating is insufficient, despite larger footprint and worse thermal resistance.	Choose only when system voltage exceeds 20 V; avoid in space-constrained or thermally sensitive designs due to TO-92 limitations.

Compared with BC868,115, BC869,115 trades gain for improved consistency in amplifier biasing, while ZTX653 sacrifices thermal efficiency and board area for higher voltage headroom-neither offers drop-in compatibility due to gain or package mismatch.

Availability

BC868,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for linear voltage regulators, MOSFET drivers, and low-side switches requiring stable component supply, consistent parametric performance, and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for BC868,115 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 discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified and industrial-grade components.

The BC868 series belongs to Nexperia's medium-power bipolar transistor product line, engineered for cost-sensitive yet thermally demanding applications in power management and interface circuits where SOT89's thermal performance outperforms smaller packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation of BC868,115?

The BC868,115 supports ambient temperatures from –55 °C to +150 °C per its absolute maximum ratings. However, continuous operation at full 2 A I_C requires derating above 25 °C: at 75 °C ambient, maximum usable I_C drops to ~1.3 A with a 6 cm² collector pad, based on the 93 K/W R_th(j-a) curve and 150 °C T_j limit.

Can BC868,115 be used in avalanche mode?

No-BC868,115 is not rated or characterized for avalanche operation. Its V_CEO = 20 V is an absolute maximum rating under open-base conditions; exceeding this voltage risks permanent damage. For energy-clamping applications, purpose-designed avalanche-rated transistors like the MJD122 should be selected instead.

How does the BC868-25 variant differ electrically from BC868,115?

BC868-25 guarantees minimum h_FE of 160 at V_CE = 1 V and I_C = 500 mA, versus 85 for standard BC868. Both share identical V_CEO, I_C, V_CE(sat), and package. The -25 suffix denotes tighter DC current gain binning, reducing base drive variability in production-critical switching circuits.

Is BC868,115 qualified for automotive applications?

No-BC868,115 is explicitly marked as non-automotive qualified in Nexperia's revision history (Rev. 9, July 2023). It lacks AEC-Q101 qualification, automotive-grade screening, and extended temperature validation. For automotive use, Nexperia recommends the BC868-Q series, which undergoes full AEC-Q101 stress testing and supports the same electrical specifications.

BC868,115 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-243AA

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

Transistor Type:: NPN

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 1 A

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 20 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 500mV @ 100mA, 1A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 100nA (ICBO)

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 85 @ 500mA, 1V

Power - Max:: 1.2 W

Frequency - Transition:: 170MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: SOT-89

BC868,115 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BC868,115 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BC868,115 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 BC868,115 reliable?

The price and inventory of BC868,115 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BC868,115 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BC868,115?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BC868,115 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BC868,115?

BC868,115 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BC868,115 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 BC868,115?

For technical support, including BC868,115 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BC868,115 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BC868,115 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BC868,115 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 BC868,115 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BC868,115?

All BC868,115 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BC868,115, 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 BC868,115 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BC868,115:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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