Nexperia USA Inc. BCP55,115

Overview

BCP55,115 from Nexperia is an NPN medium-power bipolar junction transistor in SOT223 (SC-73) package, rated for 60 V V_CEO, 1 A continuous collector current, and 1.35 W total power dissipation with optimized thermal pad layout. It serves as a low-side switch or MOSFET driver in battery-powered linear regulators and power management circuits where moderate gain and robust pulsed current handling (2 A peak) are required.

For engineers reviewing the BCP55,115 datasheet, BCP55,115 pinout, BCP55,115 application, or BCP55,115 equivalent, this device is selected for discrete power switching roles requiring verified h_FE range (63–250 at I_C = 150 mA), low V_CE(sat) (≤0.5 V @ I_C/I_B = 10), and thermal performance validated on FR4 PCBs with collector pad areas up to 6 cm².

Technical Context

The BCP55,115 operates as a silicon NPN BJT with fixed emitter-base and collector-base junction structures, supporting DC and pulsed switching up to 100 MHz f_T. Its design targets stable current amplification across –55 °C to 150 °C junction temperature, with base-emitter breakdown voltage of 5 V and collector-emitter breakdown of 60 V under open-base conditions.

Thermal behavior is defined by three R_th(j-a) values (192 K/W standard footprint, 125 K/W 1 cm² pad, 93 K/W 6 cm² pad), and R_th(j-sp) of 16 K/W, enabling predictable derating in compact power stages. The dual-collector pin configuration (pins 2 and 4) supports enhanced heatsinking without external copper stitching.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT223 (SC-73) surface-mount plastic package with four leads: two collector terminals (pins 2 and 4) for thermal enhancement, one base (pin 1), and one emitter (pin 3). The package features an extended copper tab for direct PCB heatsinking and complies with JEITA SC-73 outline dimensions (7.3 × 3.7 × 1.8 mm).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BCP54,115 and ZTX653, the BCP55,115 uniquely combines 60 V rating, dual-collector thermal design, and 1.35 W dissipation-making it the only option among the three capable of sustaining 1 A continuously in compact SMT power stages without auxiliary cooling.

Availability

BCP55,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for linear voltage regulators, low-side switches, MOSFET drivers, and battery-driven devices requiring stable component supply, consistent parametric binning, and long-term production continuity.

Supply support for BCP55,115 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, discretes, MOSFETs, and ESD protection-designed for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The BCP55 series belongs to Nexperia's medium-power bipolar transistor product line, engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective discrete switching and amplification in space-constrained power management systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum DC base current is 0.3 A, as specified in Table 6 (Limiting Values). For reliable long-term operation, base current should be limited to ≤50 mA in typical switching applications to maintain h_FE stability and prevent localized heating at the base-emitter junction. Derating is required above Tamb = 25 °C per the thermal curves in Figure 1.

Can pins 2 and 4 be used independently as separate collectors?

No-pins 2 and 4 are internally connected to the same collector region and must be soldered to the same PCB net. Using them separately violates the package construction and compromises thermal performance, current rating, and reliability. The dual-pin design exists solely to improve thermal conduction and mechanical anchoring, not functional isolation.

Is the BCP55,115 qualified for automotive applications?

No-the BCP55 series is explicitly marked as non-automotive qualified in the revision history (Section 13). It lacks AEC-Q101 qualification, automotive-grade process controls, and extended temperature validation beyond 150 °C junction. For automotive use, Nexperia offers the BCP55-Q series, which undergoes additional stress testing and screening.

How does the h_FE variation affect base resistor selection in a switch design?

With h_FE ranging from 63 to 250 at I_C = 150 mA, base resistors must be sized for worst-case minimum gain to ensure saturation. For example, driving 500 mA load requires ≥7.9 mA base current (500 mA ÷ 63), demanding ≤420 Ω pull-up from a 5 V source-while still allowing margin for V_BE drop and temperature drift.