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Nexperia USA Inc. BCP68-25/ZLX
- Part No.:
- BCP68-25/ZLX
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-261-4, TO-261AA
- Datasheet:
-
BCP68-25/ZLX.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 20V 2A SOT-223
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,442
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Product details
Overview
BCP68-25/ZLX from Nexperia is an NPN medium power transistor in SOT223 (SC-73) package, rated for 20 V VCEO, 2 A continuous collector current, and 1.35 W total power dissipation on 6 cm² copper pad - used as low-side switch in linear voltage regulators and MOSFET drivers.
For engineers reviewing the BCP68-25/ZLX datasheet, BCP68-25/ZLX pinout, BCP68-25/ZLX application, or BCP68-25/ZLX equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, junction-to-ambient resistance under three PCB mounting conditions, and validated alternative transistors with documented hFE and saturation voltage differences.
Technical Context
This device operates as a silicon NPN bipolar junction transistor optimized for medium-power switching and amplification. Its dual-collector-pin SOT223 package enables enhanced thermal conduction via the extended collector tab, supporting stable operation up to 150 °C junction temperature.
It exhibits pulsed hFE of 160–375 at VCE = 1 V and IC = 500 mA, with VCE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V at IC = 2 A / IB = 200 mA, and fT = 40–170 MHz - confirming suitability for audio amplification and DC-DC control stages requiring fast turn-on/turn-off.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 20 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines upper rail limit in low-side switch designs. |
| IC | 2 A continuous - Sustained load current capability; supports 1.5 A typical MOSFET gate drive pulses. |
| hFE (BCP68-25) | 160–375 at VCE = 1 V, IC = 500 mA - High, tightly binned DC current gain enabling precise base current sizing. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤ 0.6 V at IC = 2 A, IB = 200 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in power management circuits. |
| Ptot | 1.35 W on 6 cm² FR4 copper - Thermal performance directly tied to PCB layout; requires defined heatsink pad area. |
| fT | 40–170 MHz - Transition frequency confirms usable bandwidth for audio-frequency amplification and PWM switching. |
| Rth(j-a) | 93 K/W on 6 cm² pad - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance determines maximum ambient temperature for full-power operation. |
Pinout & Package
SOT223 (SC-73) surface-mount plastic package with four leads: two collector terminals (pins 2 and 4) share internal connection to maximize thermal and current-carrying capacity; base (pin 1) and emitter (pin 3) are single-terminal.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base | Control input; requires ≥200 mA base drive for full 2 A collector conduction with guaranteed VCE(sat). |
| 2 | Collector | Main high-current output node; electrically tied to pin 4 for parallel current handling and thermal spreading. |
| 3 | Emitter | Reference terminal for biasing; connected to ground or low-side return path in switch configurations. |
| 4 | Collector | Second collector terminal; identical function to pin 2 - must be soldered to same copper pour for rated performance. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| High hFE binning (160–375) | Reduces required base drive current by ~3× vs. standard gain transistors, easing microcontroller GPIO sourcing. |
| Dual-collector SOT223 footprint | Enables 1.35 W power dissipation on standard FR4 - eliminates need for discrete heatsinks in space-constrained designs. |
| VCE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V @ 2 A | Limits conduction loss to <1.2 W at full load, improving efficiency in battery-powered linear regulators and motor drivers. |
| 150 °C max junction temperature | Supports operation in industrial ambient environments up to +85 °C when mounted per thermal guidelines. |
| 32 V VCBO rating | Provides 12 V overhead margin for inductive kick suppression in relay and solenoid driver applications. |
Applications
| Linear Voltage Regulators | MOSFET Drivers |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable 3-terminal linear regulator delivering up to 1.8 A at 5 V or 3.3 V. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Medium-power series pass element regulating output voltage via base-controlled collector-emitter conduction. Use Value: Low VCE(sat) reduces dropout voltage and thermal load; high hFE simplifies base bias network design. |
Use Scenario: Gate driver stage for N-channel power MOSFETs in DC-DC buck converters or motor H-bridges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side switch amplifying MCU GPIO output to deliver >1 A peak gate charge current. Use Value: Dual-collector thermal path sustains repeated 2 A pulses without derating; fT ensures fast turn-on/turn-off. |
| Low-Side Switches | Battery-Driven Devices |
Use Scenario: Load switch controlling 12 V automotive accessories or industrial sensors with enable logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-current NPN switch sinking load current to ground upon base activation. Use Value: 20 V VCEO accommodates 12 V nominal systems with transient margin; 3 A ICM handles inrush safely. |
Use Scenario: Power path control in portable medical monitors or handheld test equipment using Li-ion batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Battery disconnect or system enable switch managing main power rail sequencing. Use Value: 1.35 W Ptot on minimal PCB area extends runtime by minimizing resistive losses; -55 °C to +150 °C Tstg/Tj supports wide environmental operation. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCP56-16 | Lower hFE (100–250), same VCEO/IC, 1.25 W Ptot on 6 cm² | Requires higher base drive; less suitable for low-IB microcontrollers | Select when cost sensitivity outweighs gain precision and thermal margin. |
| ZTX653 | Higher VCEO (60 V), lower IC (1 A), 1.0 W Ptot, TO-92 package | Not pin-compatible; limited current and thermal capability vs. SOT223 | Choose only for legacy through-hole designs needing higher voltage headroom. |
Compared with BCP68-25/ZLX, BCP56-16 trades gain and thermal headroom for cost, while ZTX653 sacrifices current and package thermal performance for higher breakdown voltage in non-SMD layouts.
Availability
BCP68-25/ZLX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for linear voltage regulators, MOSFET drivers, and low-side switches requiring stable component supply across industrial, medical, and consumer electronics production programs.
Supply support for BCP68-25/ZLX 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 discrete devices, logic ICs, and MOSFETs - serving automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
The BCP68 series belongs to Nexperia's medium-power bipolar transistor product line, engineered specifically for robust switching and amplification in thermally constrained SMT applications where gain consistency and thermal resilience are critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?
The absolute maximum DC base current is 0.4 A per datasheet limiting values. For reliable long-term operation at 2 A collector current, base current should be maintained at 200 mA - matching the IB condition used to specify VCE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V. Exceeding 0.4 A risks metallization failure or bond wire degradation.
Can BCP68-25/ZLX replace BC817-40 in a 500 mA load switch?
Yes - but with design adjustments. BCP68-25/ZLX offers higher current (2 A vs. 500 mA), higher VCEO (20 V vs. 45 V), and superior thermal capability (1.35 W vs. 0.5 W). However, its SOT223 footprint is not drop-in compatible with BC817-40's SOT23, requiring PCB redesign and revalidation of thermal performance.
How does PCB copper area affect power dissipation?
Power dissipation scales directly with copper pad area: 0.65 W on standard SOT223 footprint, 1.00 W on 1 cm² collector pad, and 1.35 W on 6 cm² pad. Derating curves show linear reduction above 25 °C ambient - e.g., at 75 °C ambient, only ~0.9 W is sustainable on the 6 cm² layout.
Is BCP68-25/ZLX qualified for automotive applications?
No. Per Nexperia's revision history, the BCP68_SER family was explicitly changed to non-automotive qualification in Rev. 9 (2023). It lacks AEC-Q101 stress testing and automotive-grade process controls. For automotive use, Nexperia recommends the BCP68-Q series variants, which are separately qualified and marked with "-Q" suffix.
BCP68-25/ZLX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-261-4, TO-261AA
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Transistor Type:
- NPN
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 2 A
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 20 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 600mV @ 200mA, 2A
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 100nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 160 @ 500mA, 1V
- Power - Max:
- 1.35 W
- Frequency - Transition:
- 170MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-223
BCP68-25/ZLX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BCP68-25/ZLX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BCP68-25/ZLX 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 BCP68-25/ZLX reliable?
The price and inventory of BCP68-25/ZLX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BCP68-25/ZLX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BCP68-25/ZLX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BCP68-25/ZLX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BCP68-25/ZLX?
BCP68-25/ZLX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BCP68-25/ZLX 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 BCP68-25/ZLX?
For technical support, including BCP68-25/ZLX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BCP68-25/ZLX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BCP68-25/ZLX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BCP68-25/ZLX 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 BCP68-25/ZLX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BCP68-25/ZLX?
All BCP68-25/ZLX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BCP68-25/ZLX, 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 BCP68-25/ZLX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BCP68-25/ZLX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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