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

Nexperia USA Inc. BCP68-QF

Name: BCP68-QF
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BCP68-QF
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BCP68-QF

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-261-4, TO-261AA

Datasheet:: BCP68-QF.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 20V 2A SOT-223

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:3,942

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Product details

Overview

BCP68-Q from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN medium power transistor in SOT223 (SC-73) package, rated for 20 V V_CEO, 2 A continuous collector current, and 1.35 W power dissipation with 6 cm² copper pad. It delivers h_FE = 85–375 at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 500 mA, and supports linear voltage regulation and MOSFET driver functions in automotive power management systems.

For engineers reviewing the BCP68-Q datasheet, BCP68-Q pinout, BCP68-Q application, or BCP68-Q equivalent, key selection criteria include its AEC-Q101 qualification, dual h_FE binning (BCP68-Q and BCP68-25-Q), thermal performance on FR4 PCBs, and suitability for low-side switching in battery-driven automotive subsystems.

Technical Context

This discrete NPN transistor operates as a medium-power amplifying or switching device with open-base V_CEO = 20 V and pulsed I_CM = 3 A. Its h_FE range (85–375) enables stable DC biasing across temperature (−55 °C to 150 °C) and supports both linear and saturated-mode operation.

Thermal design relies on validated R_th(j-a) values: 93 K/W with 6 cm² collector pad, 125 K/W with 1 cm², and 192 K/W on standard footprint. V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V at I_C = 2 A / I_B = 200 mA ensures low conduction loss in power switching applications.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	20 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines upper rail limit in low-side switch designs.
I_C	2 A continuous - Sustained collector current rating at T_amb ≤ 25 °C; sets load-driving capability in regulators and drivers.
h_FE	85–375 at V_CE = 1 V, I_C = 500 mA - Confirmed DC current gain range enabling predictable base drive sizing.
P_tot	1.35 W with 6 cm² copper pad - Real-world power handling under optimized PCB thermal layout.
V_CE(sat)	≤ 0.6 V at I_C = 2 A, I_B = 200 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes power loss and self-heating during switching.
f_T	40–170 MHz - Transition frequency confirming usable bandwidth for audio and low-speed digital switching.
R_th(j-a)	93 K/W (6 cm² pad) - Validated junction-to-ambient thermal resistance for thermal margin calculation in automotive ambient.

Pinout & Package

SOT223 (SC-73) surface-mount plastic package with four leads: pins 1 and 4 are internally connected to the collector for enhanced thermal and current handling; pin 2 is collector (alternate), pin 3 is emitter, and pin 1/4 serve as primary collector terminals with integrated heatsink tab.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Collector (C)	Primary high-current output terminal; electrically tied to pin 4 and thermal pad for low-inductance, low-resistance path.
2	Collector (C)	Secondary collector connection; used in layouts requiring dual-point collector routing or redundancy.
3	Emiter (E)	Reference node for current flow; connects to ground or low-side return path in switching configurations.
4	Collector (C)	Redundant collector terminal; shares internal connection with pin 1 to improve thermal dissipation and current sharing.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
AEC-Q101 qualification	Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD per JESD22 standards.
Dual h_FE binning	BCP68-Q (h_FE = 85–375) and BCP68-25-Q (h_FE = 160–375) enable precise gain matching in production batches.
Enhanced thermal pad	SOT223 package includes extended collector tab for direct PCB copper attachment, enabling 1.35 W dissipation.
High peak current capability	I_CM = 3 A (tp ≤ 1 ms) supports surge-tolerant operation in motor drive and load-switch transient events.

Applications

Linear Voltage Regulators

MOSFET Drivers

Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable LDOs supplying 3.3 V/2 A to automotive infotainment microcontrollers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN series pass element regulating output by modulating base current in response to error amplifier feedback.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V and h_FE ≥ 85 ensure stable dropout control and minimal thermal overhead at full load.

Use Scenario: Gate driver stage for 40 V N-channel MOSFETs controlling HVAC blower motors in 12 V vehicle systems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Medium-power NPN switch sourcing gate charge current during MOSFET turn-on transitions.

Use Value: 2 A I_C rating and f_T > 40 MHz support fast, low-loss gate charging without external buffering.

Low-Side Switches

Battery-Driven Devices

Use Scenario: Load switch for rear lighting modules powered from 12 V battery with PWM dimming control.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated-mode NPN switch sinking current from LED strings to ground under MCU GPIO control.

Use Value: I_CM = 3 A handles inrush currents; AEC-Q101 qualification ensures robustness against automotive load dump transients.

Use Scenario: Power path control in portable diagnostic tools powered by Li-ion packs (8–16 V).

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Discrete transistor managing battery-to-system power delivery with reverse polarity and overcurrent protection logic.

Use Value: V_CEO = 20 V provides 4 V headroom above max pack voltage; 150 °C T_j rating supports sealed enclosure 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
BCP56-10Q	Lower V_CEO = 80 V, same SOT223 package, h_FE = 100–300, P_tot = 1.25 W (6 cm²)	Higher voltage headroom but reduced thermal margin; suitable where 20 V rating is excessive and space-constrained layouts demand identical footprint.	Select when system rail exceeds 20 V but thermal budget is tighter than BCP68-Q's 1.35 W capability.
ZTX653	TO-92 package, V_CEO = 60 V, I_C = 1 A, h_FE = 100–800, no AEC-Q101 qualification	Through-hole mounting only; lacks automotive qualification and current/power capability; higher gain variability.	Choose only for non-automotive prototyping or legacy through-hole designs where SMT is not feasible.

Compared with BCP68-Q, BCP56-10Q trades voltage margin for slightly lower thermal performance and identical SMT compatibility, while ZTX653 sacrifices AEC-Q101 compliance, power rating, and surface-mount integration for higher h_FE flexibility in non-automotive contexts.

Availability

BCP68-Q is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for linear voltage regulators, MOSFET drivers, and low-side switches requiring stable component supply in automotive electronics, industrial power management, and battery-powered instrumentation.

Supply support for BCP68-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 high-volume, high-reliability essential semiconductors, with leadership in discrete devices, logic ICs, and MOSFETs.

The BCP68-Q belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified medium-power bipolar transistor family, engineered specifically for automotive power control, linear regulation, and interface driver applications demanding robust thermal and reliability performance.

FAQ

Is BCP68-Q pin-compatible with BCP68-25-Q?

Yes - both share identical SOT223 pinout (pins 1/4 = collector, 2 = collector, 3 = emitter) and mechanical footprint. The only difference is h_FE binning: BCP68-Q spans 85–375, while BCP68-25-Q is binned 160–375 for tighter gain control in precision biasing applications.

What is the maximum allowable PCB copper area for optimal thermal performance?

Per Nexperia's datasheet, the 1.35 W P_tot rating assumes a 6 cm² copper pad connected to pins 1 and 4. This pad must be single-sided, tin-plated FR4 with no solder mask over the thermal land. Larger areas yield diminishing returns; smaller pads reduce power handling proportionally (e.g., 1 cm² → 1.00 W).

Does BCP68-Q support pulsed operation beyond its DC ratings?

Yes - it supports I_CM = 3 A for single pulses ≤ 1 ms (duty cycle ≤ 0.02), verified per IEC 60134 limiting values. Pulse operation requires adherence to transient thermal impedance curves (Fig. 2–4) and must maintain T_j ≤ 150 °C using appropriate pulse width and repetition rate limits.

Can BCP68-Q replace BC817 in automotive applications?

No - BC817 is a general-purpose SOT-23 transistor (I_C = 500 mA, V_CEO = 45 V) lacking AEC-Q101 qualification and thermal capability. BCP68-Q offers 4× higher current, SOT223 thermal robustness, and automotive qualification - making it unsuitable as a drop-in replacement but appropriate for upgraded reliability-critical designs.

BCP68-QF Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-261-4, TO-261AA

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

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:: 85 @ 500mA, 1V

Power - Max:: 650 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 170MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: Automotive

Qualification:: AEC-Q101

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: SOT-223

BCP68-QF FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BCP68-QF through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BCP68-QF 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-QF reliable?

The price and inventory of BCP68-QF are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BCP68-QF is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BCP68-QF?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BCP68-QF transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BCP68-QF?

BCP68-QF orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BCP68-QF 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-QF?

For technical support, including BCP68-QF datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BCP68-QF requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BCP68-QF is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BCP68-QF 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-QF meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BCP68-QF?

All BCP68-QF units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BCP68-QF, 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-QF part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BCP68-QF:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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