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Nexperia USA Inc. BCP68/ZLX
- Part No.:
- BCP68/ZLX
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-261-4, TO-261AA
- Datasheet:
-
BCP68/ZLX.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 20V 2A SOT-223
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:8,235
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Product details
Overview
BCP68/ZLX from Nexperia is a medium-power NPN bipolar junction transistor in SOT223 (SC-73) package, rated for 20 V VCEO, 2 A continuous collector current, and 1.35 W power dissipation on 6 cm² copper pad - used as low-side switch or MOSFET driver in battery-powered DC-DC converters.
For engineers reviewing the BCP68/ZLX datasheet, BCP68/ZLX pinout, BCP68/ZLX application, or BCP68/ZLX equivalent, key selection criteria include VCEO = 20 V, IC = 2 A, hFE = 85–375 at IC = 500 mA, VCE(sat) ≤ 0.6 V at IC = 2 A / IB = 200 mA, and thermal resistance Rth(j-a) = 93 K/W with enhanced heatsinking.
Technical Context
This device operates as a linear or switching NPN transistor with open-base VCEO = 20 V and VCBO = 32 V, supporting pulsed ICM = 3 A (tp ≤ 1 ms). Its hFE varies from 40 to 375 across IC = 2 A to 500 mA, enabling stable gain control in regulator feedback paths.
Thermal performance depends on PCB layout: Rth(j-a) drops from 192 K/W (standard footprint) to 93 K/W (6 cm² collector pad), and VBE remains ≤1.0 V at IC = 1 A, ensuring predictable base drive requirements in power stage designs.
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 applications. |
| IC | 2 A - Continuous DC collector current; supports load switching up to ~24 W at 12 V with adequate heatsinking. |
| hFE | 85–375 at VCE = 1 V, IC = 500 mA - High and wide DC current gain range enables low-base-drive designs in linear regulators. |
| VCE(sat) | ≤0.6 V at IC = 2 A, IB = 200 mA - Low saturation voltage minimizes conduction loss in high-current switching nodes. |
| Ptot | 1.35 W with 6 cm² copper pad - Enables >1 W continuous power handling without active cooling in space-constrained SMT layouts. |
| fT | 40–170 MHz - Sufficient bandwidth for PWM frequencies up to several MHz in gate driving and amplifier stages. |
| Rth(j-a) | 93 K/W with 6 cm² collector pad - Confirms thermal viability for sustained 1.2 W operation at ambient ≤75 °C. |
Pinout & Package
SOT223 (SC-73) surface-mount plastic package with integrated heatsink tab (pin 4 connected to collector); 4-terminal configuration optimized for thermal transfer via large copper area under collector leads.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Control input requiring ~200 mA base current to saturate at 2 A collector load; low-impedance path for driver IC output. |
| 2 | Collector (C) | Main current-carrying terminal tied to heatsink pad (pin 4); connects to switched load or power rail in low-side topology. |
| 3 | Emitter (E) | Reference node tied to ground or return path; establishes common reference for base drive and load current sensing. |
| 4 | Collector (C) | Heatsink-connected collector terminal; must be soldered to ≥1 cm² copper for rated power dissipation and thermal reliability. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| High IC capability | 2 A continuous rating enables direct drive of solenoids, relays, and logic-level MOSFET gates without external amplification. |
| Dual hFE variants | BCP68 (85–375) and BCP68-25 (160–375) allow precise gain matching in feedback loops or current mirror circuits. |
| Enhanced thermal pad | Pin 4 collector tab delivers 30% lower Rth(j-a) vs standard SOT223 footprints, supporting higher ambient operation in enclosed enclosures. |
| Low VCE(sat) | 0.5–0.6 V at full load reduces conduction loss by >40% compared to general-purpose transistors like BC817 at same current. |
| Pulsed ICM = 3 A | Supports short-duration inrush current handling (e.g., motor startup, capacitor charging) without secondary protection circuitry. |
Applications
| Linear Voltage Regulators | MOSFET Drivers |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable LDO or emitter-follower regulator delivering up to 2 A at 3.3–12 V. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass element controlling output voltage via base bias; operates in linear region with VCE < 5 V. Use Value: High hFE reduces required base drive current, lowering quiescent consumption in battery-powered systems. |
Use Scenario: Gate driver for N-channel power MOSFETs in buck converter high-side or synchronous rectifier control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Switching transistor providing fast turn-on/turn-off pulses to MOSFET gate with minimal delay. Use Value: fT > 40 MHz ensures sub-100 ns rise/fall times at 2 A peak current, improving converter efficiency above 500 kHz. |
| Low-Side Switches | Battery-Driven Devices |
|
Use Scenario: Load switch disconnecting peripherals (LED arrays, sensors, USB ports) from shared 5–24 V battery rail. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ground-referenced switching element controlled by microcontroller GPIO or logic signal. Use Value: VCEO = 20 V and IC = 2 A support robust operation across 12 V automotive and industrial battery ranges. |
Use Scenario: Power management in portable medical monitors, handheld test equipment, and IoT edge nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary switching element in boost/buck converter or battery charge/discharge path. Use Value: 1.35 W Ptot with standard PCB layout eliminates need for discrete heatsinks, reducing BOM count and board area. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCP56-10 | VCEO = 80 V, IC = 1 A, hFE = 63–160 - higher voltage rating but lower current and gain. | Suitable for higher-voltage industrial controls where 20 V margin is insufficient, but not for 2 A loads. | Select when system rail exceeds 24 V and thermal budget allows reduced current density. |
| ZTX653 | VCEO = 60 V, IC = 3 A, Rth(j-a) = 125 K/W - higher current but worse thermal resistance than BCP68/ZLX with 6 cm² pad. | Better for pulsed 3 A loads but requires larger heatsink area to match BCP68/ZLX's 1.35 W continuous rating. | Choose when peak pulse current >2.5 A dominates design, and PCB layout permits extra copper area. |
Compared with BCP56-10 and ZTX653, BCP68/ZLX offers optimal balance of 2 A continuous current, 20 V rating, and 93 K/W thermal resistance - making it preferred for compact, thermally constrained 12 V battery systems requiring stable linear or switching operation.
Availability
BCP68/ZLX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for linear voltage regulators, MOSFET drivers, and low-side switches requiring stable component supply in high-volume industrial and consumer electronics production.
Supply support for BCP68/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 - delivering discrete, logic, and MOSFET solutions for automotive, industrial, and mobile markets.
The BCP68 series belongs to Nexperia's medium-power bipolar transistor product line, engineered specifically for efficient, thermally robust switching and linear regulation in cost-sensitive, space-constrained power management applications.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable junction temperature for BCP68/ZLX?
The absolute maximum junction temperature (Tj) is 150 °C per IEC 60134 limiting values. Operation above this threshold risks permanent degradation of hFE and increased leakage. Derating curves in Figure 1 confirm 1.35 W is only sustainable below 25 °C ambient with 6 cm² copper; at 75 °C ambient, max continuous power drops to ~0.8 W.
Can BCP68/ZLX replace BC817 in a 1 A switching application?
Yes - BCP68/ZLX supports 2 A continuous current and has lower VCE(sat) (0.6 V vs BC817's 0.7 V at 1 A), higher hFE (min 85 vs 100), and superior thermal performance due to SOT223's heatsink pad. Pin compatibility is not guaranteed: BC817 uses SOT23 (3-pin), while BCP68/ZLX uses SOT223 (4-pin with collector tab).
Is BCP68/ZLX qualified for automotive applications?
No - per Nexperia's revision history (Table 8), 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 -Q qualified variants such as BCP68-16Q or PBSS4041T.
How does PCB copper area affect BCP68/ZLX's power handling?
Power dissipation scales directly with collector pad size: Rth(j-a) is 192 K/W (standard footprint), 125 K/W (1 cm² pad), and 93 K/W (6 cm² pad). At 25 °C ambient, this enables 0.65 W, 1.00 W, and 1.35 W continuous power respectively. Layout must connect pin 4 to solid copper; thermal vias under the pad further improve performance.
BCP68/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/ZLX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BCP68/ZLX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BCP68/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/ZLX reliable?
The price and inventory of BCP68/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/ZLX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BCP68/ZLX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BCP68/ZLX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BCP68/ZLX?
BCP68/ZLX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BCP68/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/ZLX?
For technical support, including BCP68/ZLX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BCP68/ZLX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BCP68/ZLX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BCP68/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/ZLX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BCP68/ZLX?
All BCP68/ZLX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BCP68/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/ZLX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BCP68/ZLX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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