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

Nexperia USA Inc. BCX18,215

Name: BCX18,215
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BCX18,215
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BCX18,215

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3

Datasheet:: BCX18,215.pdf

Description:: TRANS PNP 25V 0.5A TO-236AB

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:2,999

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Product details

Overview

BCX18,215 from NXP Semiconductors is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT23 package, rated for −25 V V_CEO, −500 mA I_C, and 250 mW P_tot, used in saturated switching and driver circuits for industrial control and thin-film applications.

For engineers reviewing the BCX18,215 datasheet, BCX18,215 pinout, BCX18,215 application, or BCX18,215 equivalent, key selection factors include its −25 V collector-emitter breakdown, −500 mA DC current capability, SOT23 thermal resistance (500 K/W), and verified PNP switching behavior in industrial driver stages.

Technical Context

This device operates as a medium-power PNP BJT optimized for linear amplification and hard saturation in low-voltage industrial switching. Its h_FE ranges from 40 at −500 mA to 600 at −100 mA, with V_CEsat ≤ −620 mV at −500 mA/−50 mA drive.

Thermal performance is defined for FR4 PCB mounting (R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W), and it features low leakage: ICBO ≤ −100 nA at −20 V V_CB, rising to −5 μA at 150 °C junction temperature.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	−25 V: Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage under open-base condition, defining upper rail limit in PNP switch designs.
I_C (DC)	−500 mA: Continuous collector current rating, supporting medium-current load switching without derating at T_amb ≤ 25 °C.
P_tot	250 mW: Total power dissipation on FR4 PCB, limiting usable I_C×V_CE product in ambient-constrained layouts.
h_FE	40–600: DC current gain range across operating points, enabling predictable base drive sizing for saturation at varying loads.
V_CEsat	≤ −620 mV at I_C = −500 mA, I_B = −50 mA: Confirmed low-saturation voltage ensuring <0.31 W conduction loss in high-duty-cycle switches.
f_T	80 MHz: Transition frequency at −10 mA/−5 V, indicating usable bandwidth for audio-frequency amplification and fast-switching drivers.

Pinout & Package

SOT23 plastic surface-mounted package (TO-236AB), 3-lead, dimensions per JEDEC outline: 2.9 × 1.3 × 1.0 mm (L × W × H), with 0.95 mm lead pitch.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base	Control terminal for forward-biased PNP operation; requires negative current relative to emitter to turn on.
2	Emitter	Current source terminal in PNP configuration; connected to higher potential rail in common-emitter switches.
3	Collector	Current sink terminal; delivers load current to ground or lower-potential node when saturated.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
High DC current capability	Rated −500 mA continuous collector current enables direct driving of relays, LEDs, and small solenoids without external buffering.
Low saturation voltage	V_CEsat ≤ −620 mV ensures minimal power loss and heat generation in high-duty-cycle switching applications.
Wide h_FE range	40–600 gain spread supports robust base drive design across production lots and temperature extremes (−65 to +150 °C).
FR4-optimized thermal design	500 K/W junction-to-ambient resistance validated on standard PCBs, simplifying thermal layout for cost-sensitive industrial boards.

Applications

Industrial Relay Drivers

LED Current Switches

Use Scenario: Driving 24 V DC industrial relays with coil currents up to 400 mA in PLC output modules.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP switch configured in common-emitter topology, sinking relay coil current to ground when base is pulled low.

Use Value: −25 V V_CEO safely accommodates 24 V supply transients; −620 mV V_CEsat limits relay coil power loss to <250 mW at full load.

Use Scenario: Constant-current switching of high-brightness LED strings in panel indicators and status displays.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Linear current regulator in emitter-follower configuration, setting LED current via base bias resistor network.

Use Value: h_FE ≥ 70 at −300 mA ensures stable current regulation with <5% variation across temperature and unit-to-unit spread.

Thin-Film Circuit Amplifiers

Low-Voltage Signal Inverters

Use Scenario: Small-signal amplification stage in hybrid thick-film sensor signal conditioning modules.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Common-emitter amplifier biased at −10 mA, delivering mid-band voltage gain with f_T-limited bandwidth.

Use Value: 80 MHz f_T supports >1 MHz small-signal amplification, suitable for kHz-range sensor outputs without instability.

Use Scenario: Digital logic level inversion between 3.3 V/5 V microcontroller GPIO and legacy −5 V interface lines.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated PNP inverter with pull-up resistor, translating active-low logic signals into compatible negative-voltage outputs.

Use Value: −5 V V_EBO rating allows safe reverse-biasing of base-emitter junction during logic high states without breakdown.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP general-purpose transistor applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
BC807-25,215	Higher h_FE (min 160 @ −100 mA), same SOT23 package, −45 V V_CEO, −500 mA I_C.	Better suited for low-base-drive amplification; less margin for V_CEO in 24 V systems with transients.	Select when higher gain stability at light loads is critical and system voltage stays ≤20 V.
MMBT3906LT1G	−40 V V_CEO, −200 mA I_C, 350 mW P_tot, h_FE 100–300, same SOT23 footprint.	Limited to lower-current switching; superior thermal resistance (357 K/W) but insufficient for 500 mA loads.	Choose only for ≤200 mA applications where tighter h_FE tolerance and better thermal performance outweigh current capacity needs.

Compared with BCX18,215, BC807-25,215 offers higher gain but reduced V_CEO safety margin in 24 V industrial environments, while MMBT3906LT1G trades current capacity for tighter gain control and improved thermal efficiency-neither is a drop-in replacement without circuit revalidation.

Availability

BCX18,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial relay drivers, LED current switches, and thin-film circuit amplifiers requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturing continuity.

Supply support for BCX18,215 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

The BCX18,215 belongs to NXP's legacy discrete transistor portfolio, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-reliability industrial switching and analog amplification where proven SOT23 PNP performance is required.

FAQ

Is BCX18,215 RoHS compliant?

Yes, BCX18,215 manufactured after 2006 conforms to EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, with lead-free terminations and halogen-free molding compound. The "215" suffix denotes tape-and-reel packaging compliant with J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level 1.

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum peak base current is −200 mA, but for continuous DC operation, IBM must be limited to ≤ −50 mA to maintain V_CEsat ≤ −620 mV and avoid secondary breakdown. Derating is required above 25 °C ambient per the R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W specification.

Can BCX18,215 replace BCX17 in existing designs?

No-BCX18 has −25 V V_CEO and −30 V V_CBO, while BCX17 is rated for −45 V V_CEO and −50 V V_CBO. Substituting BCX18,215 in a BCX17 design risks premature breakdown in circuits operating near 30–40 V rails or experiencing voltage transients.

Does BCX18,215 have a documented SPICE model for simulation?

Yes, NXP provides an industry-standard Gummel-Poon SPICE model for BCX18 in its "Discrete Transistors" model library (file: BCX18.lib), validated against measured h_FE, capacitance, and saturation characteristics across −65 to +150 °C.

BCX18,215 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

Transistor Type:: PNP

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 500 mA

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 25 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 620mV @ 50mA, 500mA

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

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 100 @ 100mA, 1V

Power - Max:: 250 mW

Frequency - Transition:: 80MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: Automotive

Qualification:: AEC-Q101

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: TO-236AB

BCX18,215 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BCX18,215 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BCX18,215 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 BCX18,215 reliable?

The price and inventory of BCX18,215 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BCX18,215 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BCX18,215?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BCX18,215 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BCX18,215?

BCX18,215 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BCX18,215 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 BCX18,215?

For technical support, including BCX18,215 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BCX18,215 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BCX18,215 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BCX18,215 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 BCX18,215 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BCX18,215?

All BCX18,215 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BCX18,215, 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 BCX18,215 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BCX18,215:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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