STMicroelectronics BD244C
- Part No.:
- BD244C
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-220-3
- Datasheet:
-
BD244C.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS PNP 100V 6A TO-220
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,259
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Product details
Overview
BD244C from STMicroelectronics is a complementary silicon PNP power transistor in TO-220 package, designed for medium-power linear and switching applications such as audio amplifiers and motor drivers. It features VCEO = −100 V, IC = −6 A, Ptot = 65 W at Tc ≤ 25 °C, and hFE ≥ 15 at IC = 3 A, VCE = 4 V.
For engineers reviewing the BD244C datasheet, BD244C pinout, BD244C application, or BD244C equivalent, key selection criteria include its negative polarity PNP configuration, TO-220 thermal performance (Rthj-case = 1.92 °C/W), safe operating area under pulsed conditions, and compatibility with BD243C NPN counterparts in push-pull output stages.
Technical Context
The BD244C is an epitaxial-base PNP bipolar junction transistor optimized for medium-power analog and switching circuits. Its rated VCEO = −100 V and IC = −6 A support operation in Class AB audio outputs and DC motor H-bridge half-bridges, while its 150 °C max junction temperature enables sustained conduction under heatsink-limited thermal conditions.
It exhibits VCE(sat) = −1.5 V at IC = −6 A / IB = −1 A and VBE = −2 V at IC = −6 A, confirming low-saturation capability for efficient current sourcing. The device's hFE drops from ≥30 at 0.3 A to ≥15 at 3 A, indicating predictable gain roll-off suitable for bias-stable amplifier designs.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | −100 V: Maximum reverse-biased collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines safe DC rail headroom in PNP high-side switch or emitter-follower configurations. |
| IC | −6 A: Continuous collector current rating; supports load driving up to ~72 W into resistive loads with adequate heatsinking. |
| Ptot | 65 W at Tc ≤ 25 °C: Total power dissipation limit at case temperature; requires thermal interface design targeting Rthj-amb ≤ 62.5 °C/W for ambient operation. |
| hFE | ≥15 at IC = −3 A, VCE = −4 V: Minimum DC current gain at mid-load; ensures reliable base drive sizing for switching or linear gain stages. |
| VCE(sat) | −1.5 V at IC = −6 A, IB = −1 A: Saturation voltage under full-rated current; determines conduction loss and heat generation in saturated-switching mode. |
| Rthj-case | 1.92 °C/W: Junction-to-case thermal resistance; dictates minimum heatsink thermal resistance needed to maintain Tj ≤ 150 °C at full power. |
Pinout & Package
BD244C is housed in a standard JEDEC TO-220 plastic package with three leads: Collector (tab), Base (lead 1), Emitter (lead 2), and metal tab electrically connected to collector. Mounting requires insulating hardware when collector is not at chassis ground potential.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lead 1 | Base | Control input terminal; requires −1 A peak base current to saturate at −6 A collector current. |
| Lead 2 | Emitter | Current source reference node; tied to positive supply rail in high-side switch or common-emitter amplifier configurations. |
| Metal Tab | Collector | Main power terminal and thermal path; electrically active and must be isolated unless collector is at system ground or chassis potential. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Complementary Pairing | Matched with BD243C (NPN) for push-pull output stages, enabling symmetrical drive and reduced crossover distortion in audio amplifiers. |
| High VCEO Rating | −100 V allows operation with ±40 V rails or 80 V single-supply systems without derating, supporting industrial motor control and SMPS auxiliary circuits. |
| Pulsed SOA Compliance | Rated for 300 µs pulses at ≤2% duty cycle, enabling short-duration surge handling in relay drivers and solenoid interfaces. |
| TO-220 Thermal Performance | Rthj-case = 1.92 °C/W enables >50 W continuous dissipation with modest heatsinks, reducing thermal subsystem cost vs. larger packages. |
Applications
| Audio Power Amplifier Output Stage | DC Motor Half-Bridge Driver |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Final output stage of a 20–50 W Class AB audio amplifier driving 4–8 Ω speakers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP emitter-follower complement to BD243C NPN, sourcing current during positive signal half-cycles. Use Value: Delivers low-distortion output with VCE(sat) ≤ −1.5 V and hFE ≥ 15 at 3 A, minimizing thermal mismatch and crossover notch. | Use Scenario: High-side switch in a unidirectional DC motor driver using PWM at ≤20 kHz. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP power switch controlling motor connection to positive rail; driven by NPN level shifter or logic buffer. Use Value: Supports 6 A continuous motor current with −100 V VCEO, allowing operation from 48 V industrial supplies with safety margin. |
| Linear Voltage Regulator Pass Element | Relay/Solenoid Interface Driver |
Use Scenario: Series pass transistor in a 3 A, 24 V adjustable linear regulator with foldback current limiting. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP series regulator element dissipating up to 40 W under worst-case dropout conditions. Use Value: 65 W Ptot and 150 °C Tj(max) enable stable regulation across ambient temperatures up to 70 °C with standard TO-220 heatsinking. | Use Scenario: Driving 24 V/2 A industrial relays or 12 V/3 A solenoids from microcontroller GPIO via base resistor network. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Medium-power discrete switch providing galvanic isolation between logic and inductive load. Use Value: −100 V VCEO withstands >100 V inductive kickback; −1.5 V VCE(sat) limits coil driver losses to <9 W at full load. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP power transistor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJD243G | TO-263 surface-mount package; lower Ptot = 35 W; VCEO = −100 V; hFE ≥ 20 at IC = −2 A. | Not suitable for through-hole prototyping or high-power heatsink mounting; better for compact PCB layouts with forced-air cooling. | Select when board space is constrained and thermal management uses PCB copper or airflow rather than bulky TO-220 heatsinks. |
| TIP2955 | TO-218 package; higher Ptot = 115 W; VCEO = −100 V; hFE ≥ 20 at IC = −4 A; slower fT (~100 kHz). | Designed for higher continuous power and ruggedized industrial environments; less suited for audio due to lower bandwidth. | Select when >65 W dissipation is required or mechanical robustness under vibration/shock is critical. |
Compared with MJD243G and TIP2955, BD244C offers optimal balance of through-hole serviceability, 65 W thermal capability, and audio-grade gain-bandwidth behavior - making it preferred for medium-power linear designs where TO-220 mounting and thermal accessibility are priorities.
Availability
BD244C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio amplifier output stages, DC motor drivers, linear voltage regulators, and relay/solenoid interface circuits requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.
Supply support for BD244C 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
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in power management, analog, MCU, and automotive ICs with vertical manufacturing and broad industrial qualification.
The BD244C belongs to ST's legacy silicon bipolar power transistor family, engineered for reliability in medium-power linear and switching applications across industrial automation, audio equipment, and power supply subsystems.
FAQ
Is BD244C pin-compatible with BD244B?
Yes, BD244C and BD244B share identical TO-220 pinout (Base–Emitter–Collector), but differ in voltage ratings: BD244B has VCEO = −80 V versus −100 V for BD244C. Substitution requires verifying that the −80 V rating meets system rail and transient requirements.
Can BD244C be used in parallel for higher current?
Parallel operation is not recommended without individual emitter resistors and matched hFE/VBE characteristics. The BD244C lacks built-in current-sharing features, and thermal runaway risk increases due to positive temperature coefficient of VBE and unequal junction heating.
What is the maximum safe continuous collector current at 70 °C case temperature?
At Tc = 70 °C, derating applies: Ptot reduces linearly from 65 W at 25 °C to zero at 150 °C. At 70 °C, allowable Ptot ≈ 48.8 W. With VCE(sat) ≈ −1.5 V, max continuous IC ≈ 32.5 A is unrealistic; practical limit remains −6 A due to bondwire and package current capacity, not just thermal limits.
Does BD244C require a heatsink in all applications?
Yes - even at 1 A collector current, power dissipation exceeds 1 W if VCE > 1 V. With Rthj-amb = 62.5 °C/W, junction temperature rises >60 °C above ambient without heatsinking. A minimum 10 °C/W heatsink is recommended for any operation above 500 mA continuous current.
BD244C Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-3
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Transistor Type:
- PNP
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 6 A
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 100 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 1.5V @ 1A, 6A
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 700µA
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 15 @ 3A, 4V
- Power - Max:
- 65 W
- Frequency - Transition:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220
BD244C FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BD244C through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BD244C 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 BD244C reliable?
The price and inventory of BD244C are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BD244C is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BD244C?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BD244C transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BD244C?
BD244C orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BD244C 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 BD244C?
For technical support, including BD244C datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BD244C requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BD244C is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BD244C 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 BD244C meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BD244C?
All BD244C units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BD244C, 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 BD244C part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BD244C:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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