Nexperia USA Inc. BZX585-C12,115

Overview

BZX585-C12,115 from Nexperia is a ±5 % tolerance Zener diode in SOD523 (SC-79) package, rated for 12 V nominal Zener voltage at 5 mA, 25 Ω typical differential resistance, and 300 mW total power dissipation - used for precision voltage reference and overvoltage protection in low-power sensor interfaces and microcontroller I/O rail clamping.

For engineers reviewing the BZX585-C12,115 datasheet, BZX585-C12,115 pinout, BZX585-C12,115 application, or BZX585-C12,115 equivalent, this part supports stable 12 V regulation under transient surges up to 40 W (100 µs), operates across −65 °C to +150 °C, and delivers low capacitance (0.1 pF at 0 V) for high-frequency noise suppression in signal conditioning circuits.

Technical Context

This Zener diode operates in reverse breakdown mode with a tightly controlled 11.40 V to 12.60 V working voltage range at I_Z = 5 mA, exhibiting a temperature coefficient of +6.0 mV/K - enabling predictable drift compensation in temperature-sensitive analog references. Its ultra-small SOD523 footprint supports high-density PCB layouts without compromising thermal performance.

The device sustains non-repetitive peak reverse current up to 2.5 A (100 µs square wave) and maintains ≤ 0.1 µA reverse leakage at 9.6 V, ensuring reliable clamping during ESD transients while minimizing standby current draw in battery-powered systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOD523 (SC-79) ultra-small flat-lead surface-mount plastic package with cathode band marking; dimensions: 1.25 mm × 0.85 mm × 0.65 mm (L × W × H), 2-terminal configuration.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Zener regulation applications.

Compared with BZX585-B12,115, the C-grade offers lower cost and identical dynamic impedance but looser voltage tolerance; versus MMBZ5242B-7-F, it trades thermal headroom for 40 % smaller footprint and lower parasitic capacitance - critical for high-frequency signal integrity.

Availability

BZX585-C12,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor signal conditioning, microcontroller I/O protection, low-power battery monitor circuits, and programmable logic controller input stages requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for BZX585-C12,115 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 discrete and logic devices, headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, with manufacturing in Europe and Asia.

The BZX585 series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose Zener diode product line, engineered specifically for compact, thermally efficient voltage regulation and transient suppression in space-constrained consumer, industrial, and automotive-adjacent electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous reverse current for BZX585-C12,115 at 25 °C?

The maximum continuous forward current is 200 mA per Absolute Maximum Ratings (Table 5), but Zener operation uses reverse bias: at 12 V, the device draws only leakage current (< 0.1 µA at 9.6 V) until breakdown. Continuous Zener current is limited by P_tot = 300 mW, yielding ~25 mA max at 12 V with adequate heatsinking.

How does the temperature coefficient affect regulation accuracy over −40 °C to +85 °C?

With a specified +6.0 mV/K temperature coefficient, BZX585-C12,115 exhibits ~360 mV total drift across 60 K span - meaning its Zener voltage shifts from ~11.8 V at −40 °C to ~12.2 V at +85 °C. This is acceptable for non-precision clamping but requires compensation in metrology-grade references.

Can BZX585-C12,115 replace BZX585-B12,115 in existing designs?

Yes, electrically - both share identical package, pinout, thermal specs, and Zener voltage range overlap (B-grade: 11.76–12.24 V; C-grade: 11.40–12.60 V). The C-grade's wider tolerance may cause minor output variation in sensitive analog circuits, but no layout or soldering changes are needed.

What is the recommended PCB pad layout for optimal thermal performance?

Per Figure 12, use 0.5 mm × 0.6 mm solder lands with 0.4 mm solder mask opening and 2.15 mm × 1.4 mm occupied area. For thermal relief, connect the cathode pad to ≥35 mm² of internal/external copper plane - achieving R_th(j-sp) = 65 K/W and enabling full 300 mW dissipation at T_amb = 25 °C.