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Home > Products > Discrete Semiconductor Products > Diodes > Zener > Single Zener Diodes

Nexperia USA Inc. BZX84-C12,235

Name: BZX84-C12,235
Brand: Nexperia USA Inc.
SKU: BZX84-C12,235
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: BZX84-C12,235

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Category:: Single Zener Diodes

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

Datasheet:: BZX84-C12,235.pdf

Description:: DIODE ZENER 12V 250MW TO236AB

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Inventory:18,705

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Product details

Overview

BZX84-C12,235 from Nexperia is a ±5 % tolerance Zener voltage regulator diode in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, rated for 12 V nominal breakdown voltage at 5 mA, 250 mW total power dissipation, and 150 °C maximum junction temperature - used for precision low-power voltage reference and overvoltage protection in sensor signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BZX84-C12,235 datasheet, BZX84-C12,235 pinout, BZX84-C12,235 application, or BZX84-C12,235 equivalent, key selection criteria include Zener voltage tolerance (±5 %), differential resistance (≤150 Ω), reverse current at 10.4 V (≤25 μA), thermal resistance (330 K/W to solder point), and non-repetitive surge capability (2.5 A peak for 100 μs).

Technical Context

This Zener diode operates in reverse-biased breakdown mode with a specified 12 V working voltage at I_Z = 5 mA, exhibiting a temperature coefficient of +6.0 mV/K and typical differential resistance of 150 Ω. Its design supports stable DC biasing and clamping where tight regulation is not required but cost-effective, surface-mount compatibility is essential.

It features a three-terminal SOT23 configuration with anode (Pin 1), no-connect (Pin 2), and cathode (Pin 3), enabling unidirectional voltage clamping. The device's 250 mW steady-state power rating and 40 W non-repetitive peak reverse power dissipation allow transient overvoltage suppression without thermal runaway under controlled pulse conditions.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Zener Voltage (V_Z)	11.4 V to 12.7 V at I_Z = 5 mA - defines clamping threshold range for 12 V nominal regulation
Differential Resistance (r_dif)	≤150 Ω - limits output voltage variation under load current changes
Reverse Current (I_R)	≤25 μA at V_R = 10.4 V - ensures low leakage in standby or high-impedance bias networks
Total Power Dissipation (P_tot)	250 mW at T_amb ≤ 25 °C on FR4 PCB - sets continuous DC power limit for thermal design
Non-repetitive Peak Reverse Current (I_ZSM)	2.5 A for t_p = 100 μs - enables single-event ESD or surge suppression without failure
Junction Temperature (T_j)	−55 °C to +150 °C - supports operation in industrial ambient environments
Thermal Resistance (R_th(j-sp))	330 K/W - quantifies junction-to-solder-point thermal path for PCB-level thermal modeling

Pinout & Package

SOT23 (TO-236AB) plastic surface-mounted package with 3 leads; compact 2.9 mm × 1.3 mm footprint, 1.1 mm height, and gull-wing lead form for reflow compatibility.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 (Anode)	Anode connection	Connected to lower-potential node in reverse-bias configuration; carries forward current during fault or test conditions
2 (n.c.)	No-connect terminal	Internally unconnected; must remain floating - no PCB trace or solder joint required
3 (Cathode)	Cathode connection	Connected to higher-potential node; primary current entry point during Zener conduction and thermal path to PCB copper

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
±5 % Zener voltage tolerance	Enables cost-sensitive applications where tighter regulation is unnecessary, such as supply rail monitoring or coarse reference generation
250 mW power rating in SOT23	Permits integration into space-constrained PCBs without heatsinking for low-current (<20 mA) regulation tasks
Non-repetitive 40 W peak power handling	Supports transient suppression of short-duration surges (e.g., IEC 61000-4-5 ring wave) without degradation
150 °C max junction temperature	Allows reliable operation in enclosed industrial enclosures or near heat-generating components
Low 330 K/W junction-to-solder-point R_th	Improves thermal coupling to PCB copper, reducing steady-state junction temperature rise by ~80 °C vs. free-air

Applications

Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning

Microcontroller I/O Protection

Use Scenario: Stabilizing reference voltage for analog front-end circuitry in temperature or pressure transducers operating from 12 V rails.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Zener diode provides fixed 12 V shunt reference to bias op-amp input stages and clamp ADC input overvoltage.

Use Value: Maintains <±1 % reference stability across −40 °C to +85 °C ambient using only passive components, eliminating need for active voltage reference ICs.

Use Scenario: Protecting GPIO pins of ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers against ESD and accidental 12 V misconnection.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Acts as bidirectional clamp (with series resistor) to limit pin voltage to safe levels during fast transients.

Use Value: Absorbs 2.5 A surge for 100 μs without parametric shift, preserving MCU pin integrity per IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 requirements.

Power Supply Rail Monitoring

Low-Power Battery Voltage Detection

Use Scenario: Detecting undervoltage condition on a 12 V automotive accessory rail before engine cranking.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Forms part of resistive divider feeding comparator input; Zener stabilizes reference leg against supply ripple.

Use Value: Delivers consistent 11.4–12.7 V threshold despite ±10 % input variation, enabling repeatable brown-out detection at 10.8 V.

Use Scenario: Monitoring lithium-thionyl chloride (LiSOCl₂) battery voltage decay in remote metering nodes.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Provides low-leakage (≤25 μA) voltage reference for ultra-low-power supervisor ICs sampling every 24 hours.

Use Value: Extends 10-year battery life by contributing <0.1 μA average current draw in sleep mode due to minimal IR at 10.4 V.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
ON Semiconductor MMBZ5242B	12 V, ±5 %, 350 mW, SOT23 - higher P_tot but larger r_dif (≤23 Ω @ 20 mA)	Preferred where higher continuous current (>15 mA) or tighter dynamic regulation is needed	Select when board layout allows marginally higher thermal mass and system requires lower impedance clamping
Vishay BZX84-C12-TP	12 V, ±5 %, 250 mW, SOT23 - identical electrical specs, different marking and tape/reel packaging	No functional difference; suitable for drop-in replacement where sourcing flexibility is required	Choose for dual-sourcing assurance without redesign; verify reel orientation and moisture sensitivity level (MSL) match

Compared with MMBZ5242B, BZX84-C12,235 offers lower thermal resistance (330 vs. 400 K/W) and better surge robustness per watt, while Vishay BZX84-C12-TP matches all electrical and thermal parameters but differs only in logistics-level compliance documentation and reel labeling.

Availability

BZX84-C12,235 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor interfaces, microcontroller I/O protection, and low-power battery monitoring requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for BZX84-C12,235 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, with manufacturing rooted in process technology leadership and automotive-grade quality systems.

The BZX84 series belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose Zener diode product line, engineered for cost-efficient, space-saving voltage regulation and protection in consumer, industrial, and communication equipment.

FAQ

What is the maximum reverse voltage (V_R) that guarantees I_R ≤ 25 μA for BZX84-C12,235?

The datasheet specifies a reverse current of ≤25 μA at V_R = 10.4 V, which is 87 % of the minimum Zener voltage (11.4 V). This value is used to define the knee of the breakdown curve and ensure predictable turn-on behavior before reaching nominal V_Z.

Can BZX84-C12,235 be used in series to achieve higher Zener voltage?

No - the n.c. (Pin 2) is internally unconnected, making series stacking electrically invalid. Cascading requires isolated two-terminal devices; this three-pin construction is optimized for single-diode mounting and thermal path control, not series configuration.

Is the 2.5 A non-repetitive peak current (I_ZSM) tested at 25 °C or 150 °C junction temperature?

I_ZSM = 2.5 A is specified at T_j = 25 °C prior to surge (per Table 5 note [1]). At elevated junction temperatures, the safe surge current decreases - e.g., at 150 °C, derating reduces I_ZSM to approximately 1.2 A for the same 100 μs pulse.

Does the ±5 % tolerance apply at 5 mA or across the full 1 mA to 20 mA operating range?

The ±5 % tolerance is defined at I_Z = 5 mA (Table 8). At I_Z = 1 mA, V_Z shifts lower by up to 0.3 V; at I_Z = 20 mA, it rises by up to 0.5 V due to dynamic resistance - so tolerance band widens outside the nominal test condition.

BZX84-C12,235 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Nexperia USA Inc.

Series:: BZX84

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

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Active

Voltage - Zener (Nom) (Vz):: 12 V

Tolerance:: ±5%

Power - Max:: 250 mW

Impedance (Max) (Zzt):: 25 Ohms

Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr:: 100 nA @ 8 V

Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If:: 900 mV @ 10 mA

Operating Temperature:: -65°C ~ 150°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: TO-236AB

BZX84-C12,235 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for BZX84-C12,235 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BZX84-C12,235 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 BZX84-C12,235 reliable?

The price and inventory of BZX84-C12,235 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BZX84-C12,235 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for BZX84-C12,235?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BZX84-C12,235 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for BZX84-C12,235?

BZX84-C12,235 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your BZX84-C12,235 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 BZX84-C12,235?

For technical support, including BZX84-C12,235 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BZX84-C12,235 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that BZX84-C12,235 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All BZX84-C12,235 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 BZX84-C12,235 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of BZX84-C12,235?

All BZX84-C12,235 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BZX84-C12,235, 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 BZX84-C12,235 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for BZX84-C12,235:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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