onsemi FPN330A

Overview

FPN330A from Fairchild Semiconductor is an NPN low-saturation transistor optimized for high-current switching with 3.0 A continuous collector current, 30 V V_CEO, and 450 mV V_CE(sat) at I_C = 2.0 A / I_B = 200 mA. It delivers DC current gain (h_FE) of 250 at 2.0 A and operates across –55°C to +150°C, commonly used in DC-DC converter output stages and motor driver H-bridge low-side switches.

For engineers reviewing the FPN330A datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include verified V_CE(sat) performance at ≥2 A, thermal resistance (R_θJA = 125°C/W), TO-226 package compatibility, and h_FE stability across temperature extremes.

Technical Context

This device uses Fairchild's Process NB to achieve low saturation voltage while maintaining robust current gain. Its 50°C/W junction-to-case thermal resistance supports power dissipation up to 1.0 W at 25°C ambient, and its 100 MHz transition frequency (f_T) enables use in medium-speed switching applications up to several hundred kHz.

The FPN330A exhibits defined cutoff characteristics: ICBO ≤ 10 nA at 100°C and BVCBO = 50 V, ensuring reliable blocking under bias. Saturation behavior is characterized at two operating points - 1.0 A/100 mA and 2.0 A/200 mA - confirming design margin for base drive scalability in high-current loads.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

FPN330A is housed in a TO-226 package (also known as TO-92), a through-hole plastic case with standardized lead spacing and mechanical footprint. The device features three terminals arranged linearly: Collector (C), Base (B), Emitter (E), with pin order C–B–E when viewed from the flat side with leads pointing downward.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN low-saturation transistor applications.

Compared with MJD31C and ZTX653, the FPN330A provides the lowest V_CE(sat) (450 mV) and highest h_FE (250) at 2 A among TO-226 NPN transistors, making it uniquely suitable for thermally constrained, high-efficiency ≤30 V switching applications.

Availability

FPN330A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC-DC converter output stages, H-bridge motor drivers, LED constant-current drivers, and industrial relay drivers requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for FPN330A 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

Fairchild Semiconductor was a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in power management, analog, and discrete devices before its acquisition by ON Semiconductor in 2016. Its legacy products remain widely deployed in industrial and automotive systems.

The FPN330A belongs to Fairchild's low-saturation NPN transistor family designed specifically for high-current, low-loss switching in cost-sensitive, thermally constrained applications such as power supplies and motor controls.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for the FPN330A?

The FPN330A is rated for 3.0 A continuous collector current (I_C) at T_A = 25°C with proper heatsinking. This rating assumes operation within the specified thermal limits and derates linearly above 25°C ambient per the R_θJA = 125°C/W specification. At 75°C ambient, the practical continuous I_C drops to approximately 2.0 A to maintain T_J ≤ 150°C. Always verify layout thermal performance in final application.

Is the FPN330A pin-compatible with the FPN330?

Yes, the FPN330A is a direct variant of the FPN330 and shares identical TO-226 package, pinout (C–B–E), and absolute maximum ratings. The primary difference lies in electrical characterization: FPN330A guarantees h_FE ≥250 and V_CE(sat) ≤450 mV at I_C = 2.0 A / I_B = 200 mA, whereas FPN330 specifies h_FE ≥100 and V_CE(sat) ≤1.0 V under the same conditions. Both are drop-in replacements in most designs.

What is the typical V_BE(sat) of the FPN330A at 1.0 A collector current?

The FPN330A exhibits a typical V_BE(sat) of 1.25 V at I_C = 1.0 A and I_B = 100 mA, as confirmed in the "ON CHARACTERISTICS" section of its datasheet. This value remains stable across temperature, ranging from ~1.15 V at 125°C to ~1.35 V at –40°C. It reflects the forward-biased base-emitter junction voltage required to sustain saturation under that specific drive condition.

Can the FPN330A be used in linear (analog) amplifier configurations?

The FPN330A is not optimized for linear amplification. Its datasheet emphasizes switching parameters (V_CE(sat), h_FE at high I_C, f_T) and lacks guaranteed small-signal linearity specs such as distortion, noise figure, or h_fe uniformity across bias points. While it can operate in Class-A or AB, thermal instability and gain variation above 100 mA make dedicated RF or audio transistors preferable for precision analog use.

Does the FPN330A meet RoHS compliance and what is its lead-free status?

The FPN330A was manufactured by Fairchild Semiconductor prior to its 2016 acquisition and predates mandatory RoHS-2 enforcement for legacy discretes. Original production lots are leaded (SnPb finish). No official RoHS-compliant reflow or Pb-free version of the FPN330A was released by Fairchild or ON Semiconductor. For new designs requiring RoHS, consider modern alternatives like the NSS30300 series or consult Aetrix for qualified drop-in replacements.