Nexperia USA Inc. PBSS301NX-QX
- Part No.:
- PBSS301NX-QX
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-243AA
- Datasheet:
-
PBSS301NX-QX.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS NPN 12V 5.3A SOT-89
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,125
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Product details
Overview
PBSS301NX-QX from Nexperia is an AEC-Q101-qualified NPN low VCEsat transistor in SOT89 package, rated for 12 V VCEO, 5.3 A continuous collector current, and 28–40 mΩ RCEsat at IC = 4 A / IB = 200 mA. It serves as a high-efficiency power switch in automotive DC-DC converters and motor control stages where thermal performance and PCB space are constrained.
For engineers reviewing the PBSS301NX-QX datasheet, PBSS301NX-QX pinout, PBSS301NX-QX application, or PBSS301NX-QX equivalent, key selection criteria include its low saturation resistance, AEC-Q101 qualification, SOT89 thermal footprint, and verified performance under pulsed 4 A / 200 mA drive conditions at Tamb = 25 °C.
Technical Context
This device operates as a discrete NPN bipolar junction transistor optimized for switching-specifically in saturated mode-where minimal VCEsat reduces conduction loss and heat generation. Its design targets automotive-grade reliability with junction temperature up to 150 °C and storage temperature range of −65 to +150 °C.
The SOT89 package provides enhanced thermal dissipation over standard SOT23, supporting 2.1 W on ceramic PCB (Al2O3) and 1.65 W on FR4 with extended collector pad. Transient thermal impedance data confirms stable operation under short-pulse loads (tp ≤ 1 ms, δ ≤ 0.02), critical for gate driving and charging circuit duty cycles.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO | 12 V - Maximum safe collector-emitter voltage with base open; defines maximum system rail compatibility in 12 V automotive networks. |
| IC | 5.3 A - Continuous DC collector current rating; supports sustained load switching in fan/motor drivers without derating at Tamb ≤ 25 °C. |
| RCEsat | 28–40 mΩ - Measured at IC = 4 A / IB = 200 mA; enables <170 mW conduction loss per device, reducing heatsink requirements. |
| hFE | 200–340 - DC current gain at IC = 6 A; ensures robust saturation with moderate base drive, simplifying driver stage design. |
| Tj max | 150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; validated per AEC-Q101 stress testing for automotive under-hood deployment. |
| Ptot (ceramic) | 2.1 W - Total power dissipation on Al2O3 PCB; enables higher ambient operation than FR4-limited variants in compact modules. |
Pinout & Package
SOT89 (SC-62/TO-243) plastic surface-mount package: 3-lead, 1.5 mm pitch, 4.5 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm body; collector tab thermally and electrically connected to Pin 2 for direct PCB copper pour attachment.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emitter (E) | Current return path; internally bonded to emitter die region; requires low-impedance ground plane connection for stable switching. |
| 2 | Collector (C) | Main power output terminal; metal tab forms thermal and electrical interface to PCB copper; must be soldered to ≥6 cm² FR4 pad or ceramic substrate. |
| 3 | Base (B) | Control input; accepts 200 mA pulsed drive to achieve full saturation at 4 A collector current; sensitive to ESD per AEC-Q101 Class 2. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low VCEsat | 140–200 mV at IC = 5.3 A / IB = 265 mA - Reduces conduction loss by >40% vs. standard BJT alternatives, directly lowering thermal load in space-constrained modules. |
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Stress-tested per Automotive Electronics Council standard - Confirms suitability for engine control units, body electronics, and ADAS power stages without additional qualification overhead. |
| High hFE at high IC | 340 typical at IC = 6 A - Enables use of smaller, lower-cost base drive circuitry while maintaining deep saturation across operating temperature range. |
| Thermal efficiency | Rth(j-sp) = 20 K/W - Low junction-to-solder-point resistance allows rapid heat transfer to PCB, supporting higher pulse-current capability without thermal runaway. |
Applications
| DC-DC Conversion | MOSFET Gate Driving |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Step-down converter in automotive infotainment power supply, switching at 250 kHz with 12 V input. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary low-side switch controlling energy transfer to output inductor; operates in hard-saturation mode during on-time. Use Value: 28 mΩ RCEsat limits conduction loss to <60 mW at 4 A, enabling >92% efficiency without forced air cooling. |
Use Scenario: High-current gate driver for 40 V N-channel MOSFET in electric power steering (EPS) H-bridge. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Active pull-down switch discharging MOSFET gate capacitance rapidly during turn-off transition. Use Value: 270 ns turn-off time and 10.6 A peak current rating support <100 ns dead-time control, preventing shoot-through. |
| Motor Control | Charging Circuits |
Use Scenario: PWM-controlled 12 V brushed DC motor in HVAC blower assembly. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-side current switch modulating motor winding current at 20 kHz; handles continuous 5.3 A stall current. Use Value: 150 °C Tj rating and AEC-Q101 qualification ensure reliable operation at under-dash temperatures up to 105 °C ambient. |
Use Scenario: Constant-current switch in USB-C PD 12 V battery charging path for automotive telematics module. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision current regulator element controlling charge current via feedback to controller IC. Use Value: Tight VCEsat tolerance (±20%) and stable hFE across −40 to +125 °C enable ±3% current regulation accuracy without trimming. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN low VCEsat transistor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| ON Semiconductor NSS30101MZ4T1G | VCEO = 12 V, IC = 4.5 A, RCEsat = 35–50 mΩ - Lower current rating and higher saturation resistance. | Not qualified to AEC-Q101; rated for industrial, not automotive, temperature range. | Acceptable for non-automotive 12 V systems where cost is prioritized over thermal margin and qualification. |
| Diodes Incorporated DXTN3010P5-7 | VCEO = 12 V, IC = 5.5 A, RCEsat = 25–38 mΩ - Slightly lower RCEsat, but uses SOT223 package with higher Rth(j-a). | SOT223 offers larger thermal pad but less board-area efficiency than SOT89; no AEC-Q101 documentation publicly available. | Preferred when higher peak power handling is needed and PCB layout allows larger footprint; verify qualification status before automotive use. |
Compared with NSS30101MZ4T1G and DXTN3010P5-7, PBSS301NX-QX delivers superior thermal performance in minimal area (SOT89), guaranteed AEC-Q101 compliance, and tighter RCEsat consistency-making it the optimal choice for space- and reliability-critical automotive power switches.
Availability
PBSS301NX-QX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive DC-DC conversion, motor control, and charging circuits requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q101 traceability, and consistent low-VCEsat performance across production lots.
Supply support for PBSS301NX-QX 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 essential semiconductors, delivering high-performance, reliable components for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets with emphasis on efficiency and miniaturization.
PBSS301NX-QX belongs to Nexperia's Automotive Qualified Low VCEsat Transistor product line, engineered specifically for high-current, thermally constrained switching in 12 V vehicle subsystems including body control, ADAS, and electrified powertrain interfaces.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?
The datasheet specifies IB = 265 mA for IC = 5.3 A under pulsed conditions (tp ≤ 300 µs). For continuous DC operation, base current must be limited to maintain Tj ≤ 150 °C - typically ≤150 mA with adequate PCB copper area, as confirmed by thermal derating curves in Figure 1 for ceramic and FR4 substrates.
Can PBSS301NX-QX replace a MOSFET in low-voltage switching applications?
No - it is a bipolar transistor requiring sustained base current to remain saturated, unlike MOSFETs with voltage-driven gates. However, it outperforms many small-signal MOSFETs in RDS(on) at low VDS (<2 V) and high current due to its ultra-low RCEsat, making it preferable where gate drive complexity or cost outweighs the need for zero-gate-current operation.
Is the SOT89 package lead-free and RoHS compliant?
Yes - PBSS301NX-QX is manufactured using lead-free solderable terminations and complies with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, as documented in Nexperia's official compliance statements and material declarations.
How does the PNP complement PBSS301PX-Q differ electrically?
PBSS301PX-Q shares identical VCEO (12 V), IC (5.3 A), RCEsat (28–40 mΩ), and AEC-Q101 qualification, but operates as a PNP device with reversed polarity - emitter connects to supply rail, collector to load. This enables complementary push-pull or high-side switching configurations where NPN alone cannot function.
PBSS301NX-QX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Nexperia USA Inc.
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-243AA
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Transistor Type:
- NPN
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 5.3 A
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 12 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 200mV @ 265mA, 5.3A
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 100nA (ICBO)
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 300 @ 1A, 2V
- Power - Max:
- 600 mW
- Frequency - Transition:
- 140MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-89
PBSS301NX-QX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PBSS301NX-QX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PBSS301NX-QX 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 PBSS301NX-QX reliable?
The price and inventory of PBSS301NX-QX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PBSS301NX-QX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PBSS301NX-QX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PBSS301NX-QX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PBSS301NX-QX?
PBSS301NX-QX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PBSS301NX-QX 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 PBSS301NX-QX?
For technical support, including PBSS301NX-QX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PBSS301NX-QX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PBSS301NX-QX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PBSS301NX-QX 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 PBSS301NX-QX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PBSS301NX-QX?
All PBSS301NX-QX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PBSS301NX-QX, 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 PBSS301NX-QX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PBSS301NX-QX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
PBSS301NX-QX Tags

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