Nexperia USA Inc. PMBTA56,235

Overview

PMBTA56 from Nexperia is a PNP general-purpose bipolar junction transistor in SOT23 package, rated for −80 V V_CEO, −500 mA I_C, and 100 minimum h_FE at −10 mA collector current. It serves as a low-power switching and amplification device in telephony interfaces, line drivers, and signal conditioning circuits where compact size and reliable DC gain are required.

For engineers reviewing the PMBTA56 datasheet, PMBTA56 pinout, PMBTA56 application, or PMBTA56 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, terminal mapping, thermal limits, real-world use cases, and validated alternative transistors - all aligned with Nexperia's April 2023 product data sheet.

Technical Context

The PMBTA56 operates as a silicon PNP BJT with open-base collector-emitter breakdown voltage of −80 V and emitter-base breakdown voltage of −5 V, supporting robust operation in negative-rail bias configurations. Its DC current gain (h_FE) remains stable across −40 °C to +150 °C ambient range, with typical values of 100 at −10 mA and −100 mA collector currents.

Thermal resistance from junction to ambient is 500 K/W on standard FR4 PCB, limiting continuous power dissipation to 250 mW at T_amb ≤ 25 °C. Saturation performance is characterized at I_C/I_B = 10, delivering V_CE(sat) ≤ −0.25 V and V_BE(sat) ≤ −1.2 V under −100 mA load conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23 plastic surface-mount package (2.9 mm × 1.3 mm × 1.0 mm body, 1.9 mm lead pitch), optimized for automated reflow assembly and space-constrained PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP general-purpose transistor applications.

Compared with BC807-40 and MMBT5401, the PMBTA56 offers balanced trade-offs: sufficient −80 V rating for telecom line cards, guaranteed h_FE ≥ 100 for predictable biasing, and proven thermal behavior on standard FR4 - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, volume-manufactured signal-path applications.

Availability

PMBTA56 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telephony interface modules, industrial sensor signal chains, LED status indicators, and negative-rail logic translation requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for PMBTA56 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 leadership in automotive, industrial, and consumer power management solutions.

The PMBTA56 belongs to Nexperia's general-purpose transistor family designed specifically for cost-effective, space-efficient switching and amplification in non-automotive industrial and communications equipment.

FAQ

Is PMBTA56 suitable for automotive applications?

No. The PMBTA56 is explicitly designated as non-automotive qualified in Nexperia's April 2023 data sheet. It lacks AEC-Q101 qualification, automotive-grade screening, and extended temperature validation beyond −40 °C to +150 °C. For automotive use, select the PMBTA56-Q series or other AEC-Q101 certified PNP transistors.

What is the maximum allowable base current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum peak base current is −200 mA (single pulse, t_p ≤ 1 ms), but for continuous DC operation, base current must be limited to ensure I_C ≤ −500 mA and P_tot ≤ 250 mW. At I_C = −100 mA and h_FE = 100, recommended I_B is −1 mA; higher values require thermal derating per R_th(j-a) = 500 K/W.

Can PMBTA56 replace PMBTA06 in a circuit?

No - PMBTA06 is the NPN complement of PMBTA56, not a functional substitute. Swapping them would invert circuit polarity and likely cause failure. They share identical SOT23 pinout (B-E-C), but their current flow direction, biasing polarity, and voltage reference relationships are opposite. Use only as matched pair in complementary designs.

Does PMBTA56 have built-in ESD protection?

No. The datasheet does not specify any integrated ESD protection structures. Input terminals (base, emitter, collector) are susceptible to electrostatic discharge damage per human-body model (HBM). Standard ESD handling protocols (grounded workstations, ionizers, wrist straps) and board-level TVS diodes are required during assembly and operation.