Nexperia USA Inc. PXTA42,115

Overview

PXTA42,115 from Nexperia is a 300 V, 100 mA NPN high-voltage transistor in SOT89 (SC-62) surface-mount package, designed for switching applications requiring high breakdown voltage and medium power handling. It delivers DC current gain (h_FE) of 40 at V_CE = 10 V and I_C = 30 mA, with V_CE(sat) ≤ 500 mV and f_T = 50 MHz, and is used in electronic ballasts, LED chain drivers, and SMPS primary-side switching.

For engineers reviewing the PXTA42,115 datasheet, PXTA42,115 pinout, PXTA42,115 application, or PXTA42,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include verified V_CEO = 300 V, I_C = 100 mA continuous rating, SOT89 thermal resistance R_th(j-sp) = 16 K/W, and confirmed pin configuration (Emitter–Collector–Base on pins 1–2–3).

Technical Context

This NPN bipolar junction transistor operates as a high-voltage switch in off-line power conversion stages. Its 300 V V_CEO and 200 mA I_CM peak rating support robust operation under transient overvoltage conditions in fluorescent ballasts and HID lighting circuits.

The device features low V_CE(sat) (≤ 500 mV) and V_BE(sat) (≤ 900 mV) at I_C = 20 mA / I_B = 2 mA, enabling efficient saturation in low-duty-cycle switching topologies. Its 3 pF C_re and 50 MHz f_T support stable high-frequency switching up to several hundred kHz in SMPS designs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT89 (SC-62) plastic surface-mount package: 3 leads, 1.5 mm pitch, 4.5 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm body, with exposed collector tab for thermal conduction to PCB.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-voltage NPN switching applications.

Compared with BCX56-16,115 and BUJ302A,115, PXTA42,115 uniquely balances 300 V capability, SOT89 thermal performance, and 100 mA rating for space-constrained, medium-voltage auxiliary switching-filling a gap between low-voltage general-purpose transistors and high-power through-hole devices.

Availability

PXTA42,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for electronic ballasts, LED chain drivers, and auxiliary SMPS requiring stable component supply with non-automotive qualification and consistent SOT89 sourcing.

Supply support for PXTA42,115 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 leading global semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, specializing in high-performance, high-reliability discrete and logic devices for industrial, computing, and consumer markets.

PXTA42,115 belongs to Nexperia's high-voltage bipolar transistor product line, engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, thermally constrained off-line switching applications where voltage robustness and SMT manufacturability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable base current for PXTA42,115?

The absolute maximum peak base current (I_BM) is 100 mA, as specified in Table 5 (Limiting values). Continuous base current must be sized to maintain I_C ≤ 100 mA and junction temperature ≤ 150 °C. For safe linear operation, base drive should be limited to ≤ 10 mA DC with appropriate series resistance to avoid thermal runaway under worst-case h_FE and ambient conditions.

Can PXTA42,115 replace PXTA92 in a circuit?

No - PXTA92 is the PNP complement to PXTA42 and has opposite polarity, requiring reversed biasing and complementary circuit topology. Swapping them would result in immediate failure due to incorrect emitter-base-collector voltage polarity and current direction. They are intended for complementary pair configurations (e.g., push-pull), not substitution.

Is PXTA42,115 qualified for automotive applications?

No - per Section 13 revision history and Legal Information, PXTA42,115 is explicitly designated as non-automotive qualified. It lacks AEC-Q101 stress testing and automotive-grade screening. For automotive use, Nexperia offers automotive-qualified variants (e.g., PXTA42-Q series), which must be selected separately and verified against vehicle-specific requirements.

What PCB layout guidance applies to the SOT89 thermal pad of PXTA42,115?

The collector tab (pin 2) must be soldered to a minimum 6 cm² single-sided copper pad on FR4, tin-plated, per Table 6 thermal characteristics. Reflow footprint dimensions are defined in Figure 2 (sot089_fr): 4.75 mm × 2.25 mm pad with 0.7 mm solder mask opening. Avoid thermal vias directly under the pad unless validated for R_th(j-a) impact, as they may compromise mechanical reliability during thermal cycling.