Diodes Incorporated ZTX792ASTOB

Overview

ZTX792ASTOB from Diodes Incorporated is a PNP silicon planar medium-power high-gain bipolar junction transistor (BJT) designed for switching and linear amplification in low-voltage, moderate-current applications. It delivers V_CEO = −70 V, h_FE = 300–800 at I_C = −10 mA to −1 A, V_CE(sat) = −0.45 V (typ.) at I_C = −500 mA/I_B = −5 mA, and operates across −55°C to +200°C junction temperature. It is commonly used in Darlington pairs and battery-powered motor drivers.

For engineers reviewing the ZTX792ASTOB datasheet, ZTX792ASTOB pinout, ZTX792ASTOB application, or ZTX792ASTOB equivalent, key selection criteria include its −70 V V_CEO, low −0.45 V saturation voltage at moderate current, high DC gain stability up to 1 A, TO-92-compatible E-Line package thermal performance, and suitability for pulsed switching in flash converters and portable power stages.

Technical Context

This PNP BJT employs a planar epitaxial structure optimized for high current gain and low saturation voltage under medium-power conditions. Its f_T = 100 MHz at I_C = −50 mA/V_CE = −5 V supports fast switching, while C_ibo = 225 pF and C_obo = 22 pF indicate moderate capacitance suitable for <100 kHz–1 MHz switching topologies.

The device is rated for continuous I_C = −2 A and peak pulse I_CM = −4 A, with P_tot = 1.5 W on PCB (1 in² copper) and R_th(j-amb) = 175°C/W (free air) or 116°C/W (PCB-mounted), enabling reliable operation in thermally constrained battery-powered circuits without forced cooling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-92-compatible E-Line (3-lead, plastic, through-hole). Mounting requires minimum 1 in² copper area on PCB for rated power dissipation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP medium-power switching applications.

Compared with ZTX792ASTOB, ZTX752STOB trades voltage headroom and efficiency for lower cost, while MPSA92 sacrifices gain and switching speed for extreme voltage tolerance-neither offers drop-in functional equivalence in medium-power, high-gain switching roles.

Availability

ZTX792ASTOB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for camera flash inverters, battery-powered motor drivers, Darlington input stages, and low-power linear regulator pass elements requiring stable component supply and consistent TO-92-compatible mechanical fit.

Supply support for ZTX792ASTOB 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, specializing in high-reliability, application-optimized components for power management, signal integrity, and protection.

ZTX792ASTOB belongs to Diodes' ZTX series of high-gain, medium-power BJTs engineered for efficiency-critical switching and amplification in portable, automotive, and industrial equipment where thermal and electrical performance must be balanced in compact through-hole packages.

FAQ

Is ZTX792ASTOB RoHS compliant and lead-free?

Yes, ZTX792ASTOB is RoHS compliant and features lead-free terminations per Diodes Incorporated's standard qualification. The device meets JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 1 and is compatible with standard SnPb and lead-free reflow profiles when mounted on PCB with recommended copper area.

What is the maximum safe continuous collector current at 70°C ambient?

At T_amb = 70°C, derating from P_tot = 1.5 W (25°C) at 5.7 mW/°C yields P_avail ≈ 1.24 W. Using V_CE(sat) ≈ −0.5 V at I_C = −1 A, max continuous I_C ≈ 2.5 A is thermally unsafe; practical limit is ~1.8 A with adequate PCB copper, verified via junction temperature calculation using R_th(j-amb) = 116°C/W.

Can ZTX792ASTOB replace ZTX790A in existing designs?

ZTX792ASTOB is a direct upgrade to ZTX790A: both share identical TO-92 pinout (E-B-C), V_CEO = −70 V, and similar gain range, but ZTX792A specifies tighter V_CE(sat) (−0.45 V vs. −0.5 V typ.) and higher f_T (100 MHz vs. 80 MHz), improving efficiency and switching fidelity without layout changes.

Does the "STOB" suffix indicate tape-and-reel packaging?

Yes, the "STOB" suffix denotes that ZTX792ASTOB is supplied in tape-and-reel format (standard 2000 pcs/reel), optimized for automated SMT placement despite being a through-hole device-compatible with selective soldering and wave soldering processes when used with carrier tape feeders.