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Home > Products > Discrete Semiconductor Products > Transistors > Bipolar (BJT) > Single Bipolar Transistors

Diodes Incorporated ZTX869

Name: ZTX869
Brand: Diodes Incorporated
SKU: ZTX869
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: ZTX869

Manufacturer:: Diodes Incorporated

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: E-Line-3

Datasheet:: ZTX869.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN 25V 5A E-LINE

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:3,385

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Product details

Overview

ZTX869 from Zetex Semiconductors (now Diodes Incorporated) is an NPN silicon planar medium-power high-current transistor designed for switching and linear amplification in industrial power control circuits. It delivers 5 A continuous collector current, 25 V V_CEO, 1.2 W power dissipation at 25°C ambient, and low saturation voltage down to 25 mV at I_C=0.5 A / I_B=10 mA - used in DC-DC converter output stages and motor driver H-bridge legs.

For engineers reviewing the ZTX869 datasheet, ZTX869 pinout, ZTX869 application, or ZTX869 equivalent, key selection criteria include verified h_FE ≥250 at I_C=5 A, V_CE(sat) ≤200 mV under full-rated current, thermal resistance R_th(j-amb) = 150 °C/W on 1-inch² PCB copper, and TO-92 compatibility for legacy board replacement.

Technical Context

The ZTX869 operates as a single NPN bipolar junction transistor with base-emitter turn-on voltage of 800–900 mV at I_C=5 A and V_CE=1 V. Its gain (h_FE) remains stable across wide current range: min. 40 at I_C=20 A, typ. 400 at I_C=5 A, and up to 450 at I_C=1 A - supporting both saturated switching and analog amplification.

It features fast switching performance with t_on = 60 ns and t_off = 680 ns under I_C=1 A, V_CC=10 V, and matched base drive conditions. The device's safe operating area (SOA) supports single-pulse currents up to 20 A with pulse width ≤300 µs and duty cycle ≤2%.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	25 V - maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown under open-base condition; defines upper rail limit in 24 V industrial systems.
I_C (continuous)	5 A - sustained collector current capability; enables direct drive of solenoids or small DC motors without external buffering.
V_CE(sat) @ I_C=5 A	≤200 mV - low saturation voltage reduces conduction loss to <1 W at full load, critical for thermally constrained PCB layouts.
h_FE @ I_C=5 A	250–400 - high and stable DC current gain ensures reliable base drive margin with standard logic-level or microcontroller outputs.
P_tot @ T_amb=25°C	1.2 W - practical power rating on standard FR-4 PCB with 1-inch² copper pour; sets thermal derating baseline for enclosure design.
f_T	100 MHz - transition frequency confirms suitability for audio-frequency amplification and PWM switching up to ~10 MHz with gain margin.
R_th(j-amb)	150 °C/W - junction-to-ambient thermal resistance measured on typical PCB mount; used to calculate max. allowable ambient temperature at rated power.

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-92 (E-Line compatible, 3-306 outline), plastic encapsulated, through-hole mounting. Standard lead configuration with emitter (E), base (B), and collector (C) assigned to pins 1, 2, and 3 respectively when viewed with flat side facing user and leads downward.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Pin 1 (Emitter)	Current exit path from transistor	Connected to ground or low-side return; low-impedance path essential for minimizing V_CE(sat) and thermal rise.
Pin 2 (Base)	Control terminal for minority carrier injection	Requires 100 mA drive for full saturation at 5 A; base resistor must be sized for V_BE(sat) ≈ 950 mV and h_FE min.
Pin 3 (Collector)	Current entry path into transistor	Connected to load supply rail; electrically tied to PCB copper pour for heat spreading per thermal spec.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Low V_CE(sat) at high current	25 mV @ 0.5 A, 200 mV @ 5 A - enables >95% efficiency in low-voltage switching applications like 12 V battery-powered controls.
High h_FE stability over I_C	400 typ. @ 5 A, 100 min. @ 20 A - reduces base drive complexity and allows single-stage transistor switching without Darlington stacking.
Robust SOA with pulsed I_CM	20 A peak, 300 µs pulse width - supports inrush current handling in relay drivers and capacitor-charging circuits.
Wide operating temperature range	−55°C to +200°C junction - qualified for under-hood automotive, industrial furnace controllers, and high-reliability power supplies.
TO-92 mechanical compatibility	E-Line 3-306 footprint - enables drop-in replacement for legacy designs using ZTX851, BCX56, or similar medium-power NPNs.

Applications

Motor Control Stage

DC-DC Converter Switch

Use Scenario: Driving brushed DC motors in industrial actuators with 12–24 V supply and 3–5 A nominal load current.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: NPN switch in low-side configuration, controlled by microcontroller GPIO with base resistor network.

Use Value: Low V_CE(sat) minimizes I²R losses during continuous operation; h_FE ≥250 ensures full saturation with ≤10 mA base current.

Use Scenario: High-efficiency buck converter output stage operating at 100–500 kHz switching frequency with 5 A output current.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Power switch in non-synchronous topology, driven by gate driver IC with fast edge rates.

Use Value: 60 ns t_on and 680 ns t_off support efficient switching at 500 kHz; SOA withstands inductor current overshoot during transient load steps.

Relay Driver Circuit

Linear Regulator Pass Element

Use Scenario: Solid-state replacement for electromechanical relays controlling HVAC dampers or lighting ballasts in building automation panels.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Saturated switch interfacing between 3.3 V/5 V logic and 24 V coil loads drawing up to 4 A.

Use Value: V_CEO = 25 V safely accommodates 24 V system transients; 1.2 W P_tot allows continuous duty without heatsink on standard PCB.

Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable linear regulator delivering 5 A at 5 V from 12 V input in test equipment power supplies.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass element biased in active region, thermally coupled to aluminum chassis via TO-92 mounting tab.

Use Value: High h_FE reduces base drive error current; R_th(j-case) = 50 °C/W enables direct case-to-heatsink conduction for stable thermal regulation.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
ZTX851	Lower I_C (3 A), higher V_CE(sat) (300 mV @ 3 A), same TO-92 package	Suitable only for ≤3 A loads; less efficient at high current due to higher saturation loss	Select when lower cost and reduced thermal demand justify 40% current derating.
BCX56-16	Same I_C (5 A), lower h_FE (min. 100 @ 5 A), V_CE(sat) ≈ 350 mV @ 5 A	Requires higher base drive; less margin for gain degradation at elevated temperature	Prefer where existing BOM uses BCX56 family and thermal headroom exceeds 25°C.

Compared with ZTX851 and BCX56-16, the ZTX869 provides superior current gain and lower saturation voltage at full 5 A load - directly reducing base drive burden and conduction losses in thermally dense industrial PCBs.

Availability

ZTX869 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control stages, DC-DC converter switches, and relay driver circuits requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for ZTX869 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

Zetex Semiconductors was a UK-based analog and discrete semiconductor specialist acquired by Diodes Incorporated in 2008; known for high-performance BJTs, MOSFETs, and interface ICs targeting industrial and automotive markets.

The ZTX series was engineered specifically for robust medium-power linear and switching applications in harsh environments - emphasizing gain consistency, thermal resilience, and TO-92 reliability beyond consumer-grade equivalents.

FAQ

Is ZTX869 RoHS compliant and halogen-free?

Yes. As part of Diodes Incorporated's post-acquisition product line, ZTX869 meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and is certified halogen-free per IEC 61249-2-21. Material declarations confirm Pb-free solderability and compliance with JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level 1.

Can ZTX869 be used in parallel for higher current?

No - ZTX869 lacks built-in emitter ballasting or matched gain characteristics required for safe parallel operation. Uneven current sharing may occur due to h_FE variation and thermal runaway risk. For >5 A, use a single higher-rated device such as DXT7010 or implement external emitter resistors with tight binning.

What is the maximum allowable PCB copper area for thermal performance?

The datasheet specifies "copper equal to 1 inch square minimum" for the 1.2 W rating. Increasing copper area beyond 1 in² improves R_th(j-amb) linearly - e.g., 2 in² reduces thermal resistance by ~25%. Thermal vias to inner layers further enhance heat spreading but require validation against actual board stack-up.

Does ZTX869 have avalanche rating or ruggedness specification?

No official avalanche energy (E_AS) rating is provided in the datasheet. While V_(BR)CEO = 25 V and SOA curves cover single-pulse conditions, the device is not characterized for repetitive avalanche operation. Use external clamping (e.g., TVS diode) in inductive switching applications exceeding V_CEO.

ZTX869 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Diodes Incorporated

Series:: -

Package/Case:: E-Line-3

Packaging:: Bulk

Product Status:: Active

Transistor Type:: NPN

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 5 A

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 25 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 220mV @ 100mA, 5A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 50nA (ICBO)

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 300 @ 1A, 1V

Power - Max:: 1.2 W

Frequency - Transition:: 100MHz

Operating Temperature:: -55°C ~ 200°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: E-Line (TO-92 compatible)

ZTX869 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for ZTX869 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ZTX869 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 ZTX869 reliable?

The price and inventory of ZTX869 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ZTX869 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for ZTX869?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ZTX869 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for ZTX869?

ZTX869 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your ZTX869 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 ZTX869?

For technical support, including ZTX869 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ZTX869 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that ZTX869 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All ZTX869 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 ZTX869 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of ZTX869?

All ZTX869 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ZTX869, 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 ZTX869 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for ZTX869:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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