2N5551,116 NPN Bipolar Junction Transistor Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 2N5551,116 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by NXP USA Inc., designed for general-purpose small-signal amplification and switching applications. This device features a maximum collector current of 300 mA, collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 160 V, and operates at frequencies up to 300 MHz in a through-hole TO-92-3 package.

The 2N5551,116 is classified as obsolete. Substitute parts are necessary to maintain design continuity and ensure component availability for new production runs, repairs, and system upgrades. Equivalent devices must maintain electrical compatibility across critical parameters including voltage ratings, current capacity, gain characteristics, and package form factor.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Maximum Collector Current (Ic)	300	mA
Collector-Emitter Breakdown Voltage (VCEO)	160	V
Vce Saturation @ Ib, Ic	200 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	—
Collector Cutoff Current (ICBO)	50	nA
DC Current Gain (hFE) @ Ic, Vce	80 @ 10 mA, 5 V	—
Maximum Power Dissipation	630	mW
Transition Frequency (fT)	300	MHz
Operating Temperature (TJ)	150	°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 2N5551,116 is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Transistor type must be NPN
Collector-emitter breakdown voltage (VCEO) must be ≥ 160 V
Maximum collector current (Ic) must be ≥ 300 mA
DC current gain (hFE) must be ≥ 80 @ 10 mA, 5 V
Vce saturation must be ≤ 200 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA
Collector cutoff current (ICBO) must be ≤ 50 nA
Transition frequency (fT) must be ≥ 300 MHz
Maximum power dissipation must be ≥ 630 mW
Package must be TO-92-3 through-hole or equivalent surface-mount alternative
RoHS3 compliance required

Substitute Parts Identified:

Group 1: Through-Hole TO-92-3 Direct Replacements (Higher Current Capacity)

2N5550TA (Fairchild Semiconductor)
2N5550TAR (onsemi)
2N5550TFR (Fairchild Semiconductor)
2N5551TA (onsemi)
2N5551TF (onsemi)
2N5551TFR (onsemi)
2N5551YTA (onsemi)

Group 2: Surface-Mount Alternatives (SOT-23 and SOT-323 Packages)

PMBT5551,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) — TO-236AB package
PMBT5551,235 (Nexperia USA Inc.) — TO-236AB package
PMST5551,115 (Nexperia USA Inc.) — SOT-323 package

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Ic (Max) mA	VCEO (Max) V	hFE @ 10mA, 5V	fT MHz	Power mW	Package	Status
2N5551,116	NXP USA Inc.	300	160	80	300	630	TO-92-3	Obsolete
2N5550TA	Fairchild Semiconductor	600	140	60	300	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5550TAR	onsemi	600	140	60	300	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5550TFR	Fairchild Semiconductor	600	140	60	300	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5551TA	onsemi	600	160	80	100	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5551TF	onsemi	600	160	80	100	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5551TFR	onsemi	600	160	80	100	625	TO-92-3	Active
2N5551YTA	onsemi	600	160	180	100	625	TO-92-3	Last Time Buy
PMBT5551,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	300	160	80	300	250	TO-236AB	Active
PMBT5551,235	Nexperia USA Inc.	300	160	80	300	250	TO-236AB	Active
PMST5551,115	Nexperia USA Inc.	300	160	80	300	200	SOT-323	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Through-Hole PCB Designs (Direct Package Compatibility):

The 2N5551TF, 2N5551TFR, and 2N5551TA manufactured by onsemi are the primary recommended substitutes. These devices maintain identical electrical specifications to the original 2N5551,116 (160 V VCEO, 80 hFE minimum, 300 MHz fT) while offering higher collector current capacity (600 mA vs. 300 mA). All three are classified as Active products with ROHS3 compliance and are available in high inventory quantities. The 2N5551TF and 2N5551TFR variants are preferred due to superior inventory availability (49,944 and 8,408 units respectively).

The 2N5550 series (2N5550TA, 2N5550TAR, 2N5550TFR) provides an alternative with reduced VCEO (140 V) and lower hFE (60 minimum). These are suitable only for applications where the 160 V rating is not required and where the lower gain can be accommodated through circuit design adjustments.

The 2N5551YTA is classified as Last Time Buy and should be avoided for new designs despite its higher hFE specification (180 minimum).

For Surface-Mount PCB Designs (Package Conversion):

The PMBT5551,215 and PMBT5551,235 (Nexperia USA Inc.) in TO-236AB (SOT-23) package provide electrical equivalence with identical specifications (160 V, 80 hFE, 300 MHz) but reduced power dissipation (250 mW vs. 630 mW). These are suitable for low-power applications and modern surface-mount assembly processes. Both variants are Active products with ROHS3 compliance.

The PMST5551,115 (Nexperia USA Inc.) in SOT-323 package offers the most compact form factor with identical electrical specifications but further reduced power dissipation (200 mW). This device carries AEC-Q101 automotive qualification and is suitable for space-constrained applications.

Compliance and Certification:

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH Unaffected status, matching the original part's regulatory requirements. All devices are classified as EAR99 for export control purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can the 2N5550 series replace the 2N5551,116 in all applications?

The 2N5550 series (140 V VCEO) can replace the 2N5551,116 only in applications where the circuit operates below 140 V. The original 2N5551,116 is rated for 160 V operation. If your circuit requires the full 160 V rating, use the 2N5551 series substitutes instead. The 2N5550 also has lower DC current gain (60 vs. 80), which may require circuit redesign.

Q2: What is the difference between 2N5551TF, 2N5551TFR, and 2N5551TA?

All three are onsemi-manufactured NPN transistors with identical electrical specifications (160 V, 600 mA, 80 hFE, 100 MHz fT). The differences are in packaging format: TF and TFR are supplied in Cut Tape format, while TA is supplied in Cut Tape (CT) format. The "R" suffix typically indicates tape and reel packaging. For PCB assembly, all three are functionally equivalent.

Q3: Can I use surface-mount PMBT5551 or PMST5551 devices as direct replacements for the through-hole 2N5551,116?

No, not without PCB redesign. The PMBT5551 and PMST5551 are surface-mount devices in SOT-23 and SOT-323 packages respectively, while the 2N5551,116 is a through-hole TO-92-3 device. However, they provide electrical equivalence and can be used in new designs or when PCB layout is modified to accommodate surface-mount components. The pin configurations differ between packages.

Q4: Why do some substitutes have lower power dissipation ratings (250 mW or 200 mW vs. 630 mW)?

Power dissipation ratings reflect the thermal characteristics of the package type. Surface-mount packages (SOT-23, SOT-323) have smaller physical dimensions and lower thermal mass compared to through-hole packages (TO-92-3), resulting in lower maximum power dissipation specifications. For applications requiring the full 630 mW dissipation capability, use through-hole TO-92-3 substitutes.

Q5: Is the 2N5551YTA suitable for new designs?

No. The 2N5551YTA is classified as Last Time Buy, indicating that the manufacturer will discontinue production. While it offers higher DC current gain (180 vs. 80), it should not be selected for new designs. Use 2N5551TF, 2N5551TFR, or 2N5551TA instead.

Q6: What does "ROHS3 Compliant" mean for component selection?

ROHS3 (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 3) compliance indicates that the component meets European environmental regulations restricting the use of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance, ensuring compatibility with modern manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements.

Q7: Can I mix different substitute part numbers in the same production batch?

Yes, provided they are from the same electrical equivalence group. For example, 2N5551TF, 2N5551TFR, and 2N5551TA are electrically identical and can be used interchangeably. However, mixing parts from different groups (e.g., 2N5551 series with 2N5550 series) is not recommended without circuit analysis, as the 2N5550 has different voltage and gain specifications.

Q8: What inventory considerations should I account for when selecting a substitute?

Current inventory levels vary significantly: 2N5551TF has 49,944 units available, while 2N5551YTA has only 10,400 units. For long-term production, prioritize parts with higher inventory and Active product status. The 2N5550TAR (onsemi) offers the highest inventory availability at 47,300 units if voltage derating is acceptable for your application.

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