2SA812-M5-AP Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 2SA812-M5-AP is a PNP bipolar junction transistor manufactured by Micro Commercial Co, designed for surface mount applications in the SOT-23 package. This component operates at a maximum collector current of 100 mA with a collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 50 V and a maximum power dissipation of 200 mW. The device is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of equivalent substitute components that maintain functional compatibility within modern supply chains while preserving circuit performance specifications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	PNP	—
Current - Collector (Ic) Max	100	mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	50	V
Power - Max	200	mW
Frequency - Transition	180	MHz
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C
Package / Case	SOT-23-3 (TO-236-3, SC-59)	—
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 2SA812-M5-AP is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Substitution Criteria:

Transistor polarity must remain PNP
Collector current rating must equal or exceed 100 mA
Collector-emitter breakdown voltage must equal or exceed 50 V
Package must be SOT-23-3 (TO-236-3, SC-59) for mechanical compatibility
Mounting type must be surface mount
RoHS3 compliance required
Moisture sensitivity level must be 1 (Unlimited)

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

Power dissipation rating (minimum 200 mW)
Transition frequency (minimum 180 MHz preferred)
Operating temperature range (minimum -55°C to 150°C)
DC current gain (hFE) characteristics
Saturation voltage characteristics

All identified substitute parts meet the critical substitution criteria. Variations in secondary parameters reflect different manufacturer specifications and do not preclude functional equivalence in standard circuit applications.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	2SA812-M5-AP	BC857B,215	BC857B-7-F	BC857CLT1G	BC860B,215	BC860BE6327HTSA1	BCW70LT1G	BCX71J,215
Manufacturer	Micro Commercial Co	Nexperia USA Inc.	Diodes Incorporated	onsemi	Nexperia USA Inc.	Infineon Technologies	onsemi	Nexperia USA Inc.
Transistor Type	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP
Ic (Max) [mA]	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100
Vce Breakdown (Max) [V]	50	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
Power - Max [mW]	200	250	300	300	250	330	225	250
Frequency - Transition [MHz]	180	100	200	100	100	250	—	100
Operating Temperature [°C]	-55 to 150	to 150	-65 to 150	-55 to 150	to 150	to 150	-55 to 150	to 150
Package / Case	SOT-23-3	TO-236-3	SOT-23-3	SOT-23-3	TO-236-3	SOT-23-3	SOT-23-3	TO-236-3
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
MSL	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Last Time Buy	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Active Status, Full Availability):

BC857B-7-F (Diodes Incorporated) is the preferred substitute for new designs and production restocking. This component maintains the SOT-23-3 package format, exceeds the original 200 mW power rating at 300 mW, and provides superior transition frequency performance at 200 MHz compared to the original 180 MHz specification. The device is actively manufactured with extensive inventory availability (80,300 pcs).

BC857CLT1G (onsemi) and BC857B,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) are functionally equivalent alternatives with active product status. Both devices meet all critical substitution criteria and maintain RoHS3 compliance. BC857CLT1G offers enhanced DC current gain characteristics (420 @ 2mA, 5V) and operates across the full temperature range (-55°C to 150°C).

Secondary Substitutes (Active Status, Specialized Applications):

BC860B,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) and BCX71J,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) are automotive-grade alternatives qualified to AEC-Q101 standards. These components are suitable for applications requiring automotive-level reliability and traceability. Both maintain active product status with substantial inventory levels.

BC860BE6327HTSA1 (Infineon Technologies) provides the highest power dissipation rating at 330 mW and superior transition frequency at 250 MHz. This component is classified as Last Time Buy, indicating limited future availability. Selection of this part is appropriate only when existing inventory commitments or design-specific performance requirements justify the supply chain risk.

Tertiary Substitute (Specialized Characteristics):

BCW70LT1G (onsemi) exhibits lower saturation voltage characteristics (300 mV @ 500 µA, 10 mA) compared to standard BC857/BC860 series devices. This component is suitable for applications requiring enhanced switching performance or lower power dissipation in saturation mode. Transition frequency specification is not provided for this device.

Substitution Constraints:

All substitute parts operate at a maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 45 V, which is 5 V lower than the original 2SA812-M5-AP specification of 50 V. Circuit designs operating near the 50 V maximum rating require verification that actual operating voltages remain within the 45 V limit of substitute components.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC857B-7-F directly replace 2SA812-M5-AP in existing circuit boards?

A: Yes. Both components use the SOT-23-3 package with identical pinout (TO-236-3, SC-59). Pin-for-pin substitution is mechanically and electrically compatible. The BC857B-7-F meets or exceeds all critical electrical parameters required for functional equivalence.

Q: What is the significance of the 50 V versus 45 V breakdown voltage difference?

A: The 2SA812-M5-AP is rated for 50 V maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage, while all substitute parts are rated at 45 V. In applications where the transistor operates near maximum voltage ratings, this 5 V difference must be considered. For typical applications operating well below maximum ratings, this difference has no practical impact. Circuit designers must verify that actual operating voltages remain within the 45 V specification of substitute components.

Q: Why are some substitute parts listed as "Last Time Buy" or "Obsolete"?

A: Product status reflects manufacturer supply commitments. Active status indicates ongoing production and indefinite availability. Last Time Buy indicates the manufacturer has announced final production, with limited inventory remaining. Obsolete status indicates production has ceased. For new designs and long-term production requirements, selection of Active status components (BC857B-7-F, BC857CLT1G, BC857B,215, BC860B,215, BCW70LT1G, BCX71J,215) is recommended.

Q: Are automotive-grade substitutes required for all applications?

A: No. Automotive-grade qualification (AEC-Q101) is required only for automotive applications or systems requiring automotive-level reliability documentation. BC860B,215 and BCX71J,215 provide this qualification. For general industrial and consumer applications, standard-grade alternatives (BC857B-7-F, BC857CLT1G) are appropriate and typically offer better availability and cost efficiency.

Q: What packaging options are available for these substitute parts?

A: All substitute parts are available in surface mount SOT-23-3 (TO-236-3, SC-59) package format, matching the original component. Packaging variations listed (Cut Tape, Digi-Reel, Tape & Reel) refer to supply format and do not affect component specifications or circuit compatibility. Selection of packaging format depends on procurement and assembly requirements.

Q: How do transition frequency differences affect circuit performance?

A: The 2SA812-M5-AP specifies 180 MHz transition frequency. Substitute parts range from 100 MHz (BC857B,215, BC857CLT1G, BC860B,215, BCX71J,215) to 250 MHz (BC860BE6327HTSA1). Higher transition frequency provides improved high-frequency performance and faster switching characteristics. Lower transition frequency is conservative and suitable for applications not requiring high-speed operation. For most standard switching and amplification circuits, transition frequency differences within this range do not affect functional performance.

Q: Is RoHS3 compliance maintained across all substitute parts?

A: Yes. All identified substitute parts maintain RoHS3 compliance, matching the original 2SA812-M5-AP specification. Moisture sensitivity level (MSL) is uniformly rated at 1 (Unlimited) across all components, indicating no moisture sensitivity restrictions for storage or handling.

Q: What is the difference between BC857 and BC860 series devices?

A: BC857 and BC860 series are both PNP transistors in SOT-23 packages with identical electrical ratings (45 V, 100 mA). The primary distinction is manufacturing source and qualification level. BC860 devices from Nexperia are available in automotive-grade (AEC-Q101) variants. Both series are functionally equivalent for standard applications. Selection between series depends on supply availability, cost, and automotive qualification requirements.

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