BC337-116 NPN Bipolar Transistor Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BC337-116 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by NXP USA Inc., rated for 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 500 mA maximum collector current. This device is packaged in TO-92-3 (TO-226AA) through-hole configuration with a maximum power dissipation of 625 mW and transition frequency of 100 MHz.

The BC337-116 is classified as obsolete. Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary to maintain design continuity and ensure component availability for new production and field replacements. Substitute devices must maintain electrical compatibility within the specified parameter ranges while meeting current manufacturing and compliance standards.

Key Parameters

Parameter	BC337-116 Specification
Transistor Type	NPN
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45 V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	500 mA
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	700 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	100 @ 100 mA, 1 V
Power - Max	625 mW
Frequency - Transition	100 MHz
Operating Temperature (TJ)	150°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA) Formed Leads
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	100 nA (ICBO)
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the BC337-116 is determined by the following critical electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Transistor Type: NPN (required match)
Package / Case: TO-92-3 or TO-226-3 through-hole configuration (required match)
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max): Equal to or greater than 45 V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max): Equal to or greater than 500 mA
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic: Equal to or less than 700 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce: Equal to or greater than 100 @ 100 mA, 1 V
Power - Max: Equal to or greater than 625 mW
Operating Temperature: Equal to or greater than 150°C (TJ)
RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status: REACH Unaffected

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on electrical performance:

Category A - Direct Electrical Equivalents (45 V, 500+ mA): Parts that meet or exceed all primary electrical specifications of the BC337-116, including voltage rating, current capability, saturation voltage, and gain characteristics.

Category B - Reduced Current Capability (40 V, 200-600 mA): Parts with lower collector-emitter breakdown voltage (40 V instead of 45 V) or reduced maximum collector current. These parts are suitable for applications where the full 45 V rating is not required and current demands do not exceed the substitute part's rating.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	BC337-116	2N3416 PBFREE	2N3417 APM PBFREE	2N3904TA	2N3904TF	2N3904TFR	2N4401TA	2N4401TF	2N4401TFR	BC337-AP	BC33716TA
Transistor Type	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45 V	50 V	50 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	45 V	45 V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	500 mA	—	500 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA	600 mA	600 mA	600 mA	800 mA	800 mA
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	700 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA	—	300 mV @ 3 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	750 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA	750 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA	750 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA	700 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA	700 mV @ 50 mA, 500 mA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	100 @ 100 mA, 1 V	75 @ 2 mA, 4.5 V	180 @ 2 mA, 4.5 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 150 mA, 1 V	100 @ 150 mA, 1 V	100 @ 150 mA, 1 V	60 @ 300 mA, 1 V	100 @ 100 mA, 1 V
Power - Max	625 mW	—	1.5 W	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW
Frequency - Transition	100 MHz	—	—	300 MHz	300 MHz	300 MHz	250 MHz	250 MHz	250 MHz	210 MHz	100 MHz
Operating Temperature (TJ)	150°C	-65°C ~ 150°C	-65°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	-55°C ~ 150°C	150°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	100 nA	100 nA	100 nA	—	—	—	—	—	—	200 nA	100 nA
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Category A - Direct Electrical Equivalents:

BC33716TA (Fairchild Semiconductor) is the primary direct equivalent. This part maintains identical electrical specifications to the BC337-116, including 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 800 mA maximum collector current, 700 mV saturation voltage at the specified test conditions, and 100 MHz transition frequency. The BC33716TA is ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected. Product status is active with substantial inventory availability (14,100 units).

BC337-AP (Micro Commercial Co) provides an alternative with matching 45 V voltage rating and equivalent saturation voltage characteristics. This part supports 800 mA collector current, exceeding the BC337-116 specification. The BC337-AP is ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected with active product status.

2N3417 APM PBFREE (Central Semiconductor Corp) offers 50 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 500 mA maximum collector current, meeting the primary current requirement. This part provides enhanced voltage margin and is ROHS3 compliant with active product status.

Category B - Reduced Voltage Rating (40 V):

2N4401TA, 2N4401TF, and 2N4401TFR (onsemi and Fairchild Semiconductor) are suitable for applications where the 45 V rating is not required. These parts support 600 mA collector current, exceeding the BC337-116 specification, and maintain matching saturation voltage and gain characteristics. All variants are ROHS3 compliant with active product status and high inventory availability.

2N3904TA, 2N3904TF, and 2N3904TFR (onsemi) are appropriate for low-current applications not exceeding 200 mA. These parts feature 40 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 300 MHz transition frequency. All variants are ROHS3 compliant with active product status.

2N3416 PBFREE (Central Semiconductor Corp) provides 50 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage with active product status and ROHS3 compliance. This part is suitable for applications where collector current does not exceed the device specification.

All substitute parts listed maintain through-hole TO-92-3 packaging compatibility, ROHS3 compliance, and REACH unaffected status. Selection should be based on specific application current and voltage requirements within the provided parameter ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC33716TA directly replace BC337-116 in all applications?

A: BC33716TA maintains identical electrical specifications including 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 100 MHz transition frequency, and matching saturation voltage characteristics. Both parts are packaged in TO-92-3 through-hole configuration. Direct substitution is supported for applications operating within the specified parameter ranges.

Q: What is the primary difference between BC337-116 and 2N4401 series parts?

A: The primary difference is collector-emitter breakdown voltage. BC337-116 is rated for 45 V maximum, while 2N4401 series parts are rated for 40 V maximum. The 2N4401 series supports higher maximum collector current (600 mA versus 500 mA) and higher transition frequency (250 MHz versus 100 MHz). Selection depends on whether the application requires the full 45 V rating.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: All substitute parts listed in this reference are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, matching the compliance status of the BC337-116.

Q: What is the significance of the TO-92-3 package specification?

A: TO-92-3 is a three-lead through-hole package with formed leads. All substitute parts maintain this package configuration, ensuring mechanical and electrical compatibility with existing PCB layouts and assembly processes.

Q: Can 2N3904 series parts replace BC337-116 in high-current applications?

A: No. The 2N3904 series is limited to 200 mA maximum collector current, which is insufficient for applications requiring the BC337-116's 500 mA capability. The 2N3904 series is suitable only for low-current signal applications.

Q: What is the difference between BC337-AP and BC33716TA?

A: Both parts maintain 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and equivalent saturation voltage characteristics. BC337-AP supports 800 mA maximum collector current with 210 MHz transition frequency. BC33716TA supports 800 mA maximum collector current with 100 MHz transition frequency, matching the BC337-116 transition frequency specification. Selection depends on whether the application requires the higher transition frequency of BC337-AP.

Q: Why is 2N3417 APM PBFREE listed as a substitute despite different current specifications?

A: The 2N3417 APM PBFREE meets the primary electrical requirements with 50 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage (exceeding the 45 V requirement) and 500 mA maximum collector current (matching the BC337-116 specification). The higher power dissipation rating (1.5 W versus 625 mW) provides additional thermal margin. This part is suitable for applications where the full specifications of the BC337-116 are required.

Q: What inventory considerations should guide part selection?

A: Inventory availability varies significantly among substitute parts. 2N3904TFR has the highest inventory (22,042 units), while 2N3417 APM PBFREE has lower availability (970 units). For applications requiring immediate availability, 2N3904 series or 2N4401 series parts are preferred. For direct electrical equivalents, BC33716TA offers substantial inventory (14,100 units).

Q: Are there packaging differences between substitute parts?

A: All substitute parts are packaged in TO-92-3 or TO-226-3 through-hole configuration. Some parts are supplied in cut tape (CT) packaging, while others are supplied in bulk. Packaging format does not affect electrical or mechanical compatibility; selection depends on assembly process requirements.

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