BC337-40RL1 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BC337-40RL1 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by onsemi, rated for 45V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 800mA maximum collector current. This device is packaged in a TO-92 through-hole configuration and is designed for general-purpose switching and amplification applications. The BC337-40RL1 is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility across critical parameters including voltage rating, current capacity, power dissipation, and package form factor.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	800	mA
Power - Max	625	mW
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	V
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	100	nA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	250 @ 100mA, 1V	—
Frequency - Transition	210	MHz
Operating Temperature	-55 to 150	°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3 Long Body (Formed Leads)	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the BC337-40RL1 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Electrical Compatibility Requirements:

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max): 45V minimum
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max): 800mA minimum
Power - Max: 625mW minimum
Vce Saturation (Max): 700mV @ 50mA, 500mA
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max): 100nA maximum
Operating Temperature Range: -55°C to 150°C minimum

Mechanical Compatibility Requirements:

Mounting Type: Through Hole
Package / Case: TO-92-3 or TO-226-3 configuration

Substitution Categories:

Direct Substitutes (Identical Electrical Performance): Parts that maintain all electrical parameters of the BC337-40RL1, including DC Current Gain (hFE) of 250 @ 100mA, 1V and Frequency - Transition of 210MHz.

Functional Substitutes (Equivalent Electrical Performance): Parts that meet or exceed all critical electrical parameters but may differ in secondary characteristics such as DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum values or transition frequency, provided these differences do not degrade circuit performance in the intended application.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	BC337-40RL1 (Main)	BC33716TA	BC33725TA	BC33725TAR	BC33725TFR	BC33740TA	BC337-25-AP
Manufacturer	onsemi	Fairchild Semiconductor	onsemi	onsemi	Fairchild Semiconductor	onsemi	Micro Commercial Co
Transistor Type	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45V	45V	45V	45V	45V	45V	45V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	800mA	800mA	800mA	800mA	800mA	800mA	800mA
Power - Max	625mW	625mW	625mW	625mW	625mW	625mW	625mW
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA	700mV @ 50mA, 500mA
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	100nA	100nA	100nA	100nA	100nA	100nA	200nA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	250 @ 100mA, 1V	100 @ 100mA, 1V	160 @ 100mA, 1V	160 @ 100mA, 1V	160 @ 100mA, 1V	250 @ 100mA, 1V	160 @ 100mA, 1V
Frequency - Transition	210MHz	100MHz	100MHz	100MHz	100MHz	100MHz	210MHz
Operating Temperature	-55°C to 150°C	150°C	150°C	150°C	150°C	150°C	-55°C to 150°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3 Long Body	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
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	Not specified	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	Not specified	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes for Active Production:

BC33740TA (onsemi) is the preferred substitute for new designs and ongoing production. This part maintains identical DC Current Gain (hFE) of 250 @ 100mA, 1V and meets all critical electrical parameters of the BC337-40RL1. The BC33740TA is classified as active with ROHS3 compliance, ensuring long-term availability and regulatory alignment.

BC337-25-AP (Micro Commercial Co) provides an alternative with matching transition frequency of 210MHz and identical operating temperature range (-55°C to 150°C). However, this part is classified as obsolete and should not be selected for new designs requiring long-term supply assurance.

Secondary Substitutes for Functional Equivalence:

BC33725TA, BC33725TAR, and BC33725TFR are functionally equivalent substitutes that meet all critical electrical parameters with the exception of DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum value of 160 @ 100mA, 1V (versus 250 for the main part) and reduced transition frequency of 100MHz (versus 210MHz). These parts are suitable for applications where the lower gain and reduced bandwidth do not impact circuit performance. All three are active products with ROHS3 compliance (onsemi variants) or active status (Fairchild variant).

BC33716TA (Fairchild Semiconductor) is an active substitute meeting all critical electrical parameters but with the lowest DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum of 100 @ 100mA, 1V. This part is suitable only for applications with minimal gain requirements and is not recommended as a primary choice.

Compliance and Availability Considerations:

The BC337-40RL1 is RoHS non-compliant. Designs requiring RoHS compliance must transition to BC33740TA, BC33725TA, BC33725TAR, or BC337-25-AP. Among active products, BC33740TA and the BC33725 variants offer the highest inventory availability and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC33725TA be used as a direct replacement for BC337-40RL1?

A: BC33725TA is a functional substitute that meets all critical electrical parameters including voltage rating (45V), current capacity (800mA), power dissipation (625mW), and saturation voltage. However, it differs in DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum of 160 versus 250 and transition frequency of 100MHz versus 210MHz. Substitution is valid for applications where these parameter differences do not degrade circuit performance.

Q: What is the difference between BC33725TA and BC33740TA?

A: Both parts are manufactured by onsemi and meet identical voltage, current, and power specifications. The primary difference is DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum: BC33740TA maintains 250 @ 100mA, 1V (matching the BC337-40RL1), while BC33725TA provides 160 @ 100mA, 1V. BC33740TA is the preferred substitute when gain matching is required.

Q: Are all substitute parts available in the same TO-92 package?

A: All substitute parts listed are packaged in TO-92-3 or TO-226-3 through-hole configurations, which are mechanically compatible with the BC337-40RL1. Physical lead spacing and pin configuration are identical across all listed parts.

Q: Why does BC337-25-AP have a higher collector cutoff current (200nA) than the main part (100nA)?

A: BC337-25-AP specifies a maximum collector cutoff current of 200nA, which is twice that of the BC337-40RL1 at 100nA. This represents a minor leakage current difference and does not impact functionality in most switching and amplification applications. However, for applications with strict leakage requirements, BC33740TA or BC33725 variants are preferred.

Q: Which substitute offers the best long-term availability?

A: BC33740TA (onsemi) and BC33725TA (onsemi) offer the highest inventory levels (21,100 and 65,300 units respectively) and active product status, ensuring long-term procurement continuity. Both are ROHS3 compliant, supporting regulatory requirements for new designs.

Q: Can I use BC33716TA if other substitutes are unavailable?

A: BC33716TA meets all critical electrical parameters and is mechanically compatible. However, its DC Current Gain (hFE) minimum of 100 @ 100mA, 1V is significantly lower than the BC337-40RL1 at 250. Substitution is valid only for applications with minimal gain requirements or where base current can be increased to compensate for lower gain.

Q: What is the operating temperature range difference between substitutes?

A: The BC337-40RL1 and BC337-25-AP both specify -55°C to 150°C operating temperature range. All other substitutes (BC33716TA, BC33725TA, BC33725TAR, BC33725TFR, BC33740TA) specify 150°C maximum without a lower temperature limit. For applications requiring full -55°C to 150°C operation, BC33740TA or BC337-25-AP are required.

Q: Are there RoHS compliance differences between substitutes?

A: The BC337-40RL1 is RoHS non-compliant. BC33740TA, BC33725TA, BC33725TAR, and BC337-25-AP are ROHS3 compliant. BC33716TA and BC33725TFR do not specify RoHS status. For designs requiring RoHS compliance, select from the ROHS3 compliant variants.

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