BC549C Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BC549C is an NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT) manufactured by onsemi, housed in a TO-92 through-hole package. This device is rated for 30 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 100 mA maximum collector current, and 625 mW power dissipation across an operating temperature range of -55°C to 150°C. The BC549C is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of active equivalent and substitute components for new designs and ongoing production requirements. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility within the specified parameter ranges while meeting current manufacturing and compliance standards.

Key Parameters

Parameter	BC549C Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	-
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	30	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	100	mA
Power - Max	625	mW
Frequency - Transition	250	MHz
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	200 @ 2mA, 5V	-
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	600mV @ 5mA, 100mA	-
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	15	nA
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	-
Package / Case	TO-92-3 (TO-226)	-

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the BC549C are selected based on strict electrical and mechanical parameter compatibility. The primary substitution criteria are:

Critical Parameters for Substitution:

Transistor type must be NPN
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown must be greater than or equal to 30 V
Current - Collector (Ic) maximum must be greater than or equal to 100 mA
Power dissipation must be greater than or equal to 625 mW
Mounting type must be Through Hole
Package must be TO-92-3 (TO-226) compatible

Substitute Categories:

Category 1: Direct Electrical Equivalents (Active Status) Parts meeting or exceeding all critical electrical parameters with active product status and current manufacturing compliance certifications.

Category 2: Reduced Current Rating Substitutes Parts with collector current ratings below 100 mA maximum. These substitutes are suitable only for applications where actual operating current does not exceed the substitute part's rating.

Category 3: Elevated Voltage Rating Substitutes Parts with collector-emitter breakdown voltage exceeding 30 V. These substitutes provide additional voltage margin and are compatible with BC549C applications.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	BC549C	BC549CTA	2N5088 PBFREE	LP395Z/LFT1	LP395Z/NOPB
Manufacturer	onsemi	onsemi	Central Semiconductor Corp	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active
Transistor Type	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	30 V	30 V	30 V	36 V	36 V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	100 mA	100 mA	50 mA	-	-
Power - Max	625 mW	500 mW	625 mW	-	-
Frequency - Transition	250 MHz	300 MHz	50 MHz	-	-
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	200 @ 2mA, 5V	420 @ 2mA, 5V	300 @ 100µA, 5V	-	-
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	600mV @ 5mA, 100mA	600mV @ 5mA, 100mA	500mV @ 1mA, 10mA	-	-
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	15 nA	15 nA	50 nA	-	-
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150°C	150°C (TJ)	-65 to 150°C	0 to 125°C	0 to 125°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-92-3 (TO-226)	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
RoHS Status	Non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Packaging Type	-	Cut Tape (CT)	Bulk	Cut Tape (CT)	Bulk

Engineering Selection Recommendations

BC549CTA (onsemi) - Primary Substitute

The BC549CTA is the recommended primary substitute for the BC549C. Both devices share the same base product number (BC549) and are manufactured by onsemi. The BC549CTA meets all critical electrical parameters: 30 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 100 mA maximum collector current, and equivalent saturation voltage characteristics. The BC549CTA features active product status and ROHS3 compliance, addressing the obsolescence of the BC549C. The transition frequency is improved at 300 MHz compared to 250 MHz. The DC current gain is higher at 420 (minimum) versus 200, providing enhanced amplification characteristics. Power dissipation is rated at 500 mW, which is lower than the BC549C but remains adequate for most applications within the 100 mA collector current specification. The BC549CTA is available in Cut Tape packaging for automated assembly processes.

2N5088 PBFREE (Central Semiconductor Corp) - Secondary Substitute

The 2N5088 PBFREE is an active substitute suitable for applications where collector current does not exceed 50 mA. This device maintains the 30 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and TO-92-3 package compatibility. The 2N5088 PBFREE offers ROHS3 compliance and an extended operating temperature range of -65°C to 150°C, exceeding the BC549C specification. The DC current gain is 300 (minimum), providing adequate amplification. The transition frequency is 50 MHz, significantly lower than the BC549C, limiting use to low-frequency applications. The Vce saturation voltage is 500 mV at 1 mA and 10 mA, which is lower than the BC549C specification. The collector cutoff current is 50 nA, higher than the BC549C. This substitute is appropriate for low-speed switching and linear amplification circuits operating below 50 mA collector current.

LP395Z/LFT1 and LP395Z/NOPB (Texas Instruments) - Voltage-Rated Substitutes

The LP395Z series from Texas Instruments provides a 36 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage rating, exceeding the BC549C specification by 6 V. Both variants (LP395Z/LFT1 in Cut Tape and LP395Z/NOPB in Bulk packaging) are active products with ROHS3 compliance. Complete electrical parameter data for collector current, power dissipation, frequency response, and gain characteristics are not provided in the available specifications. These devices are suitable for applications requiring elevated voltage margins. The operating temperature range is 0°C to 125°C, which is narrower than the BC549C. The LP395Z series is compatible with TO-92-3 package requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the BC549CTA directly replace the BC549C in all applications?

A: The BC549CTA meets all critical electrical parameters for direct substitution: 30 V breakdown voltage, 100 mA collector current, and equivalent saturation characteristics. The BC549CTA is the recommended replacement due to active product status and ROHS3 compliance. However, the power dissipation rating is 500 mW versus 625 mW for the BC549C. Applications operating at maximum power levels near 625 mW require thermal analysis to confirm the 500 mW rating is adequate.

Q: Is the 2N5088 PBFREE suitable for all BC549C applications?

A: The 2N5088 PBFREE is suitable only for applications where the actual collector current does not exceed 50 mA. The maximum collector current rating of 50 mA is half that of the BC549C. All other electrical parameters are compatible, including the 30 V breakdown voltage and TO-92-3 package. Applications requiring the full 100 mA collector current capability must use the BC549CTA or equivalent 100 mA rated devices.

Q: What is the difference between BC549CTA Cut Tape and bulk packaging options?

A: The BC549CTA is available in Cut Tape (CT) packaging, which is formatted for automated pick-and-place assembly equipment. The packaging format does not affect electrical performance. Selection between packaging types depends on manufacturing process requirements and assembly automation capabilities.

Q: Can the LP395Z series replace the BC549C?

A: The LP395Z series (LP395Z/LFT1 and LP395Z/NOPB) provides a higher 36 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, making them suitable for applications requiring additional voltage margin. However, complete electrical parameter specifications for collector current, power dissipation, and frequency response are not available. These devices are compatible with the TO-92-3 package. Use of the LP395Z series requires confirmation that the application does not depend on specific gain, frequency, or power dissipation characteristics not provided in the available data.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: The BC549C is RoHS non-compliant. All substitute parts listed (BC549CTA, 2N5088 PBFREE, LP395Z/LFT1, and LP395Z/NOPB) are ROHS3 compliant, meeting current environmental and regulatory requirements for new designs and production.

Q: What is the operating temperature difference between substitutes?

A: The BC549C operates from -55°C to 150°C. The BC549CTA maximum junction temperature is 150°C. The 2N5088 PBFREE extends the range to -65°C to 150°C. The LP395Z series operates from 0°C to 125°C, which is narrower than the BC549C. Applications requiring operation below 0°C or above 125°C must use the BC549CTA or 2N5088 PBFREE.

Q: How do the frequency characteristics compare?

A: The BC549C has a transition frequency of 250 MHz. The BC549CTA improves this to 300 MHz. The 2N5088 PBFREE is rated at 50 MHz, suitable only for low-frequency applications. The LP395Z series frequency characteristics are not specified. High-frequency applications above 50 MHz require the BC549CTA or BC549C.

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