BC817K-16VL Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BC817K-16VL is an NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by Nexperia USA Inc., designed for general-purpose switching and amplification applications. This surface mount device operates at 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage with a maximum collector current of 500 mA and transition frequency of 100 MHz. The part is classified as Active product status and carries automotive-grade qualification under AEC-Q100 standard. Substitute parts are identified when equivalent electrical performance and mechanical compatibility are required due to inventory constraints, manufacturing discontinuation, or design flexibility needs.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Collector Current (Max)	500	mA
Collector-Emitter Breakdown Voltage (Max)	45	V
Vce Saturation (Max)	700	mV @ 50mA, 500mA
Collector Cutoff Current (Max)	100	nA
DC Current Gain (hFE Min)	100	@ 100mA, 1V
Power Dissipation (Max)	250	mW
Transition Frequency	100	MHz
Operating Temperature (Max)	150	°C
Package Type	TO-236-3 / SOT-23-3	—
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—
Grade	Automotive	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the BC817K-16VL are classified into two categories based on electrical and mechanical compatibility:

Parametric Equivalents (Full Compatibility): Parts that maintain identical electrical specifications across all critical parameters including collector current, breakdown voltage, saturation voltage, current gain, power dissipation, and transition frequency. These parts differ only in packaging format (Cut Tape vs. Tape & Reel) or minor part number designations that do not affect circuit performance. Parametric equivalents include BC817,215; BC817,235; BC817-16,215; BC817-16,235; BC817-16-QR; BC817-QR; and BC817K-16R.

Similar Parts (Conditional Compatibility): Parts that share the same transistor type, package form factor, and primary electrical characteristics but exhibit variations in specific parameters. The BCX19,215 and BCX19,235 variants feature a lower Vce saturation specification (620 mV vs. 700 mV), which represents improved saturation performance. The 2SC3325-Y,LF from Toshiba Semiconductor differs in transition frequency (300 MHz vs. 100 MHz), power dissipation (200 mW vs. 250 mW), and package designation (S-Mini), requiring circuit-level evaluation for compatibility.

Key Parameters Determining Substitution:

Collector current rating (500 mA)
Collector-emitter breakdown voltage (45 V minimum)
Package form factor (TO-236-3 / SOT-23-3)
Surface mount mounting type
Automotive grade qualification
NPN transistor polarity

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Ic (Max) mA	Vce(br) V	Vce Sat mV	hFE (Min)	Power mW	fT MHz	Package	Qualification	Inventory
BC817K-16VL	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q100	806
BC817,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	32200
BC817,235	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	56447
BC817-16,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	9200
BC817-16,235	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	48307
BC817-16-QR	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	33999
BC817-QR	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	1115
BC817K-16R	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	700 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q100	3541
BCX19,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	620 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	15200
BCX19,235	Nexperia USA Inc.	500	45	620 @ 50mA, 500mA	100 @ 100mA, 1V	250	100	TO-236AB	AEC-Q101	8577
2SC3325-Y,LF	Toshiba Semiconductor and Storage	500	50	250 @ 10mA, 100mA	120 @ 100mA, 1V	200	300	S-Mini	Not Specified	3094

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Nexperia BC817 Series): The BC817,235 and BC817-16,235 parts are recommended as primary substitutes due to highest inventory availability (56,447 and 48,307 units respectively) and AEC-Q101 automotive qualification. These parts maintain identical electrical specifications to the BC817K-16VL across all critical parameters and are supplied in Tape & Reel packaging format suitable for automated assembly.

Secondary Substitutes (Nexperia BC817 Variants): The BC817,215 and BC817-16,215 parts provide equivalent electrical performance with AEC-Q101 qualification and substantial inventory (32,200 and 9,200 units). These parts are supplied in Cut Tape & Digi-Reel format, appropriate for lower-volume applications or manual assembly processes.

Qualified Rapid-Response Alternatives: The BC817-16-QR and BC817-QR parts carry AEC-Q101 qualification and are available in Tape & Reel format with inventory levels of 33,999 and 1,115 units respectively. The BC817K-16R maintains AEC-Q100 qualification (matching the original part) with 3,541 units in stock.

Improved Saturation Performance Option: The BCX19,215 and BCX19,235 parts feature lower Vce saturation voltage (620 mV vs. 700 mV), resulting in reduced power dissipation during saturation operation. Both carry AEC-Q101 qualification with inventory of 15,200 and 8,577 units respectively. These parts are suitable for applications where saturation efficiency is a design priority.

Cross-Manufacturer Alternative: The 2SC3325-Y,LF from Toshiba Semiconductor differs in multiple parameters including higher transition frequency (300 MHz), lower power dissipation (200 mW), and different package designation (S-Mini). This part is suitable only for applications where the enhanced frequency response and reduced power envelope are beneficial and where automotive qualification is not required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC817,235 be used as a direct replacement for BC817K-16VL?

A: Yes. The BC817,235 is a parametric equivalent with identical electrical specifications across collector current, breakdown voltage, saturation voltage, current gain, power dissipation, and transition frequency. Both are surface mount TO-236AB devices. The primary difference is packaging format (Tape & Reel vs. original Tape & Reel) and qualification standard (AEC-Q101 vs. AEC-Q100), which does not affect circuit functionality.

Q: What is the difference between BC817,215 and BC817,235?

A: Both parts are parametric equivalents of the BC817K-16VL with identical electrical specifications. The difference is packaging format: BC817,215 is supplied in Cut Tape & Digi-Reel format for lower-volume or manual assembly applications, while BC817,235 is supplied in Tape & Reel format for automated high-volume production.

Q: Why does BCX19,235 have lower Vce saturation voltage?

A: The BCX19,235 is a variant of the BCX19 base product line with improved saturation characteristics. The lower Vce saturation (620 mV vs. 700 mV) represents enhanced transistor design that reduces power dissipation during saturation operation. This part is suitable for applications where saturation efficiency is critical.

Q: Is the 2SC3325-Y,LF compatible with BC817K-16VL?

A: The 2SC3325-Y,LF shares the same collector current rating (500 mA) and package form factor (TO-236-3 / SOT-23-3) but differs in multiple electrical parameters: higher breakdown voltage (50 V vs. 45 V), significantly higher transition frequency (300 MHz vs. 100 MHz), lower power dissipation (200 mW vs. 250 mW), and different saturation characteristics. This part requires circuit-level evaluation and is not recommended as a direct substitute without design verification.

Q: What does AEC-Q100 vs. AEC-Q101 qualification mean?

A: Both AEC-Q100 and AEC-Q101 are automotive-grade qualifications for discrete semiconductors. AEC-Q100 applies to the original BC817K-16VL. AEC-Q101 applies to most substitute parts listed. Both standards ensure reliability for automotive applications; the difference reflects the specific qualification pathway and testing protocol used by the manufacturer.

Q: Can I mix packaging formats (Cut Tape vs. Tape & Reel) in production?

A: Yes, from an electrical standpoint. However, packaging format affects assembly process compatibility. Cut Tape & Digi-Reel format (BC817,215; BC817-16,215) is suitable for manual or semi-automated assembly. Tape & Reel format (BC817,235; BC817-16,235; BC817-16-QR) is optimized for fully automated pick-and-place assembly. Verify compatibility with your assembly equipment before implementation.

Q: Which substitute has the highest inventory availability?

A: BC817,235 has the highest inventory with 56,447 units in stock, followed by BC817-16,235 with 48,307 units. Both are parametric equivalents with identical electrical specifications and AEC-Q101 qualification.

Q: Are all listed substitutes RoHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed carry ROHS3 Compliant status and are REACH Unaffected, matching the environmental compliance profile of the BC817K-16VL.

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