BC847B Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BC847B is a surface mount NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by STMicroelectronics in the SOT-23 package. This device is rated for 45 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 100 mA maximum collector current, and 200 mW power dissipation. The BC847B is classified as obsolete product status, making identification of equivalent and substitute parts essential for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility across critical parameters including voltage ratings, current handling, gain characteristics, and thermal performance while accommodating different manufacturer specifications and packaging variants.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	100	mA
Power - Max	200	mW
Frequency - Transition	100	MHz
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	200 @ 2mA, 5V	—
Operating Temperature Range	-65 to 150	°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—
Package / Case	TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the BC847B are grouped based on strict electrical and mechanical compatibility criteria. All substitute devices must satisfy the following mandatory parameters:

Transistor Type: NPN configuration
Voltage Rating: Collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 45 V or greater
Current Rating: Maximum collector current of 100 mA or greater
DC Current Gain: Minimum hFE of 200 at specified test conditions
Package Compatibility: Surface mount TO-236-3, SC-59, or SOT-23-3 package
RoHS Compliance: ROHS3 compliant
Moisture Sensitivity: MSL 1 (Unlimited)

Substitutes are organized into two categories:

Category 1: Direct Manufacturer Variants (Nexperia, onsemi, Micro Commercial Co) These parts share the BC847B base product number and maintain identical electrical specifications with variations in packaging format (Cut Tape, Digi-Reel, Tape & Reel) and supplier device package designations.

Category 2: Cross-Manufacturer Equivalents (Diodes Incorporated, onsemi) These parts include BC847B-7-F, BC847C-13-F, and related variants that meet or exceed the electrical requirements of the BC847B while offering enhanced performance characteristics such as higher transition frequency or power dissipation ratings.

Category 3: Related Base Product Variants (BC850B, BCW72) These parts represent alternative base product numbers within the same family that maintain core electrical compatibility while offering different saturation voltage characteristics suited to specific application requirements.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Ic (Max) mA	Vce Breakdown (Max) V	Power (Max) mW	Frequency (Transition) MHz	hFE (Min) @ 2mA, 5V	Operating Temp °C	Vce Sat (Max) @ 5mA, 100mA mV	Product Status
BC847B	STMicroelectronics	100	45	200	100	200	-65 to 150	500	Obsolete
BC847B,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	200	-55 to 150	400	Active
BC847B,235	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	200	-55 to 150	400	Active
BC847B-7-F	Diodes Incorporated	100	45	300	300	200	-65 to 150	600	Active
BC847B-TP	Micro Commercial Co	100	45	225	100	200	-55 to 150	500	Active
BC847BLT1G	onsemi	100	45	300	100	200	-55 to 150	600	Active
BC847BLT3G	onsemi	100	45	300	100	200	-55 to 150	600	Active
BC847C-13-F	Diodes Incorporated	100	45	310	300	200	-65 to 150	600	Active
BC850B,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	200	-55 to 150	600	Active
BC850BLT1G	onsemi	100	45	225	100	200	-55 to 150	600	Active
BCW72,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	200	-55 to 150	210	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Highest Compatibility)

BC847B,215 and BC847B,235 from Nexperia USA Inc. are direct manufacturer variants with active product status. Both devices maintain identical electrical specifications to the BC847B across voltage, current, and gain parameters. The primary difference is packaging format: BC847B,215 is supplied in Cut Tape (CT) & Digi-Reel format, while BC847B,235 is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) format. Both variants carry AEC-Q101 automotive qualification and are suitable for applications requiring automotive-grade reliability. The Nexperia variants feature improved saturation voltage characteristics (400 mV vs. 500 mV) and higher power dissipation capability (250 mW vs. 200 mW).

Secondary Substitutes (Enhanced Performance)

BC847BLT1G and BC847BLT3G from onsemi provide active product status with enhanced power dissipation (300 mW) while maintaining all core electrical specifications. These variants are suitable for applications with higher thermal demands. BC847B-7-F and BC847C-13-F from Diodes Incorporated offer significantly higher transition frequency (300 MHz vs. 100 MHz) and power dissipation (300-310 mW), making them suitable for high-frequency applications where the original BC847B specifications are marginal.

Alternative Base Product Variants

BC850B,215 and BC850BLT1G represent alternative base product numbers within the BC847/BC850 family. These devices maintain identical voltage, current, and gain specifications but feature higher saturation voltage (600 mV). BCW72,215 offers the lowest saturation voltage (210 mV at 2.5 mA, 50 mA) and is suitable for applications requiring minimal saturation losses.

Compliance and Qualification

All substitute parts listed are ROHS3 compliant with MSL 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity rating. Nexperia variants carry AEC-Q101 automotive qualification. Selection should prioritize active product status devices to ensure long-term availability and supply chain continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC847B,215 directly replace the obsolete BC847B?

A: Yes. BC847B,215 from Nexperia USA Inc. is a direct equivalent with identical electrical specifications across voltage rating (45 V), collector current (100 mA), and DC current gain (200 minimum). The primary difference is packaging format. Both devices are surface mount in the TO-236-3/SOT-23-3 package. The Nexperia variant offers improved saturation voltage and higher power dissipation, making it a superior choice for new designs.

Q: What is the difference between BC847B-7-F and BC847BLT1G?

A: Both devices meet the core electrical requirements of the BC847B (45 V, 100 mA, 200 mW minimum). BC847B-7-F from Diodes Incorporated features 300 MHz transition frequency and 300 mW power dissipation. BC847BLT1G from onsemi maintains 100 MHz transition frequency with 300 mW power dissipation. Selection depends on application frequency requirements. For standard 100 MHz applications, BC847BLT1G is appropriate. For higher-frequency circuits, BC847B-7-F is recommended.

Q: Are packaging variants (Cut Tape vs. Tape & Reel) electrically equivalent?

A: Yes. Packaging variants such as BC847B,215 (Cut Tape & Digi-Reel) and BC847B,235 (Tape & Reel) are electrically identical. The difference is in supply format and handling. Cut Tape format is suitable for lower-volume applications and manual assembly. Tape & Reel format is optimized for high-volume automated assembly. Electrical performance and reliability are equivalent.

Q: Can BC850B,215 be used in place of BC847B?

A: BC850B,215 maintains identical voltage (45 V), current (100 mA), and gain (200 minimum) specifications. The primary difference is saturation voltage: BC850B features 600 mV saturation versus 500 mV for BC847B. This higher saturation voltage results in greater power dissipation in saturated switching applications. BC850B is suitable for applications where saturation voltage is not critical. For designs optimized around the lower saturation voltage of BC847B, BC847B,215 or BCW72,215 are preferred.

Q: What does AEC-Q101 qualification mean?

A: AEC-Q101 is an automotive industry qualification standard for discrete semiconductors. Devices carrying this qualification have undergone rigorous testing for reliability, temperature cycling, and long-term stability under automotive operating conditions. Nexperia variants (BC847B,215, BC847B,235, BC850B,215, BCW72,215) carry AEC-Q101 qualification, making them suitable for automotive and mission-critical applications requiring enhanced reliability assurance.

Q: Is the operating temperature range important for substitution?

A: Yes. The BC847B operates from -65°C to 150°C. Most substitute variants operate from -55°C to 150°C, representing a 10°C reduction in the lower temperature limit. For applications requiring operation below -55°C, BC847B-7-F and BC847C-13-F from Diodes Incorporated maintain the full -65°C to 150°C range. For standard commercial and industrial applications, the -55°C lower limit is typically sufficient.

Q: What is the significance of ICBO (collector cutoff current)?

A: ICBO represents leakage current in the reverse-biased collector-base junction. The BC847B specifies 100 nA maximum ICBO. Most substitute variants specify 15 nA, indicating lower leakage. Lower leakage current improves circuit performance in high-impedance applications and reduces power consumption in standby conditions. This is a beneficial characteristic in substitute parts.

Q: Can BCW72,215 replace BC847B in all applications?

A: BCW72,215 maintains voltage, current, and gain compatibility but features significantly lower saturation voltage (210 mV at 2.5 mA, 50 mA versus 500 mV for BC847B). This lower saturation voltage reduces power dissipation in saturated switching applications, making BCW72,215 superior for low-power switching circuits. However, circuit designs optimized for the saturation characteristics of BC847B should use BC847B,215 or BC847B-TP for direct compatibility.

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