BC857C-HF Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The BC857C-HF is a PNP bipolar junction transistor manufactured by Comchip Technology, 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 100 mA and transition frequency of 100 MHz. The part is currently in active production status with 747 pieces in stock.

Substitute parts are necessary when the original BC857C-HF becomes unavailable due to supply constraints, end-of-life declarations, or when alternative manufacturers' devices meet or exceed the electrical and mechanical specifications required for the application.

Key Parameters

Parameter	BC857C-HF Value	Unit	Substitution Relevance
Transistor Type	PNP	—	Critical: Must match
Collector Current (Max)	100	mA	Critical: Must equal or exceed
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45	V	Critical: Must equal or exceed
Power Dissipation (Max)	250	mW	Important: Must equal or exceed
Frequency - Transition	100	MHz	Important: Must equal or exceed for timing-sensitive circuits
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	650mV @ 5mA, 100mA	V	Important: Lower values preferred for switching efficiency
Package / Case	TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3	—	Critical: Must match for PCB compatibility
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—	Critical: Must match
Operating Temperature Range	-65°C to 150°C	°C	Important: Substitute must cover application temperature range
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—	Important: Regulatory requirement

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution logic for the BC857C-HF is based on the following criteria:

Critical Parameters (Must Match):

Transistor type: PNP
Package: TO-236-3 / SC-59 / SOT-23-3 (surface mount)
Collector current: 100 mA minimum
Collector-emitter breakdown voltage: 45 V minimum
Mounting type: Surface mount

Important Parameters (Must Equal or Exceed):

Power dissipation: 250 mW minimum
Transition frequency: 100 MHz minimum (for high-frequency applications)
Operating temperature maximum: 150°C minimum

Acceptable Variations:

Vce saturation values may vary within acceptable switching loss parameters
DC current gain (hFE) variations are acceptable if within typical application ranges
Collector cutoff current (ICBO) variations are acceptable within leakage specifications

Substitute parts are grouped into three categories:

Upgrade Substitutes (Enhanced specifications): 2PB709ART,215, BC860C,215, BCX71H,215
Manufacturer Recommended Substitutes (Equivalent or superior specifications): BC857A RFG, BC857B RFG, BC857BLT1G, BC857C RFG, BC860BE6327HTSA1, BCX71GE6327HTSA1, MSA1162GT1G
Direct Equivalents (Same base series): BC857A, BC857B, BC857C variants from different manufacturers

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Ic (Max) mA	Vce(br) V	Power mW	Freq MHz	Vce Sat mV	Package	Status
BC857C-HF	Comchip Technology	100	45	250	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	SOT-23-3	Active
2PB709ART,215	NXP USA Inc.	100	45	250	70	500 @ 10mA, 100mA	SOT-23	Active
BC860C,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	TO-236AB	Active
BCX71H,215	Nexperia USA Inc.	100	45	250	100	550 @ 1.25mA, 50mA	TO-236AB	Active
BC857A RFG	Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation	100	45	200	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	SOT-23	Active
BC857B RFG	Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation	100	45	200	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	SOT-23	Active
BC857BLT1G	onsemi	100	45	300	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	SOT-23-3	Active
BC857C RFG	Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation	100	45	200	100	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	SOT-23	Active
BC860BE6327HTSA1	Infineon Technologies	100	45	330	250	650 @ 5mA, 100mA	PG-SOT23	Last Time Buy
BCX71GE6327HTSA1	Infineon Technologies	100	45	330	250	550 @ 1.25mA, 50mA	PG-SOT23	Last Time Buy
MSA1162GT1G	onsemi	100	50	200	80	500 @ 10mA, 100mA	SC-59	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Identical Electrical Performance):

BC857BLT1G (onsemi) is the preferred direct substitute. It matches all critical electrical parameters of the BC857C-HF, operates across the same temperature range (-55°C to 150°C), maintains SOT-23-3 package compatibility, and offers superior power dissipation (300 mW vs. 250 mW). This part is in active production with high inventory availability (125,100 pieces).

BC857C RFG (Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation) provides electrical equivalence with identical transition frequency and saturation characteristics. It is in active production status with 9,886 pieces available.

For Applications Requiring Enhanced Performance:

BC860C,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) and BCX71H,215 (Nexperia USA Inc.) both maintain 100 MHz transition frequency while offering improved saturation characteristics. BC860C,215 provides identical Vce saturation to the original part. BCX71H,215 offers lower saturation voltage (550 mV vs. 650 mV), reducing switching losses in high-current applications.

BC860BE6327HTSA1 (Infineon Technologies) and BCX71GE6327HTSA1 (Infineon Technologies) provide enhanced transition frequency (250 MHz) and power dissipation (330 mW), suitable for higher-frequency switching applications. Both parts carry Last Time Buy status, indicating limited future availability.

For Cost-Optimized Selection:

2PB709ART,215 (NXP USA Inc.) meets all critical electrical requirements with 45 V breakdown voltage and 100 mA collector current. This part features improved saturation characteristics (500 mV vs. 650 mV) and carries automotive-grade qualification (AEC-Q101). Transition frequency is 70 MHz, which is acceptable for general-purpose switching applications not requiring 100 MHz performance.

MSA1162GT1G (onsemi) provides a 50 V rated alternative with enhanced voltage margin. This part is in active production with the highest inventory availability (155,100 pieces) and carries automotive qualification.

Compliance Considerations:

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, matching the regulatory requirements of the original BC857C-HF. Moisture sensitivity level remains at MSL 1 (Unlimited) across all alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BC857A RFG or BC857B RFG be used as direct replacements for BC857C-HF?

A: Yes. Both parts are from the same BC857 base series and maintain identical electrical specifications for collector current (100 mA), breakdown voltage (45 V), transition frequency (100 MHz), and saturation characteristics (650 mV @ 5mA, 100mA). All three variants operate across overlapping temperature ranges and use compatible SOT-23 packaging. The primary difference is DC current gain (hFE) classification, which does not affect switching applications.

Q: What is the difference between BC857C-HF and BC857BLT1G?

A: Both parts are PNP transistors with identical electrical ratings for current, voltage, and frequency. The BC857BLT1G offers superior power dissipation (300 mW vs. 250 mW), operates across a wider temperature range (-55°C to 150°C vs. -65°C to 150°C), and is manufactured by onsemi with higher inventory availability. The BC857BLT1G uses SOT-23-3 packaging, which is mechanically compatible with the original part's TO-236-3 / SC-59 designation.

Q: Can MSA1162GT1G replace BC857C-HF in all applications?

A: MSA1162GT1G is electrically compatible for most general-purpose switching applications. It maintains 100 mA collector current and surface mount packaging. However, it has a higher breakdown voltage rating (50 V vs. 45 V) and lower transition frequency (80 MHz vs. 100 MHz). Use MSA1162GT1G only in applications where 80 MHz frequency response is sufficient. The higher voltage rating provides additional safety margin in overvoltage conditions.

Q: Why do some substitutes have lower transition frequency (70 MHz or 80 MHz)?

A: Transition frequency (fT) determines the maximum useful operating frequency for the transistor. The BC857C-HF operates at 100 MHz. Substitutes with lower fT values (such as 2PB709ART,215 at 70 MHz or MSA1162GT1G at 80 MHz) are suitable for applications operating below their rated frequency. For circuits requiring 100 MHz or higher switching speeds, use substitutes with fT ≥ 100 MHz.

Q: Are Infineon parts BC860BE6327HTSA1 and BCX71GE6327HTSA1 still available?

A: Both Infineon parts carry Last Time Buy status, indicating limited future availability. While currently in stock (792 and 901 pieces respectively), these parts should not be selected for new designs requiring long-term supply. Use these parts only for legacy system maintenance or when existing inventory is available.

Q: What is the significance of automotive qualification (AEC-Q101)?

A: AEC-Q101 qualification indicates the part meets automotive industry reliability and quality standards. Parts carrying this qualification (2PB709ART,215, BC860C,215, BCX71H,215, MSA1162GT1G) are suitable for automotive applications and industrial environments requiring enhanced reliability. Non-qualified parts are acceptable for consumer and general industrial applications.

Q: Can I use BC857C-HF in applications rated for 50 V operation?

A: No. The BC857C-HF has a maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 45 V. Operating at 50 V exceeds the rated specification and risks device failure. For 50 V applications, use MSA1162GT1G, which is rated for 50 V breakdown voltage.

Q: What is the difference between SOT-23 and SOT-23-3 packaging?

A: SOT-23 and SOT-23-3 (also designated TO-236-3 or SC-59) refer to the same three-lead surface mount package. The designations are equivalent and mechanically compatible. All substitutes listed use this same package family, ensuring PCB footprint compatibility.

Q: Which substitute offers the best saturation characteristics for switching applications?

A: BCX71H,215 offers the lowest saturation voltage (550 mV @ 1.25mA, 50mA), reducing power dissipation during saturation. 2PB709ART,215 provides 500 mV saturation (@ 10mA, 100mA), also superior to the original 650 mV specification. Both parts reduce switching losses compared to BC857C-HF, making them preferable for high-current or high-frequency switching circuits.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message