BPW37 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The BPW37 is a phototransistor optical sensor manufactured by onsemi, designed for 880nm infrared detection in a TO-206AA (TO-18-3 Metal Can) through-hole package with top view orientation. The device is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitute parts necessary for new designs and ongoing production support. The BPW37 operates across a wide temperature range (-65°C to 125°C) and is suitable for applications requiring near-infrared photodetection with moderate power dissipation.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	BPW37
Manufacturer	onsemi
Category	Optical Sensors
Description	Phototransistors 880nm Top View TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can
Wavelength	880nm
Viewing Angle	20°
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	45 V
Current - Dark (Id) (Max)	100 nA
Power - Max	300 mW
Operating Temperature	-65°C ~ 125°C
Package / Case	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Orientation	Top View
Product Status	Obsolete
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the BPW37 are qualified based on the following critical parameters that determine functional compatibility:

Primary Compatibility Criteria:

Package / Case: TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can (identical mechanical form factor)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (identical board integration method)
Orientation: Top View (identical optical axis orientation)
Operating Temperature Range: -65°C ~ 125°C (identical thermal operating window)
Wavelength: 880nm–890nm (near-infrared detection band, functionally equivalent)
Current - Dark (Id) (Max): 100 nA (identical dark current specification)
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL): 1 (Unlimited) (identical moisture handling)

Secondary Compatibility Considerations:

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max): BPW37 specifies 45 V; substitute parts specify 30 V (lower rating acceptable in most applications)
Power - Max: BPW37 specifies 300 mW; substitute parts specify 250 mW (lower rating acceptable in most applications)
Viewing Angle: BPW37 specifies 20°; substitute parts specify either unspecified or 24° (minor optical angle variation)

All substitute parts listed are manufactured by TT Electronics / Optek Technology and carry active product status with ROHS3 compliance, ensuring long-term availability and regulatory alignment.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Wavelength	Viewing Angle	Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	Current - Dark (Id) (Max)	Power - Max	Operating Temperature	Package / Case	Product Status	RoHS Status
BPW37	onsemi	880nm	20°	45 V	100 nA	300 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Obsolete	Not specified
OP800A	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP800B	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP800C	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP801WSL	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP804SL	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP804TX	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	24°	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP804TXV	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	24°	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP805SL	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	Not specified	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP805TX	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	24°	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
OP805TXV	TT Electronics / Optek Technology	890nm	24°	30 V	100 nA	250 mW	-65°C ~ 125°C	TO-206AA, TO-18-3 Metal Can	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

All listed substitute parts are manufactured by TT Electronics / Optek Technology and maintain active product status, ensuring availability for current and future production. The substitute parts carry ROHS3 compliance certification, meeting modern regulatory requirements that the obsolete BPW37 does not specify.

The OP800 series (OP800A, OP800B, OP800C) and OP801WSL provide direct functional equivalence with identical dark current specifications and thermal operating range. These parts are suitable for applications where viewing angle is not a critical parameter.

The OP804 series (OP804SL, OP804TX, OP804TXV) and OP805 series (OP805SL, OP805TX, OP805TXV) offer expanded viewing angles of 24°, providing broader optical acceptance compared to the BPW37's 20° specification. Parts designated with "TX" or "TXV" suffixes incorporate this wider viewing angle characteristic.

All substitute parts operate at a reduced maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 30 V compared to the BPW37's 45 V rating. This lower voltage specification is acceptable in applications where circuit design maintains operating voltages within the 30 V limit. Similarly, the reduced maximum power dissipation of 250 mW versus 300 mW requires verification that thermal design does not exceed this lower threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I directly replace BPW37 with any of the listed substitute parts?

A: Direct replacement is possible for all listed parts within the constraints of your circuit design. All substitute parts share identical package geometry (TO-206AA), mounting method (through-hole), orientation (top view), operating temperature range (-65°C to 125°C), and dark current specification (100 nA). Verify that your circuit design operates within the 30 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage limit and does not exceed 250 mW power dissipation.

Q: What is the difference between OP804 and OP805 series parts?

A: Both OP804 and OP805 series parts are functionally equivalent in all specified parameters. The distinction between series designations reflects Optek Technology's product line organization but does not indicate electrical or mechanical differences relevant to substitution. Selection between these series should be based on part availability and packaging options.

Q: Why do some substitute parts have "TX" or "TXV" suffixes?

A: Parts designated with "TX" or "TXV" suffixes incorporate a 24° viewing angle specification, compared to the unspecified or narrower viewing angles of other variants. This wider optical acceptance angle may be beneficial in applications requiring broader light detection coverage. Parts without these suffixes do not specify a viewing angle parameter.

Q: Are the substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: All listed substitute parts carry ROHS3 compliance certification. The original BPW37 does not specify RoHS compliance status. If your application or supply chain requires RoHS compliance, the substitute parts satisfy this requirement.

Q: What is the significance of the 45 V versus 30 V breakdown voltage difference?

A: The BPW37 specifies a maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 45 V, while all substitute parts specify 30 V. This means substitute parts must not be operated at voltages exceeding 30 V. If your circuit design operates the phototransistor at voltages between 30 V and 45 V, the substitute parts are not suitable without circuit redesign.

Q: Can I use OP800A, OP800B, and OP800C interchangeably?

A: Yes. OP800A, OP800B, and OP800C are electrically and mechanically identical across all specified parameters. Differences in part numbers reflect manufacturing or packaging variants only. Selection among these three parts should be based on inventory availability and supplier preference.

Q: What does "Moisture Sensitivity Level 1 (Unlimited)" mean?

A: MSL 1 (Unlimited) indicates that the component has no moisture sensitivity restrictions and does not require special handling, storage, or baking procedures prior to soldering. This specification is identical across the BPW37 and all substitute parts.

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