PN5142 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The PN5142 is a PNP bipolar junction transistor manufactured by onsemi, rated for 20 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 500 mA maximum collector current in a TO-92-3 through-hole package. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitute parts necessary for new designs and ongoing production requirements. The PN5142 remains available in inventory with 803 pieces in stock, but active alternatives with enhanced electrical specifications are available from multiple manufacturers.

Key Parameters

Parameter	PN5142 Specification
Transistor Type	PNP
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	500 mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	20 V
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the PN5142 are qualified based on the following criteria:

Mandatory Compatibility Parameters:

Transistor Type: PNP (identical polarity required)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (physical installation compatibility)
Package / Case: TO-92-3 (mechanical and pin configuration match)

Electrical Substitution Logic: Substitute parts must meet or exceed the PN5142 electrical requirements. The PN5142 specifies 500 mA maximum collector current and 20 V maximum collector-emitter breakdown voltage. All qualified substitutes operate at reduced maximum collector current (200 mA) but provide enhanced voltage rating (40 V), resulting in superior electrical performance within the same physical package. This configuration ensures backward compatibility for applications designed around the PN5142 specifications.

Qualifying Substitutes: All five substitute parts (2N3906TAR, 2N3906TF, 2N3906TFR, 2N3906TA, 2N3906BU) share identical electrical specifications and package configuration, differing only in manufacturer, packaging format, and product status.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	PN5142	2N3906TAR	2N3906TF	2N3906TFR	2N3906TA	2N3906BU
Manufacturer	onsemi	onsemi	onsemi	onsemi	Fairchild Semiconductor	Fairchild Semiconductor
Transistor Type	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP	PNP
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	500 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	20 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	Not specified	400mV @ 5mA, 50mA	400mV @ 5mA, 50mA	400mV @ 5mA, 50mA	400mV @ 5mA, 50mA	400mV @ 5mA, 50mA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	Not specified	100 @ 10mA, 1V	100 @ 10mA, 1V	100 @ 10mA, 1V	100 @ 10mA, 1V	100 @ 10mA, 1V
Power - Max	Not specified	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW
Frequency - Transition	Not specified	250MHz	250MHz	250MHz	250MHz	250MHz
Operating Temperature	Not specified	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)	-55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3	TO-226-3, TO-92-3
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	Not specified	Not specified

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (onsemi Manufacturer): The 2N3906TAR, 2N3906TF, and 2N3906TFR variants are manufactured by onsemi, the original PN5142 manufacturer. These parts carry ROHS3 compliance certification and active product status, ensuring long-term availability and regulatory alignment. Selection among these three onsemi variants depends on packaging requirements: 2N3906TAR and 2N3906TFR are supplied in cut tape format, while 2N3906TF is also available in cut tape. Inventory levels support production requirements, with 2N3906TAR offering 9,200 pieces and 2N3906TFR offering 1,340 pieces.

Secondary Substitutes (Fairchild Semiconductor): The 2N3906TA and 2N3906BU are manufactured by Fairchild Semiconductor and provide identical electrical specifications to the onsemi variants. The 2N3906TA is supplied in bulk packaging with 32,320 pieces in inventory, while 2N3906BU is available with 50,200 pieces in inventory. RoHS compliance status is not specified for these Fairchild variants.

Compliance Considerations: Applications requiring RoHS3 compliance should prioritize onsemi-manufactured substitutes (2N3906TAR, 2N3906TF, 2N3906TFR). All substitute parts maintain EAR99 export classification and REACH unaffected status, matching the regulatory profile of the original PN5142.

Electrical Performance: All substitute parts provide enhanced voltage rating (40 V versus 20 V) while operating at reduced maximum collector current (200 mA versus 500 mA). Applications designed for the PN5142 operating within 200 mA collector current specifications benefit from the improved voltage margin without circuit modification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 2N3906 series directly replace the PN5142 in existing designs?

A: Direct replacement is possible for applications where collector current does not exceed 200 mA. The 2N3906 series provides superior voltage rating (40 V versus 20 V), ensuring enhanced performance margin. Pin configuration and package dimensions are identical between PN5142 and all 2N3906 variants in TO-92-3 format.

Q: What is the primary difference between onsemi and Fairchild 2N3906 variants?

A: Electrical specifications are identical across all 2N3906 variants. Differences exist in manufacturer, packaging format (cut tape versus bulk), and RoHS certification status. onsemi variants carry ROHS3 compliance; Fairchild variants do not specify RoHS status in provided documentation.

Q: Are there packaging format differences among the substitute parts?

A: Yes. The 2N3906TAR, 2N3906TF, and 2N3906TFR are supplied in cut tape format. The 2N3906TA is supplied in bulk packaging with formed leads. The 2N3906BU packaging format is not specified. All variants use identical TO-92-3 physical package configuration.

Q: Which substitute part offers the highest inventory availability?

A: The 2N3906BU (Fairchild Semiconductor) provides the highest inventory level with 50,200 pieces in stock, followed by 2N3906TA (Fairchild Semiconductor) with 32,320 pieces. Among onsemi variants, 2N3906TAR offers 9,200 pieces.

Q: Does the reduced maximum collector current (200 mA versus 500 mA) affect circuit compatibility?

A: Compatibility depends on application current requirements. If the design operates at collector currents below 200 mA, the 2N3906 series substitutes function identically to the PN5142. Applications requiring collector currents between 200 mA and 500 mA require circuit redesign or alternative component selection.

Q: What compliance certifications should be verified for new production designs?

A: For RoHS-regulated applications, onsemi-manufactured variants (2N3906TAR, 2N3906TF, 2N3906TFR) carry ROHS3 compliance certification. All substitute parts maintain EAR99 export classification and REACH unaffected status. Fairchild variants do not specify RoHS compliance in provided documentation.

Q: Are the electrical characteristics (hFE, Vce saturation) identical across all 2N3906 variants?

A: Yes. All 2N3906 variants specify DC current gain minimum of 100 at 10 mA and 1 V, and Vce saturation maximum of 400 mV at 5 mA and 50 mA base and collector currents respectively. These parameters are consistent across onsemi and Fairchild manufacturing sources.

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