BC171 Transistor Pinout, Applications, Equivalent, Features and Other Details

BC171 is a NPN BJT available in TO-92 package. This post contains information about BC171 transistor pinout, applications, equivalent, features and other details such as where and how to use it, safe operating guidelines and more.

 

Absolute Maximum Ratings:

• Package Type: TO-92
• Transistor Type: NPN
• Max Collector Current(I_C): 100mA
• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CEO): 45V
• Max Collector-Base Voltage (V_CBO): 50V
• Max Emitter-Base Voltage (VEBO): 6V
• Total Device Dissipation (PD): 350mW
• Max Transition Frequency (fT): 150 MHz
• Small Signal Current Gain (h_FE): 125 – 900
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: –55 to +150 Centigrade

 

Replacement and Equivalent:

MPSA18, BC550, BC547B/C, BC546B/C, BC447, BC524/A/B/C, BC523/B/C, BC539/B/C, BC447B, BC385A/B, BD337, BC445, BD237C, BC182A/B, 2SD1014, 2SC2634, 2SC2477, 2SC2474, 2SC1992.

 

BC171 Transistor Explained / Description:

BC171 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor available in TO-92 package. The transistor contains some good features that make it capable to use in many applications. Some features of the transistor are as follows: Transition frequency of 150MHz, small signal current gain is from 125 to 900, maximum noise figure is 10dB, and DC current gain of 120 to 800.

BC171 belongs to a series of transistors which also contains other transistor such as BC171, BC172, and BC174. All the transistors of the series are almost identical to each other and can be used alternatively but the only one thing you should keep in mind before using it in your circuit is the maximum limit of their collector-emitter voltage. For higher voltage circuits which require upto 50V you can use BC174 and for lower voltage circuits you can use BC172. Moreover, other alternative or replacement transistors are also mentioned above so you can also select from these if you want to use an alternative.

Now looking at the absolute maximum ratings of the transistor, the collector-emitter voltage is 45V, collector current is 100mA, collector-base voltage is 50V, emitter-base voltage is 6V, total device dissipation is 350mW and max storage and operating junction temperature is from -55 °C to +150°C.

 

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

BC171 is designed to be used in amplifier circuit but looking at its specs we can say that it can also be used in other applications such as switching, RF, preamplifiers, signal amplifications etc. The detailed list of its applications can be found below.

Regarding to the using procedure, it is a BJT transistor so it’s using procedure is same as you use any other BJT transistor for example BC547, 2N3904 or these type of NPN general purpose small signal transistors.

 

Applications:

Audio Preamplifiers

Audio Amplifiers

Any type of signal amplification

Radio Circuits (Up to around 150MHz)

Transmitter Circuits (Up to around 150MHz)

Darlington Pairs

Active Filters

Switching Loads under 100mA

 

Safe Operating Guidelines:

Here are the safe operating guidelines of the transistor.

• Always use the transistor 20% below from its absolute maximum ratings.
• The maximum collector current is 100mA but according to the above 20% below usage guideline we will only use 80mA.
• The maximum collector-emitter voltage is 45V but same as above we will only use 36V which is the 80% of the total limit.
• Regarding to the storage and operating junction temperature of the transistor the internal and surrounding temperature of the transistor should be between -55°C to +150°C.

 

Datasheet:

To download the datasheet just copy and paste the below link in your browser.

https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/615563/NJSEMI/BC171.html