BC517 Transistor Pinout, Equivalent, Uses, Features & Applications

Today we are going to discuss BC517 transistor, pinout, equivalent, uses, features, applications, where and how to use in a circuit and how to safely use in electronic circuit.

Features / technical specifications:

• Package Type: TO-92
• Transistor Type: NPN Darlington
• Max Collector Current(I_C): 1.2A
• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CE): 30V
• Max Collector-Base Voltage (V_CB): 40V
• Max Emitter-Base Voltage (VEBO): 10V
• Max Collector Dissipation (Pc): 625 miliWatt
• Max Transition Frequency (fT): 200 MHz
• Minimum & Maximum DC Current Gain (h_FE): 30000
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: -55 to +150 Centigrade

PNP Complementary:

PNP Complementary of BC517 is BC516

Replacement and Equivalent:

MPSW45A, 2N6426 (Pin configuration of these transistors are different from BC517, check pin configuration before replacing in a circuit)

BC517 Transistor Explained / Description:

BC517 is an NPN darlington transistor manufactured in TO-92 package, a darlington transistor is a pair of combined two BJT transistor connected with each other in a wiring called darlington pair in a single package for obtaining high gain and to switch ON higher current on very small base current.

The transistor BC517 has also a very high DC current gain as compare to other normal NPN transistors that is 30,000 due to which this device can be used as a switch where there is very small or low amount of current base current is available and where other normal BJT NPN transistors are not saturating on that small current. It can drive 1.2A load at its output which is a good feature for driving variety of loads with very small current. It will also perform well in audio amplification stages in audio circuits.

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

It is a very high gain transistor, therefore it can be used to amplify low gain current signals to high gain, and it can be used in stages where there is requirement of amplifying low gain signals. For example in audio preamplifier stages it provides good gain to very weak audio signals. Besides audio circuits it can be used to amplify variety of low gain signals. When used as a switch it will become saturated on very small amount of current. It can be used to drive LEDs, Relays, motors, other transistors and parts of circuits in an electronic circuit under 1200mA. This is an ideal transistor to use in educational, hobby and commercial electronic circuits.

Applications:

Sensor Circuits

Audio Preamplifiers

Audio Amplifier Stages

Switching Loads under 1.2A

Battery Chargers

Motor Driver

How to Safely Long Run in a Circuit:

To safely run this transistor and for long run in your circuit or electronic projects it is recommended to not operate this transistor from voltage higher than 30V, connect its pins correctly in the circuit and also do not connect load more than 1.2A or 1200mA. The minimum and maximum temperature of this transistor is -55 centigrade to +150 centigrade therefore do not use or store it in temperatures above +150 centigrade and below -55 centigrade.