BD240/A/B/C Pinout, Equivalents, Features, Applications and Other Important Info

BD240 is a PNP transistor available in TO-220 package. The transistor is available in four different variations and each variation has different voltage ratings. In this post we will discuss about BD240/A/B/C pinout, equivalents, features, applications and other important info about these transistors.

Absolute Maximum Ratings:

• Package Type: TO-220
• Transistor Type: PNP
• Max Collector Current(I_C): 2A
• Max Peak Collector Current(I_CP): 4A
• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CEO): –45V (BD240), -60V (BD240A), -80V (BD240B), -100V (BD240C)
• Max Emitter-Base Voltage (VEBO): –5V
• Max Base Current (I_B): 600mA
• Max Collector Power Dissipation (Pc): 30W
• Minimum & Maximum DC Current Gain (h_FE): 40
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: –65 to +150 Centigrade

PNP Complementary:

PNP Complementary of BD240/A/B/C is BD239/A/B/C

Replacement and Equivalent:

BDX54, BDX34, BDW94, BDW74, BDW64, BDW54, BDT84, BDT82, BDT64, BDT60, BD898, BD896, BD646, BD644, BD544A, BD540A, BDW24, BDW46, BD538, BD534, TIP136, TIP125, TIP115, NTE153, TIP105, TIP126, MJE703T, MJE701T, 2SB996, 2SB994, 2SB993, 2SB992, 2SB951, 2SB950, 2SB949, 2SB946, 2SB946, 2SB945, 2SB944, 2SB943, 2SB942, 2SB941, 2SB882, 2SB870, 2SB858, 2SB857, 2SB834, 2SB825, 2SB824, 2SB762, 2SB761, 2SB751, 2SB750, 2SB747, 2SB707, 2SB703, 2SB675, 2SB674, 2SB633, 2SB566, 2SB565, 2SB553, 2SB514, 2SB507, 2SB434, 2SB1566, 2SB1565, 2SB1548, 2SB1375, 2SB1368, 2SB1274, 2SB1223, 2SB1136, 2SB1135, 2SB1134, 2SB1133, 2SB1097, 2SB1019, 2SB1018, 2SB1017, 2SB1015, 2N6040, 2N6668, 2N6667, 2N6041, 2SA769, 2SA748, 2SA614, 2SA489, 2SA1744, 2SA1743, 2SA1742, 2SA1725, 2SA1634, 2SA1470, 2SA1469, 2SA1451, 2SA1388, 2SA1328, 2SA1307, 2SA1293, 2SA1291, 2SA1288, 2SA1279, 2SA1258, 2SA1012.

BD240/A/B/C Transistor Explained / Description:

BD240 and its variations A/B/C are TO-220 package medium power PNP transistors. The main features of the transistors are continuous collector current of 2A and peak collector current of 4A, Collector dissipation of up to 30W, the same series of NPN complimentary transistors BD239/A/B/C are manufactured to pair with them, different variations of collector-emitter voltage are available to use according to the circuit requirements.

Looking at the pinout of the transistors as shown in the image the first pin is Base, second pin is Collector and the third pin is Emitter.

The absolute maximum ratings of all the variations are almost identical except for some voltages such as collector-emitter voltage (VCER), collection-emitter voltage (VCEO), collector cutoff current (ICEO), collector-emitter sustaining voltage (VCEO^(sus)), and collector cut-off current (ICES).

The absolute maximum ratings of all variations are as follows:

The collector-emitter voltage (VCEO) of BD240 is -45V, BD240A is -60V, BD240V is -80V and BD240C is -100V. Other maximum ratings are same in all variations such as collector current of 2A, emitter-base voltage of -5V, base current of 600mA, collector power dissipation of 30W, junction temperature of 150°C and storage temperature of -65°C to 150°C.

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

BD240/A/B/C are designed to be used in linear applications, switching applications, voltage handling etc. A detailed list of its applications can be found below under the “Applications” heading. Using procedure of the transistor is same as we use other BJTs by applying negative signal (the signal you want to amplify or from which you want to control the load) at its base, connecting Emitter pin with the positive rail of the circuit, connecting collector pin with the positive connection of the load and the load’s negative connection will be connected with the circuits negative or ground.

Applications:

Audio Amplifiers

Motor Drivers

Audio amplifier driver stages

Relay Drivers

Switching Circuits

Voltage regulators

Power Supplies

Driving load of upto 2A

Safe Operating Guidelines:

Here are the safe operating guidelines of the transistor.

• To safely operate the transistor it is recommended not to use the transistor to its absolute maximum ratings and stay 20% below from these ratings.
• So the maximum collector current of the transistor is 2A but by following the above 20% below guideline we will only use 1.6A.
• Same guide will follow in the collector-emitter voltage for example the max collector-emitter voltage of BD240C is -100V so we will not drive load of more than -80V. Same procedure will be used in other variations.
• Check the pin layout before using in the circuit.
• Use a proper heatsink with the transistor.
• Always store or operate the transistor at temperatures above -65°C and below 150°C.

Datasheet:

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

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/149/BD240-196168.pdf