Automotive-grade NPN transistor for 12 V and 24 V loads
The Infineon BC817K-16WH6327 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor qualified to AEC-Q101, rated for a collector-emitter breakdown of 45 V and a continuous collector current of 500 mA. The device is housed in a standard SOT-323 (SC-70) surface-mount package, with a power dissipation ceiling of 500 mW. The 170 MHz transition frequency gives enough bandwidth for moderate-speed switching applications such as PWM fan control, lamp dimming, and low-frequency DC-DC converter drive stages.
The '16' suffix in the order code denotes a DC current gain (hFE) of 100 minimum at 100 mA collector current with 1 V Vce. This is the medium-gain bin in the BC817K family, offering a good balance between saturation voltage and drive current. At the rated test point, Vce saturation is a maximum of 700 mV at 50 mA base current and 500 mA collector current, which keeps conduction losses manageable in a saturated switch. Substituting a different gain group without adjusting the base resistor may shift the saturation depth or switching speed.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
For dual-sourcing flexibility, the BC817K family includes pin-compatible gain-group variants that share the same SOT-323 footprint and AEC-Q101 qualification, though the hFE bin differs.
Package and reflow considerations
The SOT-323 (SC-70) package is a small three-lead surface-mount body. It is compatible with standard lead-free reflow profiles.