215 - Low Voltage Fast-Switching PNP Power Transistor | STMicroelectronics
MPN: 215 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.35 | $0.35 |
| 10 | $0.3 | $3.00 |
| 100 | $0.22 | $22.00 |
| 500 | $0.16 | $80.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.12 | $120.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for 215 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
2STR2215
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
2STR1215
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
215 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Transistor Type | PNP power bipolar junction transistor |
| Technology | PB-HCD (Power Bipolar High Current Density) |
| Key Performance Traits | High current gain, very low saturation voltage |
| Switching Character | Low voltage fast-switching |
| Complementary NPN Device | 2STR1215 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| Datasheet Pages | 11 pages per Alldatasheet listing |
215 [data_needed: package type] Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for 215 ([data_needed: package type] package). This power device features gate, drain, and source terminals. For non-polarized packages, refer to the manufacturer datasheet for exact pin 1 orientation and footprint details. Common applications include power supply design, motor driving, and load switching.
![[data_needed: package type] package pinout diagram for 215](/assets/package-diagrams/default.svg?v=1789225621)
No detailed pinout data available for 215.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Safe Operating Area
Typical Applications
215 is suitable for 6 applications: Relay and Solenoid Drivers, Industrial Control Switching, DC-DC Converter Output and Load Switches, LED Driver Switching Stages, Motor Control Subcircuits, General-Purpose Power Switching in Consumer Equipment.
Relay and Solenoid Drivers
The 215 fits relay and solenoid driver stages because PB-HCD technology provides very low VCE(sat), minimizing conduction dissipation while the coil is energized. In a typical high-side PNP configuration, the emitter ties to the supply rail and the base is pulled low through a resistor to saturate the device; a clamp diode across the coil absorbs inductive flyback. The fast-switching character shortens turn-on and turn-off transitions, reducing switching energy per actuation. Verify the collector current rating against the coil inrush, since solenoid inrush can far exceed holding current.
Recommended
Industrial Control Switching
In factory automation and process-control boards, the 215 serves as a low-cost power switch for lamps, actuators, and auxiliary supplies. The high current gain of the PB-HCD process allows a small logic-side current to control a substantial collector load, simplifying interface circuitry between microcontrollers and power loads. Its very low saturation voltage keeps on-state losses low in continuously-on duty, easing thermal design on dense industrial PCBs. Designers should budget base-drive current and confirm safe operating area at the ambient temperature of the control cabinet, and consider the 2STR1215 complementary NPN when bidirectional or push-pull switching is needed.
Recommended
DC-DC Converter Output and Load Switches
The 215 can act as a series pass or load-switch element in low-voltage DC-DC and point-of-load circuits. Very low VCE(sat) translates to a low, predictable voltage drop between input and output, which is valuable when headroom is limited. Because it is a bipolar device, base current adds to quiescent consumption - an acceptable trade at higher load currents where conduction loss dominates. Fast switching supports PWM dimming and power-gating schemes at moderate frequencies. Add a base speed-up network to minimize storage time, and confirm power dissipation and junction temperature at worst-case load using the manufacturer datasheet thermal data.
Recommended
LED Driver Switching Stages
The 215 is a practical high-side switch for LED strings and signage loads, where PNP polarity simplifies drive from a grounded logic signal. The high current-gain PB-HCD process lets a few milliamps of base current control LED currents of hundreds of milliamps to amperes, and the very low saturation voltage keeps the transistor's contribution to the power budget small, preserving voltage margin for the LED string itself. For PWM dimming, the fast-switching character supports the required edges at typical dimming frequencies, though storage time should be characterized. A series base resistor sets the drive level and limits logic-port loading.
Recommended
Motor Control Subcircuits
Within small motor drive boards - fans, pumps, and actuators - the 215 can implement high-side switching or part of a complementary half-bridge together with the 2STR1215 NPN. Matching the PB-HCD PNP/NPN pair gives symmetric gain and saturation behavior, which helps balance bridge legs. The very low VCE(sat) reduces on-state heating during stall or start-up events when motor current peaks. Designers must respect the datasheet current and SOA limits during locked-rotor conditions and add appropriate freewheeling paths for the winding. Base drive must be maintained through the entire current range to keep the device out of the linear region.
Recommended
General-Purpose Power Switching in Consumer Equipment
White goods, adapters, and small appliances use PNP power BJTs like the 215 for cost-effective switching of heaters, valves, indicators, and auxiliary rails. The PB-HCD process delivers high gain and low saturation voltage at a price point competitive with small MOSFETs, and bipolar devices tolerate surge and ESD events comparatively well. Implementation is simple: an NPN or logic-level MOSFET level-shifter pulls the PNP base low through a resistor to energize the load. Confirm the collector current rating and package thermal capability against the load, and verify RoHS status of the specific orderable variant during sourcing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for 215 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | 2STR2215 | 2STR1215 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Package | [DATA_NEEDED: Package type] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Polarity | PNP | PNP (same die family) | NPN (complementary) |
| Technology | PB-HCD | PB-HCD | PB-HCD |
| Saturation Voltage | Very low (per manufacturer description) | Very low (identical process) | Very low (identical process) |
| Current Gain (hFE) | [DATA_NEEDED: hFE] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Switching Character | Low-voltage fast-switching | Low-voltage fast-switching | Low-voltage fast-switching |
| Complementary Pair | 2STR1215 (NPN) | 2STR1215 (NPN) | 2STR2215 (PNP) |
Key Differentiators
- PB-HCD high current density process (vs 2STR1215)
- Very low saturation voltage reduces conduction loss (vs generic PNP BJTs of comparable rating)
- Fast-switching classification (vs 2STR2215 packaged variant)
Design Notes
As a bipolar device, the 215 requires continuous base current proportional to collector current divided by the forced beta. Size the base resistor so the device stays in hard saturation at maximum load; under-driven operation raises VCE(sat) sharply and increases power dissipation. Estimate dissipation as P = VCE(sat) x IC + VBE x IB, then verify junction temperature using the package thermal resistance from the manufacturer datasheet.
Bipolar transistors exhibit storage time when coming out of saturation, which slows turn-off in fast-switching designs. If switching edges matter - PWM dimming, motor PWM, converter switching - add a small speed-up capacitor across the base resistor or a Baker clamp (Schottky diode from collector to base, e.g., a BAT46-class part) to prevent deep saturation and shorten transition times.
The bare identifier 215 is used by multiple manufacturers for unrelated parts; ordering by this short number risks receiving the wrong device. Always specify the full STMicroelectronics orderable part number (family member 2STR2215 for the PNP PB-HCD device) including packaging suffix. Also confirm the package pinout from the datasheet before finalizing the PCB footprint, since base/collector/emitter positions vary between packages.
Compliance Information
Compliance status for the 215 identifier was not present in the verified web data; confirm on the STMicroelectronics product page for the orderable variant 2STR2215.
