BC338-16-A1 - NPN BJT 25V 800mA TO-92 | Taiwan Semiconductor
MPN: BC338-16-A1 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.03 | $0.03 |
| 10 | $0.026 | $0.26 |
| 100 | $0.022 | $2.20 |
| 500 | $0.018 | $9.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.015 | $15.00 |
BC338-16-A1 Overview
A bipolar junction transistor is a three-terminal current-controlled semiconductor device that amplifies or switches electronic signals. Within the component hierarchy, the BC338-16-A1 belongs to the small-signal/medium-current BJT family under discrete semiconductors, sitting below power transistors but above low-current general-purpose types such as the BC547. The BC338 series is the higher-current companion of the BC337 series, originally developed by Siemens (now Infineon) and widely second-sourced across the industry.
Key features include high collector current capability for a TO-92 device (800mA continuous), low collector-emitter saturation voltage for efficient switching, high current gain in the -16 grade, and a plastic-encapsulated TO-92 body with epoxy meeting UL 94 V-0 flammability. The A1 suffix on this Taiwan Semiconductor variant identifies a specific pin-configuration and packaging option; halogen-free versions are available on request with an -HF suffix.
Technically, the device is a silicon NPN transistor optimized for audio-frequency and general-purpose amplifier stages as well as low-side switching. Its gain grouping (100-250 for -16, 160-400 for -25, 250-630 for -40) lets designers select tighter hFE windows for bias-point stability. The 100MHz transition frequency supports fast switching and RF applications up to tens of megahertz.
Typical applications include LED and relay drivers, audio output stages, general-purpose amplification, motor and solenoid drive circuits, and industrial control interfaces where 800mA capability from a through-hole package simplifies prototyping and hand assembly.
Design consideration: keep power dissipation within the 625mW limit - derate above 25C ambient and verify saturation in switching use by driving sufficient base current.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for BC338-16-A1 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
BC338-16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BC338-25
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BC338-40
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BC338-16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BC338-16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BC338-16-A1 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Transistor Type | NPN Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) |
| Configuration | Single |
| Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vceo) | 25 V |
| Collector-Base Voltage (Vcbo) | 30 V |
| Collector Current (IC max) | 0.8 A |
| Power Dissipation (Pd) | 625 mW |
| Transition Frequency (ft) | 100 MHz |
| DC Current Gain (hFE) | 100 to 250 (-16 grade) |
| Package | TO-92 (through hole) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) | 1 |
| Flammability Rating | UL 94 V-0 (epoxy) |
| Halogen Free | Available on request (-HF suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Lead Free Finish / RoHS Compliant |
BC338-16-A1 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Collector — Collector terminal - connects to the load / positive supply side |
| Pin 2 | Emitter — Emitter terminal - typically connected to ground in low-side switch configurations |
| Pin 3 | Base — Base terminal - control input; drive with current-limited base resistor |
Typical Applications
BC338-16-A1 is suitable for 6 applications: LED and Relay Driver, Audio Amplifier Stages, General-Purpose Switching in Industrial Control, Small Motor and Solenoid Control, Educational and Prototyping Boards, Power Supply and Battery Charger Auxiliary Circuits.
LED and Relay Driver
The BC338-16-A1's 800mA collector current and 625mW dissipation allow direct low-side driving of LED strings, signal relays, and indicator loads from microcontroller GPIO pins - something lower-current TO-92 types like the BC547 (100-150mA class) cannot do. With hFE of 100-250 in the -16 grade, a base resistor sized for 5-10mA of base current comfortably saturates the transistor for a 500mA load (Estimated: forced beta of 50-100). The low collector-emitter saturation voltage keeps on-state losses small, so a relay coil drawing 300-500mA dissipates only about 150-250mW, well inside the 625mW limit at 25C ambient. A flyback diode across inductive loads is mandatory to absorb the turn-off transient.
Recommended
Audio Amplifier Stages
The BC338 family was originally characterized by Siemens as NPN silicon AF (audio frequency) transistors with high current gain and low collector-emitter saturation voltage, and the Taiwan Semiconductor BC338-16-A1 preserves this heritage. In class-A driver stages and class-AB output pairs of small loudspeaker amplifiers, the 100MHz transition frequency provides wide bandwidth margin so high-frequency loop gain remains high, minimizing distortion. The -16 hFE grade (100-250) gives predictable biasing with standard resistor dividers, while the 800mA capability supports output stages delivering hundreds of milliwatts into 8-ohm loads (Estimated: ~250mW RMS into 8 ohm requires ~250mA peak). The PNP complement is the BC327 series, enabling matched push-pull output configurations.
Recommended
General-Purpose Switching in Industrial Control
In industrial control panels and PLC I/O boards, the BC338-16-A1 serves as a low-cost, robust discrete switch interfacing 5V or 24V logic to lamps, buzzers, small solenoids, and optocoupler inputs. The through-hole TO-92 package withstands hand soldering, wave soldering, and mechanical stress better than SMD alternatives, and MSL 1 means unlimited floor life with no dry-cabinet handling. With 25V VCEO (30V VCBO), the device tolerates typical 24V industrial rails with margin, and its UL 94 V-0 rated epoxy package supports safety-conscious assemblies. Designers should verify total dissipation against the 625mW limit and derate above 25C ambient for panel environments.
Recommended
Small Motor and Solenoid Control
DC fan motors, small brushed motors, and latching solenoids in the sub-800mA range are well within the BC338-16-A1's capability. In low-side switch configuration with the emitter grounded, the transistor saturates fully when the base is driven with roughly 1/20th to 1/50th of the load current, keeping conduction loss low (Estimated: 400mA load with VCEsat of 0.5V dissipates 200mW). The 100MHz fT ensures fast edge rates for PWM speed control at typical 1-20kHz frequencies without significant switching loss. A freewheeling diode is essential across the motor or solenoid winding, and a small base-series resistor plus base-emitter pull-down prevents floating-pin false turn-on during microcontroller reset.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Boards
Because the BC338-16-A1 comes in a through-hole TO-92 package costing a few US cents (LCSC lists equivalent BC338-16 from about $0.028 as of 2026-10-21), it is a staple of university labs, breadboard prototyping, and hobby kits. The pin configuration (Collector-Emitter-Base on the flat face) is easy to memorize, hand soldering is trivial, and the part tolerates repeated rework. Its forgiving specifications - 800mA headroom, 625mW dissipation, hFE 100-250 - make it tolerant of student design errors that would destroy more marginal devices. Second sourcing from Taiwan Semiconductor, Diotec, and LGE further guarantees lab supply continuity.
Recommended
Power Supply and Battery Charger Auxiliary Circuits
Linear regulator and charger circuits frequently use a discrete NPN for pass-element drive, current limiting, crowbar, or status indication, and the BC338-16-A1 fits these auxiliary roles where the current stays below 800mA. Its 25V VCEO covers common 12V and 18V aux rails with margin, and the 100MHz fT supports fast current-limit feedback loops in protection circuits. In battery charger status LEDs and low-battery indicators, the high hFE grade allows the indicator to be driven directly from comparator or regulator status outputs with only microamp-to-milliamp base currents. Verify power dissipation when operating as a quasi-linear element and provide copper or spacing per the through-hole layout guidance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for BC338-16-A1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | BC338-16 (TSC) | BC338-25 (TSC) | BC338-16 (Diotec) | BC338-16 (LGE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TO-92 (through hole) | TO-92 - same | TO-92 - same | TO-92 - same | TO-92 - same |
| Brand | Taiwan Semiconductor | Taiwan Semiconductor | Taiwan Semiconductor | Diotec Semiconductor | LGE |
| VCEO | 25 V | 25 V | 25 V | 25 V | 25 V |
| Collector Current | 0.8 A | 0.8 A | 0.8 A | 0.8 A | 0.8 A |
| hFE Grade | 100-250 (-16) | 100-250 (-16) | 160-400 (-25) | 100-250 (-16) | 100-250 (-16) |
Key Differentiators
- Higher current capability than classic small-signal TO-92 BJTs (vs BC547B)
- Guaranteed gain window with selectable grades (vs BC338-25)
- Multi-source availability protects supply continuity (vs BC338-16 (Diotec))
Design Notes
Respect the 625mW dissipation limit with derating above 25C ambient. In switching duty, ensure saturation by supplying base current of at least Ic/20 (forced beta of 20) - for a 500mA load, drive 25mA base current or accept slightly higher VCEsat at lower drive. Estimated example: switching 400mA with VCEsat of 0.5V dissipates only 200mW, but the same 400mA held in the linear region at 5V VCE would dissipate 2W and destroy the device. Never use this transistor as a linear pass element without a heatsink-grade analysis.
Pin order matters: the BC338 family uses Collector-Emitter-Base (pins 1-2-3 on the flat face), which differs from the Collector-Base-Emitter ordering of the visually similar BC547 family. Substituting a BC547-type part into a BC338 footprint will swap base and emitter and cause circuit failure. Also remember the 25V VCEO ceiling - do not use on 48V rails, and always fit a flyback diode (1N4148 or 1N4007) across relay or solenoid coils to clamp inductive turn-off spikes above the breakdown voltage.
For through-hole TO-92 assembly, allow at least 2.54mm lead pitch per the package drawing and provide generous pad size for hand-soldering rework. Although the 625mW rating rarely needs thermal copper at through-hole, keeping the collector trace short and wide on single-sided boards reduces series resistance for 500mA+ loads. Keep base traces away from high-current collector paths to avoid unintended feedback in high-gain (-40 grade) variants.
With 100MHz fT, the BC338-16-A1 switches fast enough that a small base resistor (typically 1k-10k ohm from the driving logic) is needed to control edge rates and limit inrush. In PWM motor drivers above 10kHz, add a base-emitter pull-down resistor (10k-47k ohm) so the transistor stays off while the microcontroller pin is high-impedance during reset or programming.
Compliance Information
Lead-free finish and RoHS compliant per manufacturer data (P suffix designates RoHS variants). Epoxy meets UL 94 V-0 flammability. Halogen-free available upon request with -HF suffix. MSL 1.
