BC556

Single Bipolar Transistors Overview

The BC556 is a PNP silicon epitaxial planar transistor designed for switching and audio frequency amplifier applications. It features a collector-emitter voltage of -65 V, a collector-base voltage of -80 V, and an emitter-base voltage of -5 V. The device supports a continuous collector current of -100 mA with a total power dissipation of 500 mW at 25°C ambient temperature. It operates within a junction temperature range of -65°C to +150°C and is housed in a TO-92 plastic package.

Single Bipolar Transistors Feature Summary

• High voltage capability suitable for demanding circuit environments
• Optimized for low-noise performance in signal processing
• Designed as the complementary counterpart to the BC546 NPN transistor

Single Bipolar Transistors Applications

• General-purpose switching circuits
• Audio frequency amplification stages
• Complementary pairs with BC546 transistors

Single Bipolar Transistors Procurement Notes

Verify the specific manufacturer source, as Fairchild Semiconductor products are now distributed under onsemi branding. Confirm RoHS compliance status and lead-free terminal availability against the specific production batch documentation. Ensure the TO-92 package variant matches the required pinout configuration for the target PCB layout.

Single Bipolar Transistors Selection Notes

Select this component when a high-voltage PNP transistor is required for general-purpose tasks. The BC556 offers superior noise characteristics compared to standard variants like the BC557 or BC558. It is specifically chosen for its role as the matched complement to the BC546 in differential pairs and push-pull configurations.

Single Bipolar Transistors Part Context

The BC556 belongs to the BC550 series of PNP epitaxial silicon transistors. This family includes variants such as the BC557, BC558, BC559, and BC560, which differ primarily in voltage ratings and noise specifications. The BC556 is distinguished by its high voltage rating and low-noise profile, making it distinct from the lower-voltage BC558/BC559 group.

Single Bipolar Transistors Replacement Considerations

The BC556A and BC556B are available as alternative gain-binned versions within the same series. For direct functional replacement, verify that the substitute maintains the -65V VCEO rating and TO-92 package compatibility.