BD241C Transistor Pinout, Equivalents, Features, Applications and Other Details

This post contains information about BD241C transistor pinout, equivalents, features, applications and other details about this TO-220 package NPN transistor.

Absolute Maximum Ratings:

• Package Type: TO-126
• Transistor Type:  NPN
• Max Collector Current(I_C): 3A
• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CEO): 100V
• Max Collector-Base Voltage (V_CBO): 115V
• Max Emitter-Base Voltage (V_EBO): 5V
• Max Collector Power Dissipation (P_C): 40W
• Max Transition Frequency (f_T): 3 MHz
• Minimum & Maximum DC Current Gain (h_FE): 10 to 25
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: -65 to +150 Centigrade

PNP Complementary:

The PNP complimentary of BD241C is BD242C

Replacement and Equivalent:

TIP102, TIP122, TIP132, TIP42T, BDX53C, BDX33C, BDW93C, BDW73C, BDW63C, BDW43, BDW42, BDW23C, BDT87, BDT85, BDT63C, BDT61B, BD953, BD941, BD939, BD801, BD651, BD649, BD545C, BD543C,  BD539D, BD539C, BD243C, 2SD866A, 2SD743A, 2SD560, 2SD525, 2SD363, 2SD2495, 2SD2059, 2SD1892, 2SD1829, 2SD1415, 2SD1407A, 2SD1407, 2SD1355, 2SD1195, 2SC4153, 2SC2527, 2SC2334, BDX53D.

BD241C Transistor Explained / Description:

BD241C is another transistor from BD241 series of medium power transistors that comes in TO-220 package designed to be used in switching and amplification applications. The pin configuration of the transistor are as follow: the first pin of the transistor is Base, the second is Collector and the third one is Emitter. There are also other transistors in the series which are BD241, BD241A, and BD241B. All these transistors are slightly different from each other according to their voltage ratings so you can use them according to your load requirements. For example, if your load requirements are under 36V then you can use BD241. The maximum collector-emitter voltage of BD241 is 45V but it is not recommended to use a transistor or any other component on its absolute maximum ratings so we will use it at least 20% below from its absolute maximum ratings. Same as if your requirements are under 48V then you can use BD241A and so on.

There is also a series of the complimentary transistors for these transistors such as BD242/A/B/C.

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

As mentioned above the BD241C transistor is designed to be used in amplification and switching applications. So there are hundreds of applications that come under these two categories. But BD241C can also be used in variety of other applications. The detailed list of its applications can be found below under “Applications” heading.

The Using procedure of the transistor is same as we use any other BJT transistor.

Applications:

Motor Drivers

Inverter Circuits

Dimmers

Battery discharging circuits

Relay drivers circuits

Battery charger circuits

DC to AC Converters

Audio Amplifiers

Power converter circuits

Temperature Control Circuits

Variety of General Purpose Applications

Safe Operating Guidelines:

Here are some guidelines to use the transistor safely.

• To increase the life span of the transistor it is important not use it on its absolute maximum ratings and always stay 20% below from its max ratings.
• The collector-emitter voltage of the transistor is 100V so according to the 20% rule you should drive load under 80V.
• Max collector current of the transistor is 3A but we will only use 2.4A.
• The operating and store temperature is from -65°C to 150°C, so do not use it in any applications in which the internal and outer temperature will cross these limits.

Datasheet:

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

https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/bd241c-d.pdf