BC548C Low-Power NPN Transistor

Description

BC548 is a NPN transistor so the collector and emitter will be left open (Reverse biased) when the base pin is held at ground
and will be closed (Forward biased) when a signal is provided to base pin. BC548 has a gain value of 110 to 800, this value
determines the amplification capacity of the transistor. The maximum amount of current that could flow through the Collector
pin is 500mA, hence we cannot connect loads that consume more than 500mA using this transistor. To bias a transistor we have
to supply current to base pin, this current (IB) should be limited to 5mA.

When the transistor is fully biased, it can allow a maximum of 500mA to flow across the collector and emitter. This stage is
called Saturation Region and the typical voltage allowed across the Collector-Emitter (V­CE) or Base-Emitter (VBE) could be 200
and 900 mV respectively. When base current is removed the transistor becomes fully off, this stage is called as the Cut-off
Region and the Base Emitter voltage could be around 660 mV.

BC548 Pin Configuration

Pin Number —– Pin Name —– Description
1                         Collector          Current flows in through collector
2                         Base                Controls the biasing of transistor
3                        Emitter              Current Drains out through emitter

BC548 Transistor Features

• Bi-Polar NPN Transistor
• DC Current Gain (hFE) is 800 maximum
• Continuous Collector current (IC) is 500mA
• Emitter Base Voltage (VBE) is 5V
• Base Current(IB) is 5mA maximum
• Available in To-92 Package