Loading…
TO-92 · PN2222A
ActiveNPN General-Purpose BJT
PN2222A
onsemi · TO-92 · NPN General-Purpose BJT
Price on Request
Get a competitive quote within 24 hours. Volume discounts available. Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 business days.
Overview
The PN2222A is the TO-92 member of the venerable 2N2222 family and remains onsemi's default medium-current NPN switch and amplifier. It is rated 40V collector-emitter, 75V collector-base and 6.0V emitter-base, with a continuous collector current of 600mA (the absolute-maximum table allows 1.0A), which puts it a clear step above the 200mA 2N3904 while keeping the same familiar E-B-C pinout.
DC current gain is 100 to 300 at IC = 150mA and VCE = 10V, falling to a minimum of 40 at 500mA, so base drive should be sized for the low end of the band when switching heavy loads. Saturation is tight for a bipolar part: 0.3V maximum at IC = 150mA with IB = 15mA, and 1.0V maximum at 500mA with 50mA of base current. The 300MHz gain-bandwidth product and 10ns delay / 25ns rise time make it usable well into the hundreds of kilohertz.
Thermally the TO-92 dissipates 625mW at TA = 25°C (derate 5.0mW/°C) with a junction-to-ambient resistance of 200°C/W, so anything above a few hundred milliamps of continuous current needs copper area or a smaller duty cycle. The part is second-sourced by onsemi, STMicroelectronics, Diodes Inc and Central Semiconductor, and is one of the most counterfeited TO-92 devices; verify hFE at 150mA and VCE(sat) on incoming inspection. Shenzhen stock is deep, MOQ 2,000 pcs on tape or 1,000 pcs bulk.
Key Features
- 40V / 600mA NPN in TO-92, 2N2222A family
- hFE 100-300 at IC = 150mA, VCE = 10V
- VCE(sat) 0.3V max at 150mA - efficient switching
- 300MHz fT for fast switching and RF use
- 625mW dissipation, -55 to +150°C junction
Typical Applications
- Switching relays, solenoids and lamps up to 500mA
- General-purpose small-signal amplification
- Driver stage ahead of power transistors and MOSFET gates
- Level shifting and open-collector logic interfacing
- Class-A and push-pull audio pre-driver stages
- Sensor interface and current-source circuits
Specifications
- Polarity / Channel Type
- NPN
- Collector-Emitter Voltage (VCEO)
- 40 V
- Collector-Base Voltage (VCBO)
- 75 V
- Continuous Collector Current (IC)
- 600 mA
- DC Current Gain hFE (IC = 150 mA, VCE = 10 V)
- 100 to 300
- VCE(sat) max (IC = 150 mA, IB = 15 mA)
- 0.3 V
- Gain-Bandwidth Product (fT)
- 300 MHz
- Power Dissipation (PD, TA = 25 °C)
- 625 mW
- Pins
- 3
- RoHS
- Compliant
Procurement Tips
Specify the exact ordering code (for example PN2222ABU bulk or PN2222ATA ammo) on your BOM; generic 2N2222A line items invite package and gain-band substitutions that change your base-drive design.
Frequently Asked Questions
PN2222A vs 2N3904 - when do I choose which?
Both are TO-92 NPN with 40V VCEO and similar hFE. The 2N3904 is a 200mA small-signal part; the PN2222A handles 600mA continuous with better gain at high current (100 min at 150mA vs 30 min at 100mA for the 2N3904). Use 2N3904 below 100mA, PN2222A for relay and lamp loads.
PN2222A vs 2N2222A - same thing?
Electrically the same family. 2N2222A traditionally refers to the metal-can TO-18 version rated 800mA; PN2222A is the plastic TO-92 version rated 600mA continuous. Pinouts differ between packages, so check the datasheet for your package before laying out the board.
How much base current do I need to saturate it at 400mA?
Design for a forced beta of 10: about 40mA of base current guarantees saturation at 400mA. The datasheet guarantees VCE(sat) of 1.0V max at IC = 500mA with IB = 50mA, so a 4.7kΩ base resistor from 5V (about 0.9mA) is far too weak for a 400mA load.
Can the PN2222A be used as a linear amplifier?
Yes. With 300MHz fT and hFE of 100-300 it makes a good small-signal stage, but thermal runaway is a risk in class-A at high current because TO-92 dissipation is only 625mW. Add an emitter resistor for bias stability and keep quiescent dissipation under about 300mW.
Is the PN2222A counterfeit-prone?
Yes, TO-92 bipolars are among the most remarked parts. Common frauds are low-gain dies sold as high-gain bands and pulled e-waste parts. Curve-trace hFE at IC = 150mA (genuine reads 100-300) and check VCE(sat) at 150mA/15mA. We test samples from every reel and provide C-of-C on request.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ is 2,000 pcs on tape-and-reel or 1,000 pcs bulk for onsemi PN2222A; 100 pcs loose for prototyping. Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 days; authorized onsemi replenishment is 10-16 weeks.
Alternatives & Equivalents
View full cross-reference table →Need PN2222A pricing and availability?
Submit an RFQ — we reply within 24 hours with stock, pricing, lead time and packaging options.
Request a Quote →