June 2009 Doc ID 15786 Rev 1 1/9
9
BD238
Low voltage PNP power transistor
Features
■Low saturation voltage
■PNP transistor
Applications
■Audio, power linear and switching applications
Description
The device is manufactured in planar technology
with “Base Island” layout. The resulting transistor
shows exceptional high gain performance
coupled with very low saturation voltage.
The NPN type is BD237.
Figure 1. Internal schematic diagram
SOT-32
321
(TO-126)
Table 1. Device summary
Order code Marking Package Packaging
BD238 BD238 SOT-32 Tube
www.st.com
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Absolute maximum ratings BD238
2/9 Doc ID 15786 Rev 1
1 Absolute maximum ratings
Table 2. Absolute maximum ratings
Symbol Parameter Value Unit
VCBO Collector-base voltage (IE = 0) -100 V
VCER Collector-emitter voltage (RBE = 1 kΩ) -100 V
VCEO Collector-emitter voltage (IB = 0) -80 V
VEBO Emitter-base voltage (IC = 0) -5 V
ICCollector current -2 A
ICM Collector peak current (tp < ms) -6 A
PTOT Total dissipation at Tcase = 25 °C 25 W
Tstg Storage temperature -65 to 150 °C
TJMax. operating junction temperature 150 °C
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BD238 Electrical characteristics
Doc ID 15786 Rev 1 3/9
2 Electrical characteristics
(Tcase = 25 °C; unless otherwise specified)
Table 3. Electrical characteristics
Symbol Parameter Test conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit
ICBO
Collector cut-off current
(IE = 0)
VCB = -100 V
VCB = -100 V Tc= 150 °C --0.1
-2
mA
mA
IEBO
Emitter cut-off current
(IC = 0) VEB = -5 V --1mA
VCEO(sus)(1)
1. Pulsed duration = 300 μs, duty cycle = 1.5 %.
Collector-emitter
sustaining voltage
(IB = 0)
IC = -100 mA -80 - V
VCE(sat)(1) Collector-emitter
saturation voltage IC = -1 A __ IB = -0.1 A --0.6V
VBE(on)(1) Base-emitter on voltage IC = -1 A ___ VCE = -2 V --1.3V
hFE(1) DC current gain IC = -150 mA _ VCE = -2 V
IC = -1 A_ VCE = -2 V
40
25 -
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Electrical characteristics BD238
4/9 Doc ID 15786 Rev 1
2.1 Electrical characteristic (curves)
Figure 2. Safe operating area Figure 3. Derating curves
Figure 4. DC current gain (VCE = -2 V) Figure 5. DC current gain (VCE = -4 V)
Figure 6. Collector-emitter saturation
voltage
Figure 7. Base-emitter saturation
voltage
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BD238 Electrical characteristics
Doc ID 15786 Rev 1 5/9
2.2 Test circuit
Figure 11. Resistive load switching test circuit
Figure 8. Base-emitter on voltage Figure 9. Resistive load switching time
(on)
Figure 10. Resistive load switching time
(off)
1) Fast electronic switch
2) Non-inductive resistor
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Package mechanical data BD238
6/9 Doc ID 15786 Rev 1
3 Package mechanical data
In order to meet environmental requirements, ST offers these devices in different grades of
ECOPACK® packages, depending on their level of environmental compliance. ECOPACK®
specifications, grade definitions and product status are available at: www.st.com.
ECOPACK® is an ST trademark.
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BD238 Package mechanical data
Doc ID 15786 Rev 1 7/9
DIM. mm.
MIN. TYP MAX.
A2.4 2.9
B 0.64 0.88
B1 0.39 0.63
D 10.5 11.05
E7.4 7.8
e 2.04 2.29 2.54
e1 4.07 4.58 5.08
L15.3 16
P2.9 3.2
Q3.8
Q1 1 1.52
H2 2.15
I1.27
SOT-32 (TO-126) mechanical data
0016114E
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Revision History BD238
8/9 Doc ID 15786 Rev 1
4 Revision History
Table 4. Document revision history
Date Revision Changes
03-Jun-2009 1 Initial release
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BD238
Doc ID 15786 Rev 1 9/9
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