Introduction
The BD236 is a medium-power PNP silicon transistor designed for both linear amplification and switching applications in electronic circuits. It belongs to the BD23x PNP family (BD234, BD236, BD238) and is often used in complementary pairs with NPN counterparts (like BD235). The BD236 is built to handle moderate currents and voltages, making it useful in general-purpose analog and switching circuits.

Packaged in a TO-126 / SOT-32 plastic package (JEDEC standard), BD236 offers a compact footprint with moderate thermal capability, suitable for mounting on small heatsinks or PCBs with thermal pads. It is especially valuable in push-pull amplifier circuits, where symmetry in PNP and NPN device performance is required.
BD236 PNP Transistor

In real-world use, BD236 is commonly used in audio power amplifier stages, driver circuits, and analog switching where the negative side or PNP side of current flow is needed. Its performance in gain, saturation, and switching allows it to complement its matched NPN parts for balanced circuit design.
Pinout of BD236

Key Features
- PNP polarity for negative-side or complementary configurations
- Stable gain over operating currents
- Low saturation voltage for efficient operation
- Package suited for moderate thermal conditions
- Designed for use in paired amplifier or switching circuits
- Reliable in both linear and switching roles
Specifications/Characteristics
- Collector-Base Breakdown Voltage, VCBO = –60 V
- Collector-Emitter Breakdown Voltage, VCEO = –60 V
- Collector-Emitter with base open (sustaining), VCE(sus) = –60 V
- Emitter-Base Breakdown Voltage, VEBO = –5 V
- Collector Current, Continuous IC = –2 A
- Collector Peak (Pulse) Current, ICM = –6 A
- Collector Power Dissipation, Ptot = 25 W (at TC = 25 °C)
- Maximum Junction Temperature, Tj = 150 °C
- Storage Temperature Range, Tstg = –65 to +150 °C
- Thermal Resistance, Junction-to-Case, θJC = 5 °C/W
- Collector Cut-Off Current, ICBO ≤ 100 µA (VCB = –60 V)
- Emitter Cut-Off Current, IEBO ≤ 1 mA (VEB = –5 V)
- DC Current Gain, hFE = 40 (IC = –150 mA, VCE = –2 V)
- DC Current Gain, hFE = 25 (IC = –1 A, VCE = –2 V)
- Collector-Emitter Saturation Voltage, VCE(sat) = –0.6 V (IC = –1 A, IB = –0.1 A)
- Base-Emitter On Voltage, VBE(on) = –1.3 V (IC = –1 A, VCE = –2 V)
- Transition Frequency, fT = 3 MHz (IC = –250 mA, VCE = –10 V)
Pin Configuration
| Pin# | Pin Name | Pin Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emitter | Output / current source terminal |
| 2 | Collector | Main current sink terminal |
| 3 | Base | Control / bias terminal |
Comparison Summary of BD234 vs BD236 vs BD238
- BD234 is the lowest-voltage PNP device, rated at –45 V for collector-emitter, making it suited for relatively low-voltage circuits and moderate power roles.
- BD236 steps up to –60 V, offering greater voltage headroom while retaining the same current and power ratings as BD234, making it more flexible in circuits with higher supply voltages.
- BD238 is the highest-voltage variant in the series, with –80 V (or in some specs –100 V) rating, offering strong tolerance in more demanding voltage environments.
- All three PNP transistors share the same continuous collector current of –2 A, peak current of –6 A, and power dissipation rating of 25 W. Their gain (hFE) and transition frequency ( 3 MHz) are also similar across variants, allowing designers to choose based on voltage needs while maintaining consistent behavior in current, gain, and switching.
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Key Applications of BD236 PNP Transistor
- Push-pull complementary amplifier circuits
- Audio amplifier driver stages
- Analog and switching circuits requiring PNP side devices
- High-side or negative side switching in power circuits
- General-purpose PNP transistor applications in medium-power systems
NPN Complimentary Transistor
- The complementary NPN transistor for BD236 is BD235.
Equivalent Transistors of BD236 PNP Transistor
Some possible equivalents or alternative PNP transistors include:
- BD234 (if lower voltage suffices)
- BD238 (if higher voltage tolerance needed)
- Other PNP transistors of similar voltage/current rating in the 2 A / 25 W class
- General-purpose PNP power transistors in plastic packages
(Pin configuration of some transistors mentioned here may different from BD236).
Datasheet of BD236 PNP Transistor
Click the following Button below to download the datasheet of BD236 Transistor :
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