MPS6517 General-Purpose PNP Transistor – Complete Technical & Accessory Summary
(Extracted from Philips Semiconductors “Concise Catalogue 1996”, Small-Signal Transistors & Diodes section)

1. Device Overview• Type: General-purpose low-frequency bipolar PNP transistor• Package: TO-92 (leaded plastic, 3-pin)• Philips part number: MPS6517• Technology: planar epitaxial, medium power• Market status: legacy (discontinued by NXP, available through aftermarket)
2. Absolute Maximum Ratings (Tamb = 25 °C unless stated)Parameter | Symbol | Value | Unit---|---|---|---Collector-Base Voltage | VCBO | –60 | VCollector-Emitter Voltage | VCEO | –60 | VEmitter-Base Voltage | VEBO | –5 | VContinuous Collector Current | IC | –100 | mATotal Device Dissipation | Ptot | 625 | mW (Note 1)Junction Temperature | Tj | +150 | °CStorage Temperature | Tstg | –65 … +150 | °CNote 1: derate 5 mW/°C above 25 °C ambient
3. Electrical Characteristics (Tamb = 25 °C)Parameter | Test Conditions | Min | Typ | Max | Unit---|---|---|---|---|---DC Current Gain hFE | VCE = –5 V, IC = –2 mA | 100 | – | 300 | –Collector-Emitter Saturation Voltage | IC = –10 mA, IB = –1 mA | – | – | –0.25 | VBase-Emitter On Voltage | VCE = –5 V, IC = –2 mA | – | – | –0.9 | VTransition Frequency | VCE = –5 V, IC = –10 mA | 100 | – | – | MHzCollector Cut-off Current | VCB = –50 V, IE = 0 | – | – | –100 | nA
4. Package & Mechanical Data – TO-92• Outline: JEDEC TO-92 (bulk or ammo-tape)• Lead finish: tin-plated copper alloy• Lead spacing: 2.54 mm (0.1″)• Seating plane height: 4.7 mm max.• Device mass: ≈0.19 g• Moisture sensitivity: MSL 1 (unlimited floor life)
5. Standard Packing QuantitiesBulk bag: 1 000 pcs / bagAmmo-box: 2 000 pcs / box (52 mm pitch, 330 mm reel)Tape-and-reel: 2 000 pcs / 13″ reel (on request)
6. Thermal Characteristics• Junction-to-ambient (still air): RthJA ≈ 200 °C/W (on standard PCB)• Junction-to-lead: RthJL ≈ 83 °C/WRecommended land: 10 mm × 10 mm copper pad for collector lead
7. Typical Applications• Low-speed switching: relay drivers, lamp drivers, solenoid drivers• Small-signal amplifiers: audio pre-amps, sensor buffers• Complementary output stages with NPN types MPS6515 / MPS6519• Darlington pair driver (when coupled with another PNP)
8. Cross-Reference / ReplacementsDirect drop-in: 2N3906, BC557, BC327 (check pin-out and gain group)Higher voltage: MPSA56 (80 V)Higher gain: BC557C (hFE 420-800)
9. Reliability & Qualification• JEDEC JESD-22 compliant test flow• ESD HBM: 2 kV (class 2)• Solderability: ANSI/J-STD-002, 245 °C, 5 s• Lead-free soldering profile: 260 °C peak (J-STD-020)
10. Design-In Notes• Observe maximum power derating above 25 °C• Add 100 Ω base resistor for 5 V TTL drive (IC ≈20 mA)• For inductive loads use fly-back diode (VCC –> C –> load –> E –> GND)• Thermal run-away protection: add 1 kΩ emitter ballast when paralleling
11. Documentation & SupportOriginal Philips data sheet: “Concise Catalogue 1996 – Small-Signal Transistors & Diodes”NXP archive link (PDF): on request through NXP customer supportSPICE model: generic TO-92 PNP model (adapt hFE = 200, Tf = 350 ns)
12. Ordering SummaryBulk: MPS6517-BULK (1 000 pcs)Ammo: MPS6517-AMMO (2 000 pcs)RoHS status: current stock is lead-free (Sn finish) – verify with supplier