SMD marking

SFS

Marking codes are not standardised, and the same code is reused by unrelated makers for unrelated parts. Below is every part in our tables printed with it, and any printed with a code that is easy to misread as it, from the manufacturers' own marking tables.

The last letter, s, is lower case, which on NXP and Philips parts is a date or factory code, so it was set aside and SF was searched.

4 parts are printed SFs

Not sure which one you have?

Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 4 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.

B0540WSOD-123Schottky diode, 2 pins, JSCJSchottky diodeSOD-1232 pinsJSCJ
What it is
Schottky diode
Maker
JSCJ
Package
SOD-123
Pins
2
Details
Schottky diode, 40 V, 0.5 A
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.
Working, it reads
About 0.15 to 0.45 V anode to cathode, roughly half a silicon diode, and open the other way.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
Open both ways: failed open.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A large Schottky can read about 0.1 V forward and beep like a short, and leaks a little the wrong way when good, more when warm. It is shorted only if it reads the same both ways. Measure it cold, beside an identical cold one.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor B0540W, opens in a new tab
B0540WSSOD-323Schottky diode, 2 pins, JSCJSchottky diodeSOD-3232 pinsJSCJ
What it is
Schottky diode
Maker
JSCJ
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Details
Schottky diode, 40 V, 0.5 A
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.
Working, it reads
About 0.15 to 0.45 V anode to cathode, roughly half a silicon diode, and open the other way.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
Open both ways: failed open.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A large Schottky can read about 0.1 V forward and beep like a short, and leaks a little the wrong way when good, more when warm. It is shorted only if it reads the same both ways. Measure it cold, beside an identical cold one.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor B0540WS, opens in a new tab
BZX84J-B20SOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, NexperiaZener diodeSOD-3232 pinsNexperia
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Nexperia
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Details
20 V ±2% voltage regulator (Zener) diode
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZX84J-B20, opens in a new tab
1 more part has no package on record
- BSS169N-channel MOSFET, InfineonN-channel MOSFETNot recordedNot recordedInfineon
  What it is
  N-channel MOSFET
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  100 V N-Channel depletion-mode MOSFET
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, part lifted. Test drain to source first, then short gate to source and test again.
  Working, it reads
  Red probe on the source, black on the drain: about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode. Open the other way. The gate reads open to both other pins, both ways.
  Dead, it reads
  Drain to source the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep, and still so after shorting gate to source: shorted. The classic failure.
  The gate reads low to source or drain: gate shorted. Often all three pins end up shorted together.
  No body diode at all: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, so gate to source reads that resistor, which is not a fault. A drain short can be the load. Lift a leg to be sure.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  The diode range can charge the gate enough to turn the part on, and then drain to source reads near 0 both ways on a good part. Short gate to source and test again before you condemn it.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BSS169, opens in a new tab

7 more parts are printed with a code easy to misread as SFs

Printed with a code easy to misread

One character differs, and it is one that is easy to confuse under a lamp. The odd one out is marked on each.

BC856BSHprinted 5FtSOT-363PNP transistor, 6 pins, Taiwan SemiconductorPNP transistorSOT-3636 pinsTaiwan Semiconductor
Printed 5Ft on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
PNP transistor
Maker
Taiwan Semiconductor
Package
SOT-363
Pins
6
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
Working, it reads
Black probe on the base reads about 0.6 to 0.75 V to the emitter and to the collector, and open the other way round. Collector to emitter reads open both ways.
Dead, it reads
Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted. The commonest failure.
The base the same both ways to another pin, near 0 V or a middling value: a shorted junction.
Only one junction reads, or none: a junction has failed open. It then looks like a diode.
A reading the wrong way round, where it should be open: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A pair of diodes with a common pin reads just like a transistor, and some transistors carry a built-in diode or resistor. The datasheet says which.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BC856BSH, opens in a new tab
BC856Sprinted 5FSOT-363Transistor, 6 pins, NexperiaTransistorSOT-3636 pinsNexperia
Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Transistor
Maker
Nexperia
Package
SOT-363
Pins
6
Details
SMD General Purpose PNP Transistors
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
Working, it reads
From the base, one probe colour reads about 0.6 to 0.75 V to the emitter and to the collector, and open the other way round. Collector to emitter reads open both ways.
Dead, it reads
Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted. The commonest failure.
The base the same both ways to another pin, near 0 V or a middling value: a shorted junction.
Only one junction reads, or none: a junction has failed open. It then looks like a diode.
A reading the wrong way round, where it should be open: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A pair of diodes with a common pin reads just like a transistor, and some transistors carry a built-in diode or resistor. The datasheet says which.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BC856S, opens in a new tab
BZD27B39Pprinted 5FSOD-123FZener diode, 2 pins, VishayZener diodeSOD-123F2 pinsVishay
Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
SOD-123F
Pins
2
Details
39 V Zener diode
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZD27B39P, opens in a new tab
BZT52C15printed 5FSOD-123FZener diode, 2 pins, DiotecZener diodeSOD-123F2 pinsDiotec
Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Diotec
Package
SOD-123F
Pins
2
Details
SMD Planar Zener Diodes
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZT52C15, opens in a new tab
BZX384-A30printed 5FSOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, NexperiaZener diodeSOD-3232 pinsNexperia
Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Nexperia
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZX384-A30, opens in a new tab
2 more parts have no package on record
- BC808-25printed 5FTransistor, InfineonTransistorNot recordedNot recordedInfineon
  Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Transistor
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
  Working, it reads
  From the base, one probe colour reads about 0.6 to 0.75 V to the emitter and to the collector, and open the other way round. Collector to emitter reads open both ways.
  Dead, it reads
  Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted. The commonest failure.
  The base the same both ways to another pin, near 0 V or a middling value: a shorted junction.
  Only one junction reads, or none: a junction has failed open. It then looks like a diode.
  A reading the wrong way round, where it should be open: leaky.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A pair of diodes with a common pin reads just like a transistor, and some transistors carry a built-in diode or resistor. The datasheet says which.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BC808-25, opens in a new tab
- PESD15VV1BSFprinted 5FESD protection diode, 2 pins, NexperiaESD protection diodeNot recorded2 pinsNexperia
  Printed 5F on the part. Easy to misread as SFS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  ESD protection diode
  Maker
  Nexperia
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  2
  Details
  Very low capacitance high voltage bidirectional ESD protection diode
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.
  Working, it reads
  A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.
  Dead, it reads
  From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
  A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
  A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board, a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
  Compare:
  The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
  Watch for:
  A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor PESD15VV1BSF, opens in a new tab

3 more parts have codes that begin with SFs

Codes that begin with SFs

For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.

Zener diode, all Panjit. What differs:

PZA1AL10Bprinted SFHSOD-123F2 pinsSOD-123F2 pins
Printed SFH. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Panjit
Package
SOD-123F
Pins
2
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor PZA1AL10B, opens in a new tab
PZD22B9V1Cprinted SFHSOT-3233 pinsSOT-3233 pins
Printed SFH. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Panjit
Package
SOT-323
Pins
3
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor PZD22B9V1C, opens in a new tab
PZD22B9V1C-AUprinted SFHSOT-3233 pinsSOT-3233 pins
Printed SFH. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Panjit
Package
SOT-323
Pins
3
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor PZD22B9V1C-AU, opens in a new tab

Open this in the search to correct a character or try another package.

4 parts are printed SFs

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Printed with a code easy to misread

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Codes that begin with SFs

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?