WhatSMD: identify an unknown SMD component

7 parts are printed BM

Not sure which one you have?

Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 7 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.

SMAJ15ASMATVS diode, 2 pins, VishayTVS diode2 pinsVishay
What it is
TVS diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
SMA
Pins
2
Details
400 W TVS diode, unidirectional
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 SMAJ15A, opens in a new tab
6 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
- BGA427RF amplifier (MMIC), InfineonRF amplifier (MMIC)Not recordedInfineon
  What it is
  RF amplifier (MMIC)
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Voltage, board powered, on the output pin that the bias resistor or choke feeds.
  Working, it reads
  The output pin sits at the device voltage the datasheet gives, a few volts, below the supply.
  Dead, it reads
  Output pin at 0 V, or near 0 Ω to ground with the power off: shorted inside.
  Output pin at the full supply voltage: open inside, no current flowing.
  On the board:
  Measured on the board with power on; the bias network is part of the reading.
  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 figures depend on the part and its bias resistor. The datasheet gives both.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BGA427, opens in a new tab
- BSS63MOSFET, InfineonMOSFETNot recordedInfineon
  What it is
  MOSFET
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  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
  One way between drain and source reads about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode, and the other way open. The gate reads open to both other pins.
  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.
  No body diode at all: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, which reads as that resistor and is not a fault. 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 BSS63, opens in a new tab
- MSMP15ATVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  150 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 MSMP15A, opens in a new tab
- SMBG15ATVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  600 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 SMBG15A, opens in a new tab
- SMP15ATVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  400 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 SMP15A, opens in a new tab
- TLV70725DQNLDO regulator, 4 pins, Texas InstrumentsLDO regulator4 pinsTexas Instruments
  What it is
  LDO regulator
  Maker
  Texas Instruments
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  4
  Details
  200-mA, Low-IQ, Low-Noise, Low-Dropout Regulator for Portable Devices
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Voltage, board powered, black probe on ground. Then ohms with the power off.
  Working, it reads
  Input pin at the supply, output pin at its rated voltage, and the enable pin high if it has one.
  Dead, it reads
  Output equal to the input: the pass element has shorted. Everything after it may have taken the full input.
  Input present, enable high, no output: failed open, or holding itself off into a shorted load. Power off and measure output to ground.
  Power off, input to output near 0 Ω: shorted.
  On the board:
  An output at 0 V is often a shorted load with the regulator in current limit. Lift the output pin: if the short stays on the board, the regulator may be fine.
  Compare:
  The same regulator on another rail or another board shows the right voltages and the right resistances.
  Watch for:
  Makers put input, output and ground on different pins in the same package, so take them from this part's datasheet. Diode or ohms readings between its pins say little; check it powered.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor TLV70725DQN, opens in a new tab

1 more part is printed with a code easy to misread as BM

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.

TLV741285PDQNprinted 8MLDO regulator, 4 pins, Texas InstrumentsLDO regulator4 pinsTexas Instruments
Printed 8M on the part. Easy to misread as BM. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
LDO regulator
Maker
Texas Instruments
Package
Not recorded
Pins
4
Details
150-mA, Low-Dropout Regulator With Foldback Current Limit
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Voltage, board powered, black probe on ground. Then ohms with the power off.
Working, it reads
Input pin at the supply, output pin at its rated voltage, and the enable pin high if it has one.
Dead, it reads
Output equal to the input: the pass element has shorted. Everything after it may have taken the full input.
Input present, enable high, no output: failed open, or holding itself off into a shorted load. Power off and measure output to ground.
Power off, input to output near 0 Ω: shorted.
On the board:
An output at 0 V is often a shorted load with the regulator in current limit. Lift the output pin: if the short stays on the board, the regulator may be fine.
Compare:
The same regulator on another rail or another board shows the right voltages and the right resistances.
Watch for:
Makers put input, output and ground on different pins in the same package, so take them from this part's datasheet. Diode or ohms readings between its pins say little; check it powered.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor TLV741285PDQN, opens in a new tab

10 more parts have codes that begin with BM

Codes that begin with BM

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

P4SMA24Aprinted BMJSMATVS diode, 2 pins, Taiwan SemiconductorTVS diode2 pinsTaiwan Semiconductor
Printed BMJ. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
TVS diode
Maker
Taiwan Semiconductor
Package
SMA
Pins
2
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 P4SMA24A, opens in a new tab
TPSMA24Aprinted BMPSMATVS diode, 2 pins, VishayTVS diode2 pinsVishay
Printed BMP. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
TVS diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
SMA
Pins
2
Details
400 W TVS diode, unidirectional
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 TPSMA24A, opens in a new tab
8 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
- CJBM3020printed BM3020Dual N-channel MOSFET, JSCJDual N-channel MOSFETNot recordedJSCJ
  Printed BM3020. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  Dual N-channel MOSFET
  Maker
  JSCJ
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  MOSFET, dual N-channel, 30 V, 20 A
  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. Test each MOSFET on its own pins, as the datasheet's pinout gives them.
  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 CJBM3020, opens in a new tab
- SN74AHCT1G125DRLprinted BMSLogic gate, 5 pins, Texas InstrumentsLogic gate5 pinsTexas Instruments
  Printed BMS. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  Logic gate
  Maker
  Texas Instruments
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  5
  Details
  Single Bus Buffer Gate With 3-State Output
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.
  Working, it reads
  Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.
  Dead, it reads
  A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
  Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
  On the board:
  A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
  Compare:
  The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
  Watch for:
  Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor SN74AHCT1G125DRL, opens in a new tab
- TA6F24Aprinted BMPTVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BMP. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  600 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 TA6F24A, opens in a new tab
- TA6F24CAprinted BMPTVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BMP. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  600 W TVS diode, bidirectional
  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 TA6F24CA, opens in a new tab
- TA6L24Aprinted BMLTVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BML. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  600 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 TA6L24A, opens in a new tab
- TA6L24CAprinted BMLTVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BML. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  600 W TVS diode, bidirectional
  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 TA6L24CA, opens in a new tab
- TPSMA6L15Aprinted BMATVS diode, DiotecTVS diodeNot recordedDiotec
  Printed BMA. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Diotec
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  SMD Transient Voltage Suppressor Diodes
  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 TPSMA6L15A, opens in a new tab
- TPSMP24Aprinted BMPTVS diode, VishayTVS diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BMP. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
  What it is
  TVS diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  400 W TVS diode, unidirectional
  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 TPSMP24A, opens in a new tab

One code, several parts

Marking codes are not unique. In the standard code book, 6H on a SOT-23 is an NPN transistor, a varicap, an N-channel JFET, two digital transistors, a 3.6 V voltage detector: six parts from five makers. So a search shows the parts we hold under that code and under codes easily misread as it, with only the columns that tell them apart.

6Hon a SOT-23, in the code book

NPN transistor
Varicap
N-channel JFET
Digital transistor ×2
3.6 V voltage detector

When more than one is left

Tap Help me choose. Up to 4 quick answers: whether the part has failed, then what separates the parts left. Those get ranked with the reasoning and a test that settles it. That uses one identification: 2 a month are free without an account, and 3 with a free account.

When you cannot read it

Tap the camera in the field. We read the characters, keep the ones we are unsure of, and search every reading. A photo too soft to read is turned back on your phone first; if it is the only one you can get, you can still send it.

What’s printed on it?

7 parts are printed BM

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Printed with a code easy to misread

Is it dead?

Codes that begin with BM

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

One code, several parts

When more than one is left

When you cannot read it