SMD code search: identify a part by its marking
5 parts in SOT-23 are printed 2BR. 3 printed with a similar-looking code.
5 parts in SOT-23 are printed 2BR
Not sure which one you have?
Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 6 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.
FMBTRC102SSSOT-23Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in), 3 pins, Formosa MicrosemiDigital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)3 pinsFormosa Microsemi
- What it is
- Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)
- Maker
- Formosa Microsemi
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Source
- Manufacturer datasheet
Is it dead?
Ohms range, part lifted. The datasheet gives the built-in resistors: R1 in series with the base, R2 from base to emitter.
Working, it reads
Base to emitter reads about R1 plus R2 either way round, about 20 kΩ on a 10 k and 10 k part, give or take their wide tolerance. Collector to emitter reads open. A part with no R2 reads a junction behind R1 one way instead.
Dead, it reads
- Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 Ω with a continuous beep: shorted.
- From the base, open or far above R1 plus R2: R1 has failed. Static damage shows here most often.
- Base to emitter near 0 Ω: failed short.
- 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:
- The readings depend on the resistor values, so an identical part elsewhere on the board is the surest reference. Measure it the same way.
- Watch for:
- On the diode range a good part with 10 kΩ resistors reads open on every pair, so a good part looks dead there. Use the ohms range.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
2SK0374-RSOT-233 pins, PanasonicNot recorded3 pinsPanasonic
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Panasonic
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- FET n-type: AF, Sw, 55V, 30mA, 200mW, Idss=5..12mA, Up<5V
- Source
- Published code list
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
- 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.
2SK374-RSOT-233 pins, PanasonicNot recorded3 pinsPanasonic
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Panasonic
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- FET n-type: AF, Sw, 55V, 30mA, 200mW, Idss=5..12mA, Up<5V
- Source
- Published code list
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
- 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.
BC849BRSOT-233 pins, IntermetallNot recorded3 pinsIntermetall
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Intermetall
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- equivalent BC549B
- Source
- Published code list
Is it dead?
Diode range and ohms range, part lifted.
Working, it reads
Depends on what it is. The datasheet, or an identical part, says.
Dead, it reads
- Between two pins, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
- Open between every pair of pins: failed open, or a part that reads open when working.
- 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.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
MMBTRC102SSSOT-23Digital transistor (resistors built in), 3 pins, Dongguan Pingjingsemi TechnologyDigital transistor (resistors built in)3 pinsDongguan Pingjingsemi Technology
- What it is
- Digital transistor (resistors built in)
- Maker
- Dongguan Pingjingsemi Technology
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- SMD Digital NPN Transistors
- Source
- Published code list
Is it dead?
Ohms range, part lifted. The datasheet gives the built-in resistors: R1 in series with the base, R2 from base to emitter.
Working, it reads
Base to emitter reads about R1 plus R2 either way round, about 20 kΩ on a 10 k and 10 k part, give or take their wide tolerance. Collector to emitter reads open. A part with no R2 reads a junction behind R1 one way instead.
Dead, it reads
- Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 Ω with a continuous beep: shorted.
- From the base, open or far above R1 plus R2: R1 has failed. Static damage shows here most often.
- Base to emitter near 0 Ω: failed short.
- 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:
- The readings depend on the resistor values, so an identical part elsewhere on the board is the surest reference. Measure it the same way.
- Watch for:
- On the diode range a good part with 10 kΩ resistors reads open on every pair, so a good part looks dead there. Use the ohms range.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
1 more part has no package on record. Nothing rules it out, so it stays.
S-13R1B29-A4T2U34 pins, ABLICNot recorded4 pinsABLIC
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- ABLIC
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- 4
- Details
- equivalent [2.9V LDO]
- Source
- Published code list
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.
3 more parts are printed with a code easy to misread as 2BR: 1 in SOT-23, 2 with no package on record
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.
XC6202PE32MRprinted 28RSOT-23LDO regulator, 3 pins, TorexLDO regulator3 pinsTorex
Printed 28R on the part. Easy to misread as 2BR. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- LDO regulator
- Maker
- Torex
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- VR-IC: LDO, 14.3V±2%, 150mA
- Source
- Published code list
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.
2 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
S-1335D25-A4T2U3printed 28RLDO regulator, ABLICLDO regulatorNot recordedABLIC
Printed 28R on the part. Easy to misread as 2BR. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- LDO regulator
- Maker
- ABLIC
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- 5.5 V INPUT, 150 mA VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH SOFT-START FUNCTION
- Source
- Manufacturer 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.
TK11328CMprinted 28RTokNot recordedNot recordedTok
Printed 28R on the part. Easy to misread as 2BR. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Tok
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- VR-IC: LDO, -CE, 2,8V±5%, 170mA
- Source
- Published code list
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.
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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 on WhatSMD (What SMD) shows the parts we hold under that code and under codes easily misread as it, with only the columns that tell them apart.
- 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.
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