SMD code search: identify a part by its marking
4 parts in SOT-323 are printed K25. 1 printed with a similar-looking code.
4 parts in SOT-323 are printed K25
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.
DTC124GU3SOT-323Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in), ROHMDigital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)ROHM
- What it is
- Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)
- Maker
- ROHM
- Package
- SOT-323
- 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.
DTC124GUASOT-323Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in), ROHMDigital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)ROHM
- What it is
- Digital transistor (NPN, resistors built in)
- Maker
- ROHM
- Package
- SOT-323
- 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.
2SK853A-25SOT-323NEC ElectronicsNot recordedNEC Electronics
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- NEC Electronics
- Package
- SOT-323
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- FET n-type: GP, 50V, 10mA, 150mW, Idss=2..5mA, Up<4.5V
- 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.
DTA124GUASOT-323Digital transistor (PNP, resistors built in), ROHMDigital transistor (PNP, resistors built in)ROHM
- What it is
- Digital transistor (PNP, resistors built in)
- Maker
- ROHM
- Package
- SOT-323
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- Si-pnp-Digi: Sw, 50V, 100mA, 200mW, B>56, >250MHz, R2=22к
- 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.
2 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
LDK320M25RLDO regulator, STMicroelectronicsLDO regulatorSTMicroelectronics
- What it is
- LDO regulator
- Maker
- STMicroelectronics
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- 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.
KIC73D25MVoltage supervisor, KECVoltage supervisorKEC
- What it is
- Voltage supervisor
- Maker
- KEC
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- Voltage detector IC: 2.5V±1%, -Reset PPO, Rdt=200ms
- Source
- Published code list
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.
1 more part is printed with a code easy to misread as K25: none in SOT-323, 1 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.
1 part has no package on record. Nothing rules it out, so it stays.
XC6129C41C7R-Gprinted K2SVoltage supervisor, TorexVoltage supervisorTorex
Printed K2S on the part. Easy to misread as K25. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Voltage supervisor
- Maker
- Torex
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- Voltage detector IC: 4.1V±0.8%, -Reset PPO, Det. Delay
- Source
- Published code list
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.
4 more parts have codes that begin with K25: none in SOT-323, 4 with no package on record
Codes that begin with K25
For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.
4 parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
2SK2503printed K2503N-channel MOSFET, ROHMN-channel MOSFETROHM
Printed K2503. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- N-channel MOSFET
- Maker
- ROHM
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- 3
- 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
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
- 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.
2SK2504printed K2504N-channel MOSFET, ROHMN-channel MOSFETROHM
Printed K2504. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- N-channel MOSFET
- Maker
- ROHM
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- 3
- 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
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
- 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.
R1232D251Aprinted K25ANisshinbo Micro DevicesNot recordedNisshinbo Micro Devices
Printed K25A. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Nisshinbo Micro Devices
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- VR-IC: PWM step-down DC/DC converter, 2.5V±2.0%, 1MHz
- Source
- Published code list
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.
R1232D251Bprinted K25BNisshinbo Micro DevicesNot recordedNisshinbo Micro Devices
Printed K25B. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- Not recorded
- Maker
- Nisshinbo Micro Devices
- Package
- Not recorded
- Pins
- Not recorded
- Details
- VR-IC: PWM step-down DC/DC converter, 2.5V±2.0%, 2.25MHz
- Source
- Published code list
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.
Did you find your part?
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.
- 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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