BC 547/548 NPN Transistor Difference

[helgrind]

Hi,

Just a quick question really:

I have been looking at some simple RS232 PIC and AVR programming schematics.
Some use BC547s and some use BC548s.
I have looked up the datasheet and the only difference appears to be the various voltages between pins - the Hfe and various peak currents are identical.
As these are used in circuits with voltages below their maximums, does this mean I can interchange them, or is there something else going on?

Thanks, Laurence

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You can almost always interchange them - and certainly a 7 can always replace an 8.

 

[Hero999]

Different voltage ratings , see the datasheet which can be found using your favourite search engine.

 

[helgrind]

I have looked up the datasheet and the only difference appears to be the various voltages between pins - the Hfe and various peak currents are identical.

Thanks but I already did

 

[helgrind]

And thanks for the help Nigel!