Production Dates and Case Markings for 2SC5200

[diyAudioFan]

The Audio section of the community was shuttered, so I am posting in the general area. 

I am looking for information and insight regarding the 2SC5200 (along with 2SCT5200).

It’s my understanding that the 2SC5200 was manufactured only in 2009, but possibly into 2010 and was made using the same fab / die process as Toshiba in order to meet JEITA requirements, but the datasheet shows that it was manufactured using the BiT-LA technology. ST had the 2SCT5200 (released in 2007, I believe) which used the BiT-LA technology.

• Could anyone confirm manufacturing dates for the 2SC5200, please.
• Could anyone offer insights as to why the parts with what seem to be identical characteristics and manufacturing processes (if that is accurate) had two different registrations / part numbers?

The latest 2SC5200 datasheet I found (Doc ID 16310 Rev 1) notes that the datasheet was preliminary, and that the part was already marked as obsolete when the data sheet was released. It looks like a cut and paste from the 2SCT5200. This may indicate a short production run and likely from only one manufacturing location. Would anyone be able to provide insights re: if the the datasheet later watermarked noting the part was obsolete, or was the part released as obsolete?

• Could anyone provide the case marking nomenclature for the 2SC5200, please. I am looking specifically for the date / lot code nomenclature and any other relevant formatting that could indicate date and location of production along with authenticity characteristics.. Neither the 2SC5200 nor the 2SCT5200 datasheets have sections for case markings.
• If anyone has a photo / clear case markings of either device, it would be appreciated, but I am more specifically interested in the 2SC5200. If it was a short run, the case markings may differ significantly from other products of the same era.

I was unsuccessful in uploading photos for examples, but that may be a new user restriction. I’m happy to post representative photos of devices I am reviewing if possible.

I’ve made a few (possibly incorrect) assumptions above. Thank you for any further insights re: the history of the two devices and how they can be differentiated / identified many years later.

Notes  -
First post here. Thank you in advance for any help, particularly regarding a legacy item.  I’ve chosen what I think to be the most appropriate forum / subforum for this topic, but please move as necessary.

[AScha.3]

Hi,

so you searching details of the marking on 30 y old NPN ?  why ?

from ds: https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/2SC5200_datasheet_en_20160107.pdf?did=20668&prodName=2SC5200

 

Start of commercial production 1994-09 , TOSHIBA Transistor Silicon NPN Triple Diffused Type, 2SC5200

So original Toshiba , not ST . And Triple Diffused was the gold standard for high power audio bipolar transistors, i still have some 100 somewhere .

 

 

btw

still can order from digikey, if you worry about real or fake if source is Ali or so…

 

https://www.digikey.de/de/products/detail/toshiba-semiconductor-and-storage/2SC5200-O(Q)/871387

 

+

about the PNP ?    2SA 1943  --- not same questions ?

 

[diyAudioFan]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I am aware that legitimate devices from reputable sources exist. I have quite a number of them.

I am researching because there are possibly devices in the marketplace that are not authentic. Any public information that allows buyers to mitigate risk is welcome. There are devices showing up in kits and/or in finished / completed modules that contain parts marked as ST Micro 2SC5200. It would be a good resource for the public to know either if they are likely to be authentic or if they are likely to not be authentic.

Sellers of inauthentic parts make it more challenging for hobbyists and professionals. So, the more information that is available from the manufacturer, the better informed the public might be. That would hopefully drive people to use validated sources for parts currently in production. Additionally for legacy / obsolete parts without known direct alternatives, it would provide confidence to hobbyists and/or professionals seeking replacement parts.

As one example - Below is a link to a product advertising / using ST Micro 2SC5200 in a kit. The case markings do not seem consistent with ST Micro parts from that era, but very little is officially published.

The market for illegitimate devices is vast. My only interest (as it relates to this thread) is in what I have requested; information re: ST Micro 2SC5200.

[diyAudioFan]

My apologies, my link did not post, and I could not edit my post after sending.  Link below.
 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807107001866.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

 

This is simply one example from one marketplace. It is not meant to call out Ali Express as a marketplace nor that specific seller.  A simple / quick internet search produced that link, and I chose the first in a line of many. Searches through Ebay etc. will produce similar findings in many cases.