BC256 Bipolar Transistor

• Type: PNP
• Collector-Emitter Voltage, max: -65 V
• Collector-Base Voltage, max: -80 V
• Emitter-Base Voltage, max: -5 V
• Collector Current − Continuous, max: -0.1 A
• Collector Dissipation: 0.35 W
• DC Current Gain (h_fe): 120 to 500
• Transition Frequency, min: 280 MHz
• Noise Figure, max: 2 dB
• Operating and Storage Junction Temperature Range: -55 to +150 °C
• Package: TO-92

The BC256 is manufactured in a plastic TO-92 case. When looking at the flat side with the leads pointed downward, the three leads emerging from the transistor are, from left to right, the collector, base, and emitter leads.
Here is an image showing the pin diagram of this transistor.The BC256 transistor can have a current gain of 120 to 500. The gain of the BC256A will be in the range from 120 to 220, for the BC256B it will be in the range from 180 to 460.The BC856 (SOT-23) and BC856W (SOT-323) is the SMD version of the BC256 transistor. These transistors are of the same type, have similar parameters and are designed for surface mounting.You can replace the BC256 with the BC556.