Bottom line
AEC-Q100 covers integrated circuits, AEC-Q101 covers discrete semiconductors. The grade numbers (0–3) are temperature ranges, not quality levels; the real difference between an industrial and an automotive part is the test set plus change control.
Which standard applies to your part
| Device type | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated circuit | AEC-Q100 | MCU, op-amp, gate driver IC, LDO |
| Discrete semiconductor | AEC-Q101 | MOSFET, IGBT, diode, TVS, bipolar transistor |
| Passive component | AEC-Q200 | Resistors, capacitors, inductors |
What the grade numbers mean
| Grade | Temperature range | Typical location |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 0 | −40 °C to +150 °C | Engine bay, transmission |
| Grade 1 | −40 °C to +125 °C | Body, cabin, most ECUs |
| Grade 2 | −40 °C to +105 °C | Protected interior locations |
| Grade 3 | −40 °C to +85 °C | Rarely used in vehicles |
Grade is a temperature-range statement. It says nothing about how good the part is — a Grade 1 part can outperform a Grade 0 part in every parameter that matters to you.
What changes beyond the test
- Qualification test set: temperature cycling, high-temperature operating life, humidity bias and others, with defined sample sizes.
- Change control (PCN): the manufacturer commits to notify design or process changes — this is what protects a production line years later.
- Traceability and long-term supply commitments tied to automotive programmes.
- Zero-defect and PPAP support expectations from OEMs and tier-1 suppliers.
How to verify a claim
- Read the datasheet's ordering information and features section — qualified parts state the standard and grade explicitly.
- Check that the exact orderable part number is the qualified one; a base part with an automotive suffix is often a different order code.
- Ask the manufacturer for the qualification summary when the project requires it.
Related products
| Part number | Brand | Package | Qualification | Operating temperature | Key parameters | Docs | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSC026N02KSGAUMA1 In stock | Infineon | SC026 | AEC-Q101 qualified | -55 °C ~ +150 °C | channel: N · vds: 25 V · id: 100 A | Datasheet ↗ | |
| INA199B2QDCKRQ1 In stock | TI | SOT-SC70-6 | AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified | -40 °C ~ +125 °C | supply: 2.7 ~ 26 V · channel: 1 · bw: 105 kHz | Datasheet ↗ | |
| LM2901MX/NOPB In stock | TI | SOIC-14 | AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified | -40 °C ~ +125 °C | channel: 4 · bw: 1.3 MHz · vos: ±2 mV | Datasheet ↗ | |
| MKE04Z8VWJ4 In stock | NXP | SOIC-20 | AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified | -40 °C ~ +125 °C | core: Arm Cortex-M0+ · freq: 48 MHz · flash: 8 KB | Datasheet ↗ | |
| 2N7002-TP In stock | MCC | SOT-23 | Qualification to be verified | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Datasheet ↗ | |
| 2N7002DW-TP In stock | MCC | SOT-363 | Qualification to be verified | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Datasheet ↗ |
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FAQ
Does AEC-Q100 Grade 1 mean it works at 150 °C?
No. Grade 1 covers up to 125 °C ambient. Anything hotter needs a Grade 0 part, or a design change that moves the ECU away from the heat source.
Is an AEC-Q101 MOSFET automatically suitable for safety functions?
No. AEC-Q101 is a reliability qualification, not a functional-safety rating. Safety mechanisms come from ISO 26262 analysis at system level.
Did this answer your question?
Source：AEC document set published by the Automotive Electronics Council; manufacturer qualification statements.
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