QA

How To Read Transistor Codes

The typical format for the transistor is a digit, letter and serial number. The first digit is the number of leads minus one. An ordinary bipolar transistor has three leads, so the first digit for it will be 2. The letter N is for semiconductors, so this will be the letter written on a transistor using this system.

How transistor is coded?

Transistor codes The first letter B is for silicon, A is for germanium (rarely used now). The second letter indicates the type; for example C means low power audio frequency; D means high power audio frequency; F means low power high frequency. The rest of the code identifies the particular transistor.

How do you read a transistor tester?

Hook the positive lead from the multimeter to the to the EMITTER (E) of the transistor. Hook the negative meter lead to the BASE (B) of the transistor. For an good NPN transistor, you should see “OL” (Over Limit). If you are testing PNP transistor, the meter should show a voltage drop between 0.45V and 0.9V.

What number transistor is a PNP?

Part numbers The 2N3904 (NPN) and 2N3906 (PNP) are complementary transistor pairs. These transistors are available in package styles TO-92, SOT23, SOT223 with different prefixes.

How do you identify a transistor?

Connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the Base (B) of the transistor and connect the negative lead to the Emitter (E) of the transistor. If it is an NPN transistor then meter should show a voltage drop between 0.45V and 0.9V. If it is a PNP transistor, then it should display see “OL” (Over Limit).

How can you tell the difference between a PNP and NPN transistor?

NPN and PNP transistors have very similar schematic symbols. The only difference is the direction of the arrow on the emitter. In a NPN (on the left) it points outward, for a PNP (on the right) it points inward.

How do you know if a transistor is open?

Connect the base terminal of the transistor to the terminal marked positive (usually coloured red) on the multimeter. Connect the terminal marked negative or common (usually coloured black) to the collector and measure the resistance. It should read open circuit (there should be a deflection for a PNP transistor).

How can you confirm a transistor as defective?

Connect the positive probe of the DMM to the base or the “P” or the base of the above figure for the NPN type. Connect the negative probe to the “N” or the emitter. A good transistor will read a voltage around 0.7V. A bad transistor will read otherwise.

What is BC547 transistor?

BC547 is a Bipolar Junction Transistor, abbreviated as BJT. It is an NPN transistor. It has three terminals named as: Emitter. Collector.

What is transistor Datasheet?

To select a transistor for a particular application, the Transistor Datasheet provided by device manufacturers must be consulted. Most data sheets start off with the device type number at the top of the page, a descriptive title, and a list of major applications for the device.

What do transistor specs mean?

This transistor specification is the maximum voltage that can be placed from the collector to the emitter. IC: The collector current specification of the transistor is normally defined in milliamps, but high power transistors may be quoted in amps. The important parameter is the maximum level of collector current.

What is current gain of a transistor?

The current gain for the common-base configuration is defined as the change in collector current divided by the change in emitter current when the base-to-collector voltage is constant. Typical common-base current gain in a well-designed bipolar transistor is very close to unity.

When would you use a PNP transistor?

PNP transistors are used to source current, i.e. current flows out of the collector. PNP transistors are used as switches. These are used in the amplifying circuits. PNP transistors are used when we need to turnoff something by push a button.

What is a transistor symbol?

Table of transistor symbols Name Description PNP Bipolar Transistor Allows current flow when low potential at base (middle) Darlington Transistor Made from 2 bipolar transistors. Has total gain of the product of each gain. JFET-N Transistor N-channel field effect transistor JFET-P Transistor P-channel field effect transistor.

Is PNP transistor A bipolar transistor?

A PNP transistor is a bipolar junction transistor constructed by sandwiching an N-type semiconductor between two P-type semiconductors. A PNP transistor has three terminals – a Collector (C), Emitter (E) and Base (B). The PNP transistor behaves like two PN junctions diodes connected back to back.

What are the 3 leads of a transistor?

There are typically three electrical leads in a transistor, called the emitter, the collector, and the base—or, in modern switching applications, the source, the drain, and the gate.

Which leg is which on a transistor?

Transistors typically have one round side and one flat side. If the flat side is facing you, the Emitter leg is on the left, the Base leg is in the middle, and the Collector leg is on the right (note: some specialty transistors have different pin configurations than the TO-92 package described above).

Why does a transistor have 3 legs?

The transistor has three legs, these are the base, collector and the emitter. The base of the transistor is used to switch current through the collector and emitter. When the base is between 0V and 0.7V it is switched off and above 0.7V it is switched on allowing the current to flow from the collector to the emitter.

How do you use a transistor?

One of the most common uses for transistors in an electronic circuit is as simple switches. In short, a transistor conducts current across the collector-emitter path only when a voltage is applied to the base. When no base voltage is present, the switch is off. When base voltage is present, the switch is on.

How many points are needed to make the load line of the transistor?

To obtain the load line, the two end points of the straight line are to be determined.

How do you know if a transistor is open shorted or leakage?

Using an ohmmeter, measure from the base of the transistor to the emitter. Then reverse the ohmmeter leads and measure from the base to the emitter again. If the resistance is low in both directions, the transistor is shorted. Also, you can measure from the base to the collector in the same way.