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Transistors

Transistors can amplify current and be used as switches or amplifiers. There are two main types, NPN and PNP, with different symbols. Transistors have three leads that must be connected correctly. Heat sinks may be needed for power transistors to dissipate heat. Transistors can be tested using a multimeter or simple circuit to check for conduction and switching.

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764 views

Transistors

Transistors can amplify current and be used as switches or amplifiers. There are two main types, NPN and PNP, with different symbols. Transistors have three leads that must be connected correctly. Heat sinks may be needed for power transistors to dissipate heat. Transistors can be tested using a multimeter or simple circuit to check for conduction and switching.

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Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Function

Transistors amplify current, for example they can be used to amplify the small
output current from a logic chip so that it can operate a lamp, relay or other high
current device. In many circuits a resistor is used to convert the changing current
to a changing voltage, so the transistor is being used to amplify voltage.

A transistor may be used as a switch (either fully on with maximum current, or


fully off with no current) and as an amplifier (always partly on).

The amount of current amplification is called the current gain, symbol hFE.
For further information please see the Transistor Circuits page.

Types of transistor

There are two types of standard transistors, NPN and


PNP, with different circuit symbols. The letters refer
to the layers of semiconductor material used to make
the transistor. Most transistors used today are NPN
because this is the easiest type to make from silicon.
If you are new to electronics it is best to start by Transistor circuit symbols
learning how to use NPN transistors.

The leads are labelled base (B), collector (C) and emitter (E).
These terms refer to the internal operation of a transistor but they are not much help in
understanding how a transistor is used, so just treat them as labels!

A Darlington pair is two transistors connected together to give a very high current
gain.

In addition to standard (bipolar junction) transistors, there are field-effect


transistors which are usually referred to as FETs. They have different circuit
symbols and properties and they are not (yet) covered by this page.
Connecting

Transistors have three leads which


must be connected the correct way
round. Please take care with this
because a wrongly connected
transistor may be damaged
instantly when you switch on.

If you are lucky the orientation of


the transistor will be clear from the
PCB or stripboard layout diagram,
otherwise you will need to refer to a Transistor leads for some common case styles.
supplier's catalogue to identify the
leads.

The drawings on the right show the leads for some of the most common case
styles.

Please note that transistor lead diagrams show the view from below with the
leads towards you. This is the opposite of IC (chip) pin diagrams which show the
view from above.

Please see below for a table showing the case styles of some common
transistors.

Crocodile clip
Photograph © Rapid Electronics.

Soldering

Transistors can be damaged by heat when soldering so if you are not an expert it
is wise to use a heat sink clipped to the lead between the joint and the transistor
body. A standard crocodile clip can be used as a heat sink.

Do not confuse this temporary heat sink with the permanent heat sink (described below) which
may be required for a power transistor to prevent it overheating during operation.
Heat sinks

Waste heat is produced in transistors due to the Heat sink


current flowing through them. Heat sinks are needed
Photograph © Rapid Electronics
for power transistors because they pass large
currents. If you find that a transistor is becoming too hot to touch it certainly
needs a heat sink! The heat sink helps to dissipate (remove) the heat by
transferring it to the surrounding air.

For further information please see the Heat sinks page.

Testing an NPN transistor

Testing a transistor

Transistors can be damaged by heat when soldering or by misuse in a circuit. If


you suspect that a transistor may be damaged there are two easy ways to test it:

1. Testing with a multimeter

Use a multimeter or a simple tester (battery, resistor and LED) to check each pair
of leads for conduction. Set a digital multimeter to diode test and an analogue
multimeter to a low resistance range.

Test each pair of leads both ways (six tests in total):

• The base-emitter (BE) junction should behave like a diode and conduct
one way only.
• The base-collector (BC) junction should behave like a diode and conduct
one way only.
• The collector-emitter (CE) should not conduct either way.
The diagram shows how the junctions behave in
an NPN transistor. The diodes are reversed in a
PNP transistor but the same test procedure can
be used.

2. Testing in a simple switching circuit

Connect the transistor into the circuit shown on


the right which uses the transistor as a switch. A simple switching circuit
The supply voltage is not critical, anything to test an NPN transistor
between 5 and 12V is suitable. This circuit can be
quickly built on breadboard for example. Take care to include the 10k resistor in
the base connection or you will destroy the transistor as you test it!

If the transistor is OK the LED should light when the switch is pressed and not
light when the switch is released.

To test a PNP transistor use the same circuit but reverse the LED and the supply
voltage.

Some multimeters have a 'transistor test' function which provides a known base
current and measures the collector current so as to display the transistor's DC
current gain hFE.

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