Common questions

When does a transistor act as a switch?

When does a transistor act as a switch?

The transistor operates as a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) solid state switch. When a zero input signal applied to the base of the transistor, it acts as an open switch.

Can a PNP transistor be used as a switch?

A motor always consumes the maximum current when stalled. Thus the load voltage is 12VDC and the maximum load current is 1.25 A Vload = 12V Iload (max) = 1.25A In general, we can use both PNP or NPN transistors as switches. However, PNP transistors can only control the same voltage as is supplied to the Arduino chip.

How are transistors used in digital and analog domains?

You can find Transistors in both digital and analog domains as they are extensively used for different application usage like switching circuits, amplifier circuits, power supply circuits, digital logic circuits, voltage regulators, oscillator circuits and so on.

Can a Darlington transistor have high collector currents?

So Darlington Transistors with very high β values and high Collector currents are possible compared to a single transistor switch. For example, if the first input transistor has a current gain of 100 and the second switching transistor has a current gain of 50 then the total current gain will be 100 * 50 = 5000.

How does the base and emitter of a transistor work?

The base and emitter of transistor working as a controller that decides open and closed condition of switch. For closed the switch the battery is connected between base and emitter terminals. This source provides large amount of base current due to that collector current flows in the collector and emitter circuitry.

Why are transistor switches used in logic gates?

However, high power devices such as motors, solenoids or lamps, often require more power than that supplied by an ordinary logic gate so transistor switches are used.

How are two transistors connected to maximise signal gain?

To maximise the signal gain, the two transistors are connected in a “Complementary Gain Compounding Configuration” or what is more commonly called a “ Darlington Configuration ” were the amplification factor is the product of the two individual transistors.

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Ruth Doyle