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What are the biasing conditions for transistor switching?
The definition of “saturation region” or “ON mode” when using a bipolar NPN transistor as a switch as being, both the junctions are forward biased, IC = Maximum, and VB > 0.7v. For a PNP transistor, the Emitter potential must be +ve with respect to the Base. This is the working of the transistor as a switch.
How does transistor act as a switch?
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.
What happens when you use a transistor as a switch?
Transistors that are fully “ON” are said to be in their Saturation region. Transistors that are fully “OFF” are said to be in their Cut-off region. When using the transistor as a switch, a small Base current controls a much larger Collector load current.
What’s the difference between a transistor and a NPN switch?
The equations for calculating the Base resistance, Collector current and voltages are exactly the same as for the previous NPN transistor switch. The difference this time is that we are switching power with a PNP transistor (sourcing current) instead of switching ground with an NPN transistor (sinking current).
How does a Darlington transistor work as a switch?
Darlington Transistors simply contain two individual bipolar NPN or PNP type transistors connected together so that the current gain of the first transistor is multiplied with that of the current gain of the second transistor to produce a device which acts like a single transistor with a very high current gain for a much smaller Base current.
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.