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What are transistors designed to control?
One of the most fundamental applications of a transistor is using it to control the flow of power to another part of the circuit — using it as an electric switch. Driving it in either cutoff or saturation mode, the transistor can create the binary on/off effect of a switch.
How does a computer control transistors?
“But in a computer chip, the control mechanism is the voltage on the control terminal of a transistor. This voltage turns on a transistor by changing its characteristics from that of an open circuit (the ‘off’ position) to one that can conduct a small current.
How are transistors used to control high current loads?
The particular model used in these examples is a TIP120 Darlington transistor. You could use an N-Channel MOSFET with a protection diode (more on that below) in place of the darlington transistor. The IRF520 MOSFET would be the appropriate equivalent (Figure 7). The basic circuit for using a transistor to control a high-current load is simple.
How is a transistor used to control a microcontroller?
These pins are meant to send control signals, not to act as power supplies. The most common way to control another direct current device from a microcontroller is to use a transistor. Transistors allow you to control the flow of a high-current circuit from a low-current source.
Can a transistor be used as a switch?
We can use any transistor according to power rating of the motor. In conclusion, if a control signal at the base input is 0 volts. It will provide an ON signal. Because we use a PNP switch in this example circuit. Similarly, it will remain off, its control signal is logic HIGH.
How does the base of a transistor control current?
The base still controls current flow, but that current flows in the opposite direction — from emitter to collector. Instead of electrons, the emitter emits “holes” (a conceptual absence of electrons) which are collected by the collector. The transistor is kind of like an electron valve.