Transistors - Basic questions

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hey!

I'm a bit new to working with transistors and I had a couple of questions.

I was wondering if there was a maximum voltage or current that could pass through a transistor.

Thanks!

WB

2

Yes there is a maximum for both current and voltage. A transistors data sheet will tell you what they are.

3

Thanks a lot!

What is a transistors data sheet? How do I find the one that corresponds to my transistor?

4

Google the transistor part number for the PDF data sheet.

5

Thanks a lot!

Simple question. Simple answer. But a lot of help.

Thanks!

WB

6

It's not quite as simple as just the maximum voltage and current, you also have to consider power dissipation, especially if the transistor will be operating in its linear region. Multiply the expected current with the expected voltage at that current to get the power dissipation, ensure this is below the maximum for the transistor. This is less of a problem for a transistor used for switching because it's either on: high current low voltage, so low power dissipation, or off: high voltage but low or no current, so little or no power dissipation.

7

Every device has limits for voltage and current - even a piece of wire.

8

Hi, @Arduino-NCC-1701
Google;

how to read transistor datasheets

This may help;

Tom.. :grinning: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

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9

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