Are NPN and PNP transistors interchangeable?

Are NPN and PNP transistors interchangeable?

Answer: NPN and PNP transistors are interchangeable if you remember one simple rule: A bipolar transistor is essentially two back-to-back diodes with the base being the common connection. On the left is an NPN (negative-positive-negative) transistor and on the right is a PNP (positive-negative-positive) transistor.

Are all PNP transistors the same?

Making of PNP Transistor The characteristics of both PNP and NPN transistors are similar except that the biasing of the voltage and current directions are reversed for any one of the possible three configurations such as a common base(CB), common emitter(CE) and common collector(CC).

What is PNP type transistor?

The PNP transistor is a type of transistor in which one n-type material is doped with two p-type materials. It is a device that is controlled by the current. In comparison to the emitter and collector, the base of a PNP transistor has always been negative.

How do you read a PNP transistor?

If you are testing PNP transistor, you should see “OL” (Over Limit). Keep the postitive lead on the BASE (B) and place the negative lead to the COLLECTOR (C). For an good NPN transistor, the meter should show a voltage drop between 0.45V and 0.9V. If you are testing PNP transistor, you should see “OL” (Over Limit).

Does it matter what transistor you use?

It is important to know what type the transistor is because there is a difference in the base emitter forward bias voltage drop. For example a low power general-purpose transistor is unlikely to work well in a switching application even if it has a high ft or frequency limit.

Can I use any transistor?

So yes transistors are interchangeable, if the type (npn/pnp) and required specs match.

What is NPN and PNP transistors?

NPN and PNP refer to the arrangement of the pieces that make up the transister. An NPN transistor has a piece of P-type silicon (the base) sandwiched between two pieces of N-type (the collector and emitter). In a PNP transistor, the type of the layers are reversed. Below is a typical cross section of a transistor.

What does PNP mean in electronics?

Positive, Negative, Positive
PNP stands for Positive, Negative, Positive. Also known as sourcing. On an IO Module, a PNP input, when undriven is pulled up to a high state e.g. +5V. NPN or PNP typically relates to digital signals. Sensors are an example of devices that can be either NPN or PNP.

When would you use a PNP transistor?

Since a PNP transistor works more or less the opposite of an NPN, it can be used where negative voltages are involved. One such example is in amplifying an AC signal* for driving a speaker.