Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistor

Hello, friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today’s tutorial, we will discuss the Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistors. The basic difference between NPN and PNP transistors is that in an NPN transistor current moves from the collector to the emitter after the application of positive supply to the base while in PNP configuration the current flows emitter to the collector after the application of negative supply at the base terminal. Both NPN and PNP are types of BJT or bipolar junction transistors. It is a device used to regulate the current and can also be used as a switch or amplifier.

In most circuitry NPN transistor is used since in NPN transistor current flows due to electrons while in PNP transistor current flows due to holes. Due to the fast movement of electrons, high conduction occurs in the NPN. In today’s post, we will have a detailed look at both NPN and PNP transistors with the details and compare them to find their differences. So let’s get started with the Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistors.

Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistor

NPN Transistor

• The type of BJT in which 2 N-type layers are separated with the Player is called NPN transistor.
• The full form of the NPN transistor is Negative, Positive, and Negative.

• Its switching speed is higher than the PNP.
• The minority carriers in this transistor are holes.
• The positive voltage is given at the collector of the NPN transistor.
• The direction of current flow in the NPN transistor is from Collector to Emitter.
• It starts operation after entering of electrons in the base.
• In this transistor, current is generated due to the movement of electrons.
• Its outer side current is generated due to the movement of holes.
• In this transistor majority, charge carriers are electrons.
• Its emitter-based junction is a forward-biased state.
• The collector-base junction is reverse-biased.
• Less value of current flows from emitter-to-base.

PNP Transistor

• The type of transistor in which 2 P regions are separated by the single N-type substance.
• The full form of PNP is Positive Negative and Positive.
• It starts operation after the entrance of holes in the base.

• Its inner current is generated due to the movement of holes.
• Its outer current is generated due to the movement of electrons.

• Its switching speed is less than the NPN transistor.
• In this transistor, electrons are minority charge carriers.
• The voltage is given to the emitter of the transistor.
• The direction of the current flow in this transistor is from Emitter to Collector.
• Its Emitter Base Junction is a forward-biased state.
• Its Collector Base Junction is a reversed-biased state.
• A small value of current flows from base to emitter.

How Does NPN Transistor Work?

• If voltage is connected at the base-emitter junction, it forward biases junction helps current to flow from the emitter to the base. That current passes through the base and then the collector, where it amplifies and passes through the output circuit.
• Transistors are used as amplifiers or switches based on circuit configuration.

How Does PNP Transistor Work?

• If voltage is that base-emitter junction it reverses biases junctions and prevents current from flowing. But when voltage is not connected small reverse leakage current passes through the emitter to the base.
• This current is amplified through the transistor and passes through the collector to the output.

NPN vs PNP Transistor

NPN Transistor

• P-doped materials is connected between two N materials
• The majority of carriers are electrons
• Direction of current flow collector to emitter.
• Its base is made with a thin layer of P-semiconductor materials
• It used for low-power and high-frequency applications
• it used for oscillators, switching circuits
• It has higher electron movement than holes.
• It needed a positive voltage at the base than the emitter.
• The emitter is doped with impurities for increasing conductivity.
•  It used as a switch
• Electrons move from emitter to collectors
• it is used for circuits that need negative voltage.

PNP Transistor

• N material is sandwiched between Two P-doped materials
• it has majority carriers in the form of holes
• Current flow from emitter to base
• The base is made with a thin layer of N-type semiconductor materials
• It is used for high-power and low-power applications.
• It used in power supply voltage regulators and audio amplifiers
• It has hole movement faster than electron movement
• It needed negative voltage at the base than the emitter working
• It used as an amplifier in linear circuits
• Holes flow from emitter to collectors
• Switching is done with negative voltage to the base.

Applications of NPN Transistor

• It used in amplifier and switching circuits
• Digital logic switches and signal processes
• It is used in radio receiver digital circuits

Advantages of NPN Transistor

• It provides high gain and high input impedance
• It has low noise and high-speed switching
• It is low-cost and easy to access.

Disadvantages of NPN Transistor

• it has good performance in high temperature conditions.
• It has low breakdown voltage
• and relatively low power uses.

That is a detailed post about the difference between NPN vs PNP transistors if you have any queries ask in the comments. Thanks for reading. Have a good day.