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 emitter after the application of positive supply to the base while in PNP configuration the current flow 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 use as a switch or amplifier.

In mostly 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 Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistors.

Difference Between NPN vs PNP Transistor

NPN Transistor

• The types 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 high 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.
• Its 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 generates 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 forward biased state.
• Its Collector Base Junction is a reversed-biased state.
• A small value of current flows from base to emitter.

NPN vs PNP Transistor

Here some points for NPN vs PNP Transistor explained

Feature	NPN Transistor	PNP Transistor
Structure	It comes with a sandwich-like structure with a P base and N emitter and a collector	It have N sandwiched between the collector and emitter which are P-type materials
Current carriers	Electrons	Holes
Majority carriers	Electrons	Holes
Minority carriers	Holes	Electrons
Polarity	(NPN) or Negative-positive-negative	Positive-negative-positive or (PNP)
Voltage polarity	The collector is positive relative to the emitter	The emitter is positive relative to the collector
Biasing	Forward-biased base-emitter junction and reverse-biased base-collector junction	Forward-biased base-collector junction and the reverse-biased base-emitter junction
Operation	In an NPN transistor, a small current passes through the base to cause a larger current from the collector to the emitter	In a PNP transistor, a small current flowing out of the base that allows a larger current to flow from the emitter to the collector.
Current amplification	It has High current amplification	Amplification low current
Voltage gain	Good voltage gain	Poor voltage gain
Power handling	Lower power handling capability	Higher power handling capability
Output signal	Inverted output signal	Non-inverted output signal
Input impedance	High input impedance	Low input impedance
Output impedance	Low output impedance	High output impedance
Noise	Low noise	High noise
Speed	Fast switching speed	Slow switching speed
Temperature sensitivity	Less sensitive to temperature changes	More sensitive to temperature changes
Saturation voltage	0.7 V	-0.7 V
Cost	Less expensive	Costly
Applications	Amplifiers, switches, and digital circuits	Amplifiers, switches, and digital circuits
Common-emitter configuration	Most commonly used configuration	Less commonly used configuration
Common-collector configuration	Used as voltage followers or impedance-matching circuits	Used as current amplifiers or switches
Common-base configuration	Employed in high-frequency applications	Employed in low-frequency applications
Maximum frequency	It has a maximum frequency	It has a maximum frequency
Leakage current	It has high leakage current	Less  leakage current
Reverse breakdown voltage	Lower reverse breakdown voltage	Higher reverse breakdown voltage
Power efficiency	Low power efficient	High power efficient

 

Types of Transistors & BJT VS FET / MOSFET

Transistor Type	Structure	Operation	Current Carriers	Voltage Gain	Power Handling	Input Impedance	Output Impedance	Noise	Speed	Temperature Sensitivity	Saturation Voltage	Cost	Applications
BJT	Sandwich-like structure with p-type or n-type base, an n-type or p-type emitter and collector regions	Current flow from emitter to collector is controlled by a small current into the base	Electrons and holes	Good voltage gain	Lower power handling capability	High input impedance	Low output impedance	Low noise	Fast switching speed	More sensitive to temperature changes	0.7 V (NPN), -0.7 V (PNP)	Inexpensive	Amplifiers, switches, and digital circuits
FET/MOSFET	Gate is separated from the channel by an insulating layer, and the gate voltage controls the current flow through the channel	Current flow through the channel is controlled by the voltage applied to the gate	Majority carriers (either electrons or holes, depending on the type of FET)	Poor voltage gain	Higher power handling capability	Low input impedance	High output impedance	Low noise	Slow switching speed	Less sensitive to temperature changes	No saturation voltage	More expensive	Amplifiers, switches, and digital circuits

FAQS

1. Write the difference between an NPN and PNP transistor.

• The basic difference between NPN and PNP transistors is their charge carriers that are sued to carry current. In NPN electrons are the majority carriers and PNPN has holes as the majority carriers.

2. Write the main applications of NPN and PNP transistors.

• The main applications of NPN and PNP are digital circuits, amplifiers, voltage regulators, and motor control circuits

3. Which transistor has a high input impedance value?

• The input impedance of PNP transistors is high than NPN

4. Which transistor has a high output value of impedance?

• NPN has high output impedance

5. Write the main purpose of a transistor.

• The transistor is semiconductors components used for amplification or switching circuits. It is mostly used in radio, tv computers, and other electronic devices

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.