Hello, readers welcome to the new post. Here we will discuss the Introduction to 2N3904 NPN Transistor. The transistor is an electronic device that is used in different projects as switches and amplifiers. Different types of transistors are used according to circuits and features. However, two main types of transistors are based on the doping configuration such as PNP and NPN transistors.
Here we will give an overview of the 2N3904 NPN Transistor which is very commonly used in different projects and circuits.
Introduction to 2N3904 NPN Transistor
- The 2N3904 has NPN configured BJT transistor and is employed in amplifiers and switching projects
- Its structure is such that can operate at less value of current power and volts.
- This module was created by the Motorola company which is very famous for electronic components manufacturing.
- It comes with the To-92 packaging configuration
- It is less expensive, and due to different features used in certain applications
- It has three main pinouts emitter, base, and collector
- It uses the current value of two hundred milliamperes forty volts and six twenty-five milliwatts
- There are two hundred milliamperes currents that can pass through it.
- During biasing, there should be five milliamp currents should be provided.
- In case of complete biasing, there should be two hundred milliamps current that can pass through it
- In a fully biased state called saturation region.
- This transistor type allows a high value of 200mA to pass about the emitter and collector for a completely biased state. This phase is called the Saturation Region.
- The voltage of the collector base or collector-emitter is about 40V or 60V. In this condition transistor gets off due to the absence of base current and is called a cut-off region. The base-emitter voltage is about 600 mV.
2N3904 NPN Transistor Features
- Its main features are listed here
- It comes in to-92 casing type
- The value of VCB for this device is sixty volts
- value of VCEis forty volts
- VBE is six volts
- The collector current is two hundred milliampere
- Its nature is BJT.
- (Ic) (Max) value is 200mA
- DC gain is 300
- DC gain (Min) is 100
- The collector-to-emitter voltage value is 40
- Base to emitter voltage is about 6V
- Collector to base voltage is about 60V
- The Power Maximum is about 800mW
- Frequency Conversion is about 100MHz
- Package/Case for this component are TO-39-3, TO-205AD
2N3904 NPN Transistor Pinout
- There are three main pinouts it has’
- Emitter: Current comes out from this point
- Base: Work as a control for components like tap
- Collector Larger than the other two parts and get the supply
2N3904 NPN Transistor Applications
- Its main applications are listed here with a detailed
- It used as the switch
- work as amplifiers
- operates in Darlington Pairs
- Consists of home appliances such as LED TV
- part of sound and signal amplifiers
2N3904 Transistor as a switch
- During transistor as switch operation, it works in saturation and cut-off regions. Transistors operate as an open switch for forwarding biased states and closing within reverse biased states. To get this biasing level provide the required current at the base. For biasing current five milliamperes are needed. The value of the current is larger than this current damages the transistor So resistance used in series combination to the base pin
- Base resistance can be found through the formula
- Rb=VBE/IB
2N3904 equivalent
- The equivalent transistor of this component is given below
- BC537, BC538, 2N4401, and P2N2222A. BC547 and BC548.
2n3904 Transistors Working Principle
The 2N3904 transistor has a charge carrier in the form of electrons so negatively charged. This condition of the transistor can change through reverse bias to forward bias according to to small voltage value at the base terminal that is 0.7V).
The working conditions for 2N3904 are
- The base voltage (Vb) value is larger than the emitter voltage (Ve).
- The collector voltage (Vc) is higher than the Base voltage (Vb).
If the base is connected with a ground pin emitter and collectors are in reverse reverse-biased state or open. If the signal is at the base then a forward-biased state will exist. The high gain value of this transistor is about 300 which defines amplification features.
The highest current provided by the collector is about 200mA, so the load using a current of more than 200 is not connected to the transistor. When the current is at the base transistor starts biasing and the Ib current will be 5mA.
In the form of a complete biasing transistor allows a maximum of 200mA to pass through the emitter and collectors. In this condition transistor is in saturation region. But collector-emitter or collector base pins have features to handle 40V and 60V respectively.
If the base current is off transistor will be in cut off-region
Common Use of 2N3904
- Transistors work as switches for Saturation and cut-off regions. Forward biasing or closed switching devices at the time of reverse bias work as an open switch.
- Biasing is done by providing current at base pinout. The maximum biasing current not be higher than 5mA. The current higher than 5mA causes to damage the transistor. So resistor is used in series with the base pin.
2N3904 as Amplifier:
- In Active region, transistors work as amplifiers and amplify power, voltage, and current
2N3904 VS 2N2222 NPN Transistor
2n3904 transistor
2n3904 transistor applications
- Module driving circuits
- LED driving
- Used at almost all home appliances
- Relay driving
- Amplifier circuits
- Amplifier modules
- Used at television
2n3904 Package
The 2n3904 transistor comes with To-92 packaging that covers the use of plastic material and expo. The use of this package is low-cost and easy to handle. But it does not have a feature to handle high temperatures.
2n3904 complementary PNP
The 2n3904 NPN transistor uses a PNP complementary transistor. commonly used PNP transistors are 2n3904 is the 2n3906.
2n2222 transistor
2n2222 transistor applications
- Amplifier circuits
- Complementary transistor amplifier circuits
- Rectifier circuits
- Speed control systems
- High current circuits
- Used as switch
- PWM
- Embedded systems
- Automation systems
- Inverter circuits
2n2222 Package
The 2n2222 transistor comes in TO-18 packages and is covered with metallic layers. The main benefit of this package is that has features to handle high currents and also handle high temperatures. We can say that the TO-18 package works like a heat sink.
2N3904 VS 2N2222
| Features | 2n2222 | 2n3904 |
|
(VCB)
|
60v | 60v |
|
(VCE)
|
30 | 40 |
|
(VEB)
|
5v | 6v |
|
(IC)
|
800mA | 200mA |
|
Power dissipation
|
500mw | 625mw |
|
(TJ)
|
200°C | 150°C |
|
Transition frequency (FT)
|
250MHZ | 300MHZ |
| Noise | 4db | 10db |
| Gain | 30 – 300 hFE | 30 – 300 hFE |
| Package | TO-18 | TO-92 |
Faqs
Can I connect 2N3904 instead of BC547?
- 2N3904 has higest IC value about 200mA and BC547 has 100mA. So we can replace 2N3904 in place to BC547 in load that is less than 100mA. But BC547 is not used if the load is higher than 100mA.
Can we connect BC547 instead of 2N2222?
- Yes, we can connect for switching purposes check the collector current or collector-emitter Voltage datasheet.
Which transistor can be used than 2N3904?
2N3904: P2N2222A, BC537, BC538, 2N4401,. BC547 and BC548 can replaced as functionally equivalent transistors.
Is BC547 the same as 2N3904?
Both are different in manufacturer, hFE, and datasheet parameters. They are NPN bipolar junction transistors so used for low-power switching or amplifying applications.
Read also:
- Transistor Symbols | Definition, Terminals & Operating Condition
- Introduction to C945 Transistor
- Introduction to BC547 Transistor, Pinout, datasheet
- Introduction to MJE2955T Transistor
- Introduction to MJE13001 Transistor
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