Transistor Switches Objectives: 1. Construct and test a basic transistor circuit for its switching characteristics. 2.

Use measurements to determine if a transistor is in cutoff or saturation. 3. Add a load to visually determine whether a transistor is in cutoff or saturation.

Theory: When transistors are used as switches, they operate in either cutoff or saturation. Cutoff refers to the condition where the transistor acts like an open switch and therefore no current flow in the collector circuit. The full supply voltage appears across the collector emitter (VCE). Saturation refers to the condition where the transistor acts like a closed switch and the collector circuit conducts as much current as possible (IC(sat)). No voltage is present across the collector emitter (VCE). In this experiment, you will construct a transistor switching circuit and verify its operation in both cutoff and saturation.

Materials Needed: Resistors: 1K and 10K npn transistor (2n3904 or equivalent) LED

Procedure Part 1
For the circuit shown in Figure 1, calculate the saturation current and determine the cutoff voltage (voltage from collector to emitter), VCE(cutoff) . IC(sat) =VCC/ (RC + RE) VCE(cutoff) } VCC IC(sat) = ________________ VCE(cutoff) } ________________

Figure 1 With VBB = 5V, calculate the base current and then using a beta value of 150 calculate the collector current. IB = (VBB 0.7)/RB IC = IB IB = _____________ IC = _____________ Is the value of IC greater than the IC(sat) calculated above? If yes explain. ______________________________________________________________________________

Part 2
Construct the circuit shown in Figure 1.

Set VBB to 0V. Measure VCE. __________ Measure the voltage across the collector resistor, VRc. _______________ Calculate the collector current IC. (IC = VRc/RC) Enter the data in Table 1.

By observing both VCE and IC, is the transistor in saturation or cutoff? _________________ Is the transistor acting as an open or closed switch? __________________

Set VBB to 5V. Measure VCE. __________ Measure the voltage across the collector resistor, VRc. _______________ Calculate the collector current IC. (IC = VRc/RC) Enter the data into Table1.

By observing both VCE and IC, is the transistor in saturation or cutoff? _________________ Is the transistor acting as an open or closed switch? __________________

VCE VBB = 0V VBB = 5V

VRc

IC

Table 1 Part 3
Insert a LED in series with the collector resistor. Anode towards VCC and cathode towards ground.

Set VBB to 0V. Is the LED on or off? _________ Is the transistor acting as an open or closed switch? __________________

Set VBB to 5V. Is the LED on or off? _________ Is the transistor acting as an open or closed switch? __________________