PNP Transistor
PNP Transistor
In this tutorial, we will try to understand the basics of PNP Tansistor. We ill learn
its working, Pins, basic circuit, identification of terminals, example and a few
applications.
Introduction
PNP transistor is another type of Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT). The structure
of the PNP transistor is completely different from the NPN transistor. The two
PN-junction diodes in the PNP transistor structure are reversed with respect to
the NPN transistor, such as the two P-type doped semiconductor materials are
separated by a thin layer of N-type doped semiconductor material.
In PNP transistor, the majority current carriers are holes and electrons are the
minority current carriers. All the supply voltage polarities applied to the PNP
transistor are reversed. In PNP, the current sinks in to the base terminal. The
small base current in the PNP has the ability to control the large emitter-collector
current because it is a current-controlled device.
The arrow for BJT transistors is always located on the emitter terminal and also it
indicates the direction of conventional current flow. In PNP transistor this arrow
indicates as ‘pointing in’ and the current direction in PNP is completely opposite
to the NPN transistor. The structure of PNP transistor is completely opposite to
the NPN transistor. But the characteristics and operation of the PNP transistor is
almost same as NPN transistor with small differences. The symbol and structure
for PNP transistor is shown below.
The above figure shows the structure and symbol of PNP Transistor. This
transistor mainly consists of 3 terminals and they are Emitter (E), Collector (C)
and Base (B). Here if you observe, the base current flows out of the base unlike
NPN transistor. The emitter voltage is much positive with respect to base and
collector.
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The circuit connection of PNP transistor with supply voltages is given below.
Here the base terminal has negative bias with respect to emitter and the emitter
terminal has positive bias voltage with respect to both base and collector
because of PNP transistor.
The polarities and current directions are reversed here compared to NPN
transistor. If the transistor is connected to all the voltage sources as shown
above then the base current flows through the transistor but here the base
voltage needs to be more negative with respect to the emitter to operate
transistor. Here the base- emitter junction acts as a diode. The small amount of
current in the base controls the flowing of large current through emitter to
collector region. The base voltage is generally 0.7V for Si and 0.3V for
Germanium devices.
Here the base terminal acts as input and the emitter- collector region acts as
output. The supply voltage VCC is connected to the emitter terminal and a load
resistor (RL) is connected to the collector terminal. This load resistor (RL) is used
to limits the maximum current flow through the device. One more resistor (RB) is
connected to the base terminal which is used to limit the maximum current flow
through the base terminal and also a negative voltage is applied to the base
terminal. Here the collector current is always equal to the subtraction of base
current from emitter current. Like NPN transistor, the PNP transistor also has the
current gain value β. Now let us see the relation between the currents and
current gain β.
IC = IE – IB
The DC current gain (β) for the PNP transistor is same as the NPN transistor.
Here output current is collector current and input current is base current.
β = IC/IB
IB = IC/β
IC = β IB
Current gain = Collector current/ Emitter current (In common base transistor)
α = IC/IE
IC – α IC = α IB + ICBO
IC (1- α) = α IB + ICBO
Since β = α / (1- α)
Now we get the equation for collector current
IC = β IB + (1+ β) ICBO
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Consider a PNP transistor, which is connected in the circuit with the supply
voltages VB = 1.5V, VE = 2V, +VCC = 10V and –VCC = -10V. And also this circuit
connected with the resistors of RB = 200kΩ and RE = RC (or RL) = 5kΩ. Now
calculate the current gain values (α, β) of the PNP transistor.
Here
VB = 1.5V
VE = 2V
Base current,
Emitter current,
Collector current,
Finally we get the current gain values of a considered PNP transistor are,
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BJT Transistor Matching
Transistor matching is nothing but connecting the both NPN and PNP transistors
in a single design to generate high power. This structure is also called as
“matched pair”. The both NPN and PNP transistors are called complementary
transistors. Mainly these matched pair circuits are used in power amplifiers, such
as class B amplifiers. If we connect the complementary transistors which are
having the same characteristics then it is very useful to operate the output stages
in motors and large machinery designs by producing high power continuously.
The NPN transistor conducts only in the positive half cycle of signal and the PNP
transistor conducts only in the negative half cycle of the signal, due to this the
device operates continuously. This continuous operation is very useful in the
power motors to produce continuous power. The complementary transistors need
to have same DC current gain (β) value. These matched pair circuits are used in
motors controlling, robotics and power amplifier applications.
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Generally we identify the PNP transistors with their structure. We have some
differences in the structures of both NPN and PNP transistors when compared.
One more thing to identify the PNP transistor is generally the PNP transistor is in
OFF for positive voltage and it is in ON when small output current and negative
voltage at its base with respect to emitter. But to identify them with most
efficiently we use some other technique by calculating the resistance between
the three terminals, such as base, emitter and collector.
We have some standard resistance values for identifying the both NPN and PNP
transistors. It is necessary to test each pair of terminals in both directions for
resistance values so totally six tests are needed. This process is very much
useful to identify the PNP transistor easily. Now we see the operation behavior of
each pair of terminals.
Now let us see the resistance value table to identify both NPN and PNP
transistors as shown in the following table.
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The circuit in the above figure shows the PNP transistor as a switch. The
operation of this circuit is very simple, if the input pin of transistor (base) is
connected to ground (i.e. negative voltage) then the PNP transistor is in ‘ON’,
now the supply voltage at emitter conducts and the output pin pulled up to the
larger voltage. If the input pin connected to the high voltage (i.e. positive voltage)
then the transistor is ‘OFF’, so the output voltage has to be low (zero). This
operation shows the switching conditions of a PNP transistor due to their ON and
OFF states.
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Applications
PNP transistors are used to source current, i.e. current flows out of the
collector.
PNP transistors are used as switches.
These are used in the amplifying circuits.
PNP transistors are used when we need to turnoff something by push a
button. i.e. emergency shutdown.
Used in Darlington pair circuits.
Used in matched pair circuits to produce continuous power.
Used in heavy motors to control current flow.
Used in robotic applications.
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