Understanding
Transistor Data and Replacement/Equivalent
If, for some reason, you cant get an exact replacement for the
transistor that you want to replace, you can refer to one of the
transistor substitution guides or book, and try to identify a near
replacement. Beware, however. A substitution guide will sometimes
list a replacement for your part, even though the two parts are not
very similar. The most commonly used transistor substitution guides
is the Philips ECG semiconductors Master Replacement Guide.
Selecting the right transistor parameters or specifications for the
equipment you repair will avoid callbacks from customers. Callbacks
or repeated repairs due to wrong transistor substitution will cost
you extra money and a waste of time.
Some important transistor parameters are:
|
Maximum collector-to-base
voltage (VCBO) |
The replacement part should have a VCBO rating
equal to or higher than the original. |
|
Maximum
collector-to-emitter voltage (VCEO) |
The replacement part should have a VCEO rating
equal to or higher than the original. |
|
Maximum emitter-to-base
voltage (VEBO) |
The replacement part should have a VEBO rating
equal to or greater than the original |
|
Maximum collector current
(IC) |
The replacement part should be able to handle as
much (or more) collector current as the
original. |
|
Power dissipation (PD
Watts) |
The replacement part should be able to dissipate
as much (or more) power as the original part. |
|
Gain
(hFE) |
The replacement should have a gain equal to or
better than the original and it should be as close to the original
specification as possible. |
|
Gain-bandwidth
(fT) |
The replacement should have a transition
frequency equal to or faster than the original and it should be as
close to the original specification as
possible. |
Below is a table of application requirement and important
specification that you can use for guidelines when comes to
transistor substitution.
|
Application Requirement
: |
Important Specifications
: |
|
1. General purpose low level
amplifier
and switching
transistors. |
hFE, IC (max), fT, VCEO |
|
2. Power switching
applications |
VCEO, VCBO, hFE, IC (max), PD
(max) |
|
3. Low level IF/RF
amplification |
IC (max), fT, VCEO |
|
4. Audio
amplification |
IC (max), PD (max), hFE,
VCEO |
|
5. High voltage transistors |
VCEO, VCBO, IC (max), fT |
|
|
|
Remember, the replacement transistor should not run hot and if
problem still persist, try another replacement number or get the
original number if possible. Do not overlook that the surrounding
components also may caused the transistor to run hot even if
original number is used.

Author By : Jestine Yong, he is a electronic repairer and a writer.
For more information on electronic repair please visit his website
at : http://www.noahtec.com/electronic-repair-articles.htm
|