Re: transistors: so confusing!!

Joe McElvenney wrote:
Andrew,

Something that has been confusing me no-end, and I just cant seem to
grasp, is how a TRANSISTOR works!!!

You are not alone!

Try this, it is much closer to the truth although, as with most
explanations, an over-simplification.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The base and emitter form a diode.

Put a forward voltage across that diode and electrons will flow
out of the emitter into the base (i.e. in a NPN transistor).

Now the base region is narrow and the base/collector junction is
biased so as to attract electrons to it.

So, on the way to the base terminal, more than 90% of them are
kidnapped by the collector and never get there. It acts like a
narrow pipe with a big hole in it.

More voltage on the base, more emitter current and so more of it
available to be diverted.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There are two hang-ups that can cause confusion -

1). Current flow in the collector is caused by a smaller current
flow in the base.

But what causes that base current in the first place? It is of
course the base to emitter voltage.

Essentially then, a transistor is a voltage (not a current)
operated device although when working out biasing, it is
convenient to stay with the 'current' model.

2). The collector-base region is reverse-biased.

Yes it is, but only for electrons trying to flow in from the
collector. For the electrons in the base trying to get into the
collector it is forward-biased.


Cheers - Joe

Dear friends,

Once again, the "VICE" issue has reared its head
("voltage-current/chicken-egg" or "voltage-current/cause-effect" to
some folks). When motors, generators, transformers, LED's incandescent
light bulbs, transistors, etc. are under examination, the VICE monster
often shows up.
In a bjt, the base current Ib, and the base-emitter voltage Vbe,
**mutually coexist**. They are interdependent, interactive,
concurrent, mutual, simultaneous, inclusive, joined at the hip, etc.
In other words one cannot exist without the other, but at the same
time, one is not "caused" by the other. Vbe does NOT "cause" Ib, and
vice-versa. Examine the I-V curve of any p-n junction, whether it be a
juction diode, gate-cathode terminals of an SCR, base-emitter junction
of a bjt, LED, etc., and it is immediately obvious that the curve
passes through the origin and does not touch either axis elsewhere. In
other words, diode current Id is zero only when diode voltage Vd is
zero, and vice-versa. If one is non-zero, so is the other.
In spite of this, some have insisted, since day one, that current is
"caused" by voltage. If that were the case (it isn't), then every
electrical device in the universe would be "voltage operated" and
nothing would be "current operated". We wouldn't even have to bother
with these terms.
A bjt is a *charge* operated device. Charge must be injected into
the forward biased b-e jcn, and the reverse biased c-b jcn. It takes
energy, or work in order to move the charge. Voltage doesn't move the
charge, energy does. Likewise with FETs. It takes energy, or work, to
charge the gate to source terminals.
With FETs, this charge and energy can be provided by either a
low-impedance constant-voltage source, or a high impedance
constant-current source. To keep it brief, a low-Z constant voltage
source is better suited for driving a FET gate due to the high-Z of the
gate. The v-source provides both Vgs and Ig, both necessary for FET
operation.
With a bjt, Ib and Vbe are also both needed for operation. A low-Z
constant voltage source, or a high-Z constant-current source could
provide both Vbe and Ib. Again, for brevity, a high-Z constant-current
source is better suited for driving the b-e junction due to its low-Z
characteristic and temperature dependency of current. The constant
i-source provides both Ib and Vbe, both of which are absolutely
indispensable.
All electrical devices require BOTH I and V working together in
tandem in order to function. Some devices, depending on their terminal
characteristics regarding impedance, temperature, etc., are more
amenable to being driven by a constant I source vs. a constant V
source, or vice versa. The constant I source provides BOTH I and V, as
does a constant V source. Have I explained myself? Best regards.

Claude

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