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Is this right? — Parallax Forums

Is this right?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-07-17 18:06 in General Discussion
I've posted some questions to this group about power supplies and
driving higher current loads with the BS-1. I appreciate all the
info I've received from the members. I still search the web and try
and strengthen my very limited knowledge.

Anyway, I was surfing and came across the following link:

http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/articles/drivers/drivers.html

What struck me as odd was in the "What is bad about transistors?"
section. It says:

"Because of the nature of semi-conductors, the voltage of the input
(at the base) must be higher than that of the high-current load
placed across the emitter and collector. This voltage difference is
typically between 1 and 2 volts. Transistors also are limited in the
amount of current they can amplify. Many transistors can be used in
parallel to overcome this disadvantage."

Is this right?? I frequently drive 12 volt loads through a variety
of transistors connnected to the 5V stamp pin (w/ series res)...
Or, am I reading this wrong?

TIA,

Rob

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-17 14:45
    You are reading it right, It says across "collector and emitter", not across
    the load itself. Collector-emitter voltage drops runs from about .7 to
    1.5VDC, depending on the tansistor and configuration you are using.


    Sid Weaver
    W4EKQ
    Port Richey, FL


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-17 15:20
    Yes, you've read it right, BUT.

    Most stamp apps use a BS2 pin to
    turn-on/turn-off the Base of a transistor.
    The Load is typically between the Collector
    and a positive voltage, with a current limiting
    resistor in series. The Emitter typically goes
    straight to ground.

    In this configuration, a +5 on the Base
    (with a current limiting resistor in
    series with the Base) with a
    +12 on the Collector results in current flow.

    A 0V on the Base with a +12 on the Collector
    results in NO current flow (the Transistor is
    'off', high-impedance between Collector and
    Emitter).

    So, the configuration being talked about in the
    article is NOT the configuration you use in
    controlling 12 volt loads.

    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "rrothe64" <rrothe@m...> wrote:
    > I've posted some questions to this group about power supplies and
    > driving higher current loads with the BS-1. I appreciate all the
    > info I've received from the members. I still search the web and
    try
    > and strengthen my very limited knowledge.
    >
    > Anyway, I was surfing and came across the following link:
    >
    > http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/articles/drivers/drivers.html
    >
    > What struck me as odd was in the "What is bad about transistors?"
    > section. It says:
    >
    > "Because of the nature of semi-conductors, the voltage of the input
    > (at the base) must be higher than that of the high-current load
    > placed across the emitter and collector. This voltage difference
    is
    > typically between 1 and 2 volts. Transistors also are limited in
    the
    > amount of current they can amplify. Many transistors can be used
    in
    > parallel to overcome this disadvantage."
    >
    > Is this right?? I frequently drive 12 volt loads through a variety
    > of transistors connnected to the 5V stamp pin (w/ series res)...
    > Or, am I reading this wrong?
    >
    > TIA,
    >
    > Rob
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-17 18:06
    Check out this web site for schematics for transistor switching for
    controlling relays, valves,etc and also motors.

    jim
    http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/


    Original Message
    From: Allan Lane [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=HnmnIBxGbLgwqZrQ__KO1oUfakWlDwQR59XcrxvLBXgmZCTI6NvTygW38KM8nlr9qGOWCX5QLw8X9HBZVf99dzwBk-UF2-w]allan.lane@h...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 10:21 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Is this right?


    Yes, you've read it right, BUT.

    Most stamp apps use a BS2 pin to
    turn-on/turn-off the Base of a transistor.
    The Load is typically between the Collector
    and a positive voltage, with a current limiting
    resistor in series. The Emitter typically goes
    straight to ground.

    In this configuration, a +5 on the Base
    (with a current limiting resistor in
    series with the Base) with a
    +12 on the Collector results in current flow.

    A 0V on the Base with a +12 on the Collector
    results in NO current flow (the Transistor is
    'off', high-impedance between Collector and
    Emitter).

    So, the configuration being talked about in the
    article is NOT the configuration you use in
    controlling 12 volt loads.

    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "rrothe64" <rrothe@m...> wrote:
    > I've posted some questions to this group about power supplies and
    > driving higher current loads with the BS-1. I appreciate all the
    > info I've received from the members. I still search the web and
    try
    > and strengthen my very limited knowledge.
    >
    > Anyway, I was surfing and came across the following link:
    >
    > http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/articles/drivers/drivers.html
    >
    > What struck me as odd was in the "What is bad about transistors?"
    > section. It says:
    >
    > "Because of the nature of semi-conductors, the voltage of the input
    > (at the base) must be higher than that of the high-current load
    > placed across the emitter and collector. This voltage difference
    is
    > typically between 1 and 2 volts. Transistors also are limited in
    the
    > amount of current they can amplify. Many transistors can be used
    in
    > parallel to overcome this disadvantage."
    >
    > Is this right?? I frequently drive 12 volt loads through a variety
    > of transistors connnected to the 5V stamp pin (w/ series res)...
    > Or, am I reading this wrong?
    >
    > TIA,
    >
    > Rob


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