I have tons of 2N5038 150V 30Amps, many other TIP32x. Wiki said NPN is so
much better than PNP's I know that but I still want to do some experiment.



Thanks,

"Camsid" wrote in message ...
I have tons of 2N5038 150V 30Amps, many other TIP32x. Wiki said NPN is so
much better than PNP's I know that but I still want to do some experiment.




One is not "better" than the other, but rather some applications call for
NPN, some for PNP, and others require both. It depends what you're doing.

James Sweet wrote:

"Camsid" wrote in message ...

I have tons of 2N5038 150V 30Amps, many other TIP32x. Wiki said NPN is so
much better than PNP's I know that but I still want to do some experiment.

I wonder what wiki?

One is not "better" than the other, but rather some applications call for
NPN, some for PNP, and others require both. It depends what you're doing.

Depending on the wiki, perhaps the reference was historical; in the late
1950's - early 1960's there was a lot of buzz about new 'mesa' NPN transistors
which had hugely improved characteristics over previous mostly PNP processes.

Michael

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:49:42 -0600, msg wrote:

James Sweet wrote:

"Camsid" wrote in message ...

I have tons of 2N5038 150V 30Amps, many other TIP32x. Wiki said NPN is so
much better than PNP's I know that but I still want to do some experiment.

I wonder what wiki?

One is not "better" than the other, but rather some applications call for
NPN, some for PNP, and others require both. It depends what you're doing.

Depending on the wiki, perhaps the reference was historical; in the late
1950's - early 1960's there was a lot of buzz about new 'mesa' NPN transistors
which had hugely improved characteristics over previous mostly PNP processes.

Michael

Stille there are some small differences. Compare the end 70's
transistors like BC547/BC557, and you will see that the NPN one
usually has somewhat more bandwidth or other better parameters. I was
taught that the NPN's tend to be (this is not a rule) a little more
robust when you overload them. I haven't check the latest transistors.

Pieter

"Pieter" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:49:42 -0600, msg wrote:

James Sweet wrote:

"Camsid" wrote in message
...

I have tons of 2N5038 150V 30Amps, many other TIP32x. Wiki said NPN is
so
much better than PNP's I know that but I still want to do some
experiment.

I wonder what wiki?

One is not "better" than the other, but rather some applications call
for
NPN, some for PNP, and others require both. It depends what you're
doing.

Depending on the wiki, perhaps the reference was historical; in the late
1950's - early 1960's there was a lot of buzz about new 'mesa' NPN
transistors
which had hugely improved characteristics over previous mostly PNP
processes.

Michael

Stille there are some small differences. Compare the end 70's
transistors like BC547/BC557, and you will see that the NPN one
usually has somewhat more bandwidth or other better parameters. I was
taught that the NPN's tend to be (this is not a rule) a little more
robust when you overload them. I haven't check the latest transistors.

Pieter



Ok, you all are smart. I was just using Wiki's stupid editor as a reason
to get you to exchange stuffs...heehe. You know what I mean? The American
Way. To be honest with you I don't like NPN, most of them takes so much
Base current which means you have to buy a big resistor if you deal with
the final output.

Ok, you all are smart. I was just using Wiki's stupid editor as a reason
to get you to exchange stuffs...heehe. You know what I mean? The American
Way. To be honest with you I don't like NPN, most of them takes so much
Base current which means you have to buy a big resistor if you deal with
the final output.




If the base current bothers you, pick up some MOSFETs, they're voltage
driven and require no appreciable base current, you can turn them on easily
with what will conduct through your body.

James Sweet wrote:

snip

you can turn them on easily
with what will conduct through your body.

'Charged' words to be written for an audience enduring a cold,
lonely, snowy winter.

Michael

"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:9Rntj.27$k_4.16@trnddc04...


Ok, you all are smart. I was just using Wiki's stupid editor as a
reason
to get you to exchange stuffs...heehe. You know what I mean? The
American
Way. To be honest with you I don't like NPN, most of them takes so much
Base current which means you have to buy a big resistor if you deal with
the final output.




If the base current bothers you, pick up some MOSFETs, they're voltage
driven and require no appreciable base current, you can turn them on
easily
with what will conduct through your body.





MOSFET's die so easily, do google search on "Mosfet failure" you will see
what I mean. It depends on the application really, MOSFET's are still good
for other applications but not to drive heavy duty coils that has a AC
kick-back effect. If MOSFET's were used in your vehicle, 99% of the
traffic will stop moving.

Have you noticed that it has the latch effect? Just like you toggle the
switch on and off.

"Camsid" wrote in :

MOSFET's die so easily, do google search on "Mosfet failure" you will
see what I mean. It depends on the application really, MOSFET's are
still good for other applications but not to drive heavy duty coils that
has a AC kick-back effect. If MOSFET's were used in your vehicle, 99%
of the traffic will stop moving.


Many are intended for switching high current loads, and have protection
diodes built in, and can have more added. I'm fairly sure a varistor or zener
will punish any errant spikes forcibly enough, too.

Have you noticed that it has the latch effect? Just like you toggle the
switch on and off.



That might be a problem, not sure though, I don't know enough about them to
comment more.

Lostgallifreyan wrote in
:

MOSFET's die so easily, do google search on "Mosfet failure" you will
see what I mean. It depends on the application really, MOSFET's are
still good for other applications but not to drive heavy duty coils
that has a AC kick-back effect. If MOSFET's were used in your vehicle,
99% of the traffic will stop moving.


Many are intended for switching high current loads, and have protection
diodes built in, and can have more added. I'm fairly sure a varistor or
zener will punish any errant spikes forcibly enough, too.


Further to this, I've seen Robin Bowden's small video of a laser diode module
he zapped with a gas ignitor. All that happened was the laser diode flashed
as the ernergy hit it. He protected it with no more that a zener and a low
ESR ceramic cap, and maybe a resistor, so if you can protect a laser diode
that way, against strong direct repeated hits, I GUARANTEE you can protect a
MOSFET.

MOSFET's die so easily, do google search on "Mosfet failure" you will see
what I mean. It depends on the application really, MOSFET's are still
good
for other applications but not to drive heavy duty coils that has a AC
kick-back effect. If MOSFET's were used in your vehicle, 99% of the
traffic will stop moving.

Have you noticed that it has the latch effect? Just like you toggle the
switch on and off.



Bull****. I've been using MOSFETs for years, failure is very rare. They
*are* used in my car as the injector drivers, as well as many other cars.
They're also used all the time in industrial motor drivers, coil drivers,
high powered tesla coils, virtually everywhere. They're very durable parts
so long as you protect them from ESD and use them within their
specifications.

"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:i%Gtj.35947$we5.22789@trnddc02...


MOSFET's die so easily, do google search on "Mosfet failure" you will see
what I mean. It depends on the application really, MOSFET's are still
good
for other applications but not to drive heavy duty coils that has a AC
kick-back effect. If MOSFET's were used in your vehicle, 99% of the
traffic will stop moving.

Have you noticed that it has the latch effect? Just like you toggle the
switch on and off.



Bull****. I've been using MOSFETs for years, failure is very rare. They
*are* used in my car as the injector drivers, as well as many other cars.
They're also used all the time in industrial motor drivers, coil drivers,
high powered tesla coils, virtually everywhere. They're very durable parts
so long as you protect them from ESD and use them within their
specifications.
Absolutely agree - I use MOSFETs in practically all of my designs for
industrial and commercial applications and produce several hundred units
annually that work in environmentally unsavory conditions. Due to good
design and ensuring they work within their specs (and use only quality
branded devices) I have had 0% failure in over 3 years.