Test The Transistor

You can take a look at a transistor for practicality by playing a number of straightforward procedures employing a digital multi-meter. Most digital-type multi-meters area unit equipped with a diode take a look at perform which will be wont to take a look at a semiconductor. If the semiconductor is already connected to a card, it'll need to be off from the board before being tested. AN semiconductor unit is also used at intervals a circuit as AN electronic equipment or as a switch. despite its application, the procedure wont to take a look at a semiconductor is that the same as a result of all transistors essentially perform as 2 parallel diodes that share a typical part.

Before you'll be able to begin the particular testing procedure, you'll got to establish the kind of semiconductor you're testing. Transistors that area unit referred to as positive-negative-positive (PNP) have 2 input terminals and one output terminal. A semiconductor that's negative-positive-negative (NPN) can have one input terminal and 2 output terminals. each kinds of transistors have a complete of 3 terminals, that area unit referred to as the bottom terminal, collector terminal, and electrode terminal.

The type of semiconductor together with the situation and identity of its terminals is usually marked on the transistor’s outer packaging. If the semiconductor sort isn't marked on the packaging, you'll be able to perform an easy take a look at with a multi-meter to form this determination. confirm the orientation of the semiconductor’s 3 terminals and connect the positive lead of the multi-meter to the bottom terminal of the transistor. Next, connect the negative lead of the meter to either the collector or electrode terminal of the semiconductor. If the multi- meter displays a reading on top of zero, then the semiconductor is AN NPN sort.

Once you have got determined the semiconductor sort and therefore the orientation of its terminals, you're able to begin the particular testing procedure. to check a semiconductor for practicality, you'll got to flip the dial of the multi-meter to the diode setting. Next, connect the meter’s positive result in the bottom terminal of the semiconductor. you ought to then bit the negative lead of the meter to the transistor’s collector terminal and check for resistance. Next, bit the negative result in the electrode terminal and check for resistance. once you have got completed this procedure, you'll got to perform the whole take a look at once more with the negative lead connected to the bottom terminal of the semiconductor.

If the semiconductor is useful, the resistance reading from the primary portion of the take a look at are going to be terribly low and therefore the reading from the second half are going to be terribly high. If the semiconductor may be a PNP sort, you'll got to perform the primary a part of the take a look at with the negative lead connected to the bottom terminal and therefore the positive lead are going to be connected throughout the second portion. If the semiconductor is useful, the primary reading are going to be high and therefore the second are going to be low. Transistors have a tendency to prevent operating suddenly instead of bit by bit. it's sometimes more cost-effective to switch a faulty semiconductor than to switch the card itself.