TRANSISTOR CODE

Interpret the code in the transistors and help us find a substitute.

Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, it is no longer a problem to find the features and
electrical applications of any transistor.

But I bet few know that the alphanumeric codes contained in them were
created so that we can all identify the type and basic application of each transistor, and
to be able to find a substitute.

Something similar to the codes used in other components like capacitors.

But in a more general way.

The codes in transistors do mention their characteristics and basic applications.

And three standards are applied that you will learn to identify and interpret here.

Well, it will no longer be a mystery to understand that code in the transistors!

Before: Transistors were manufactured only in three areas:

United States, Europe, and Japan. So each region decided to create its own code for
identify them and that are currently still in force.

Thus forming the incredible world of variants that we know with these components.

But also: nowadays, China and other places in the East manufacture most of these
electronic components, so modern transistor manufacturers, such as the brand
IR (Mosfet manufacturer) has chosen to stop using these standards and use codes.
own, which almost always carry the initials of their brand. Is it for pure ego?

They call it 'marketing'.

Let's explore this later.

Because first we are going to start with what's important...

The 3 official global standards for reading and interpreting transistor codes.

1st Code: Used by transistors manufactured or designed in the United States and its
nearby areas. Commonly known as JEDEC: 'Joint Electron Device Engineering
Council.

Typical 2NXXXX transistor with American JEDEC code.

The reading of the code is done from left to right.

The transistor is initially assigned the nomenclature: 2N. (From English 2 Nodes or "Two.
unions)

After these two digits (2N), a serial number is assigned that is situated between 100 and
the 9999 and it does not say anything about the transistor, except for its approximate date of introduction.

At the end of these numbers and optionally, a letter (suffix) is assigned.

This indicates the generic gain (hfe) of the component:

A = low profit
B = average profit

C = high profit

Without lyrics = any profit

Example: 2N2222A, 2N904

As you may notice, the United States didn't put in much effort or didn't want to.
make life complicated, regarding the assignment of codes for their transistors.

As a curious fact:

This simple pattern was also applied to other semiconductors that he manufactured, where the
the first digit is always one unit less than the number of pins: 1N for diodes
to have 2 pins (1 Node), 2N for transistors for having 3 pins (our
case), 4N and 5N are reserved for optocouplers.

1N is assigned to a diode because it is always one unit less than the number of pins.
what it has.

2nd Code: Used by transistors manufactured or designed in the European Union.

Commonly known as: 'Pro-electron' group that is part of the EECA (European
Electronic Component Manufacturers Association.
 Transistor BCXXXX corresponding to the European code Pro-electron

Assign to the transistor the following nomenclature read from left to right:

First two letters at the beginning always:

The first letter identifies the material from which the transistor is made:

A: Germanium

Silicon

C: Indium Antimonide or Gallium Arsenate.

Composite materials

The second letter that identifies the type of application for which the transistor was designed:

C= Low power and low frequency, used in the audio band.

D= Medium and high power and low frequency, used in the audio band

Low power and high frequency, used in selectors, mixers, IF, etc.

High power and high frequency, used in selectors, mixers, IF, etc.

Low power used in switching circuits.

U = High power, used in switching circuits.

Example: BCXXXX.
After the first two letters, a serial number is assigned. It is made up of three
figures for semiconductor devices designed for application in consumer devices
domestic.

Example: BC548

Or a letter and two digits for the semiconductor devices designed for equipment
professionals. This third letter is usually a W, X, Y or Z.

Example: BFY51

At the end of these numbers and optionally, a letter (suffix) is assigned. This indicates the
generic gain (hfe) of the component:

A = low profit

B = average profit

C = high profit

Without Letter = any profit.

Example of European code interpretation for the transistor: BC548A:

Where:

Silicon Transistor.

C: Designed for low power and low frequency application.

Unique manufacturer assignment to identify electrical characteristics.

A: Transistor with low gain (Hfe)

This European nomenclature is much more accurate than the American one, as it not only
it allows to identify a certain type of semiconductor, but also, through it
part of its characteristics are deduced.

3rd. Code: Used by transistors manufactured or designed in Japan. Known

commonly known as: 'JIS': Japanese Industrial Standard.
 Typical transistor 2SCXXXX, assigned this way by the Japanese standard 'JIS'.

It's simpler than in Europe, but not as simple as the North American.

Assign to the transistor the following nomenclature read from left to right:

Starting your code with: 2S. (Two unions again, like the Americans)

Example: 2SXXXXX

The third letter, after the numerical digits, specifies its polarity and application:

A= high frequency PNP.

B= low frequency PNP.

C= high frequency NPN.

D = low frequency NPN

J= P-channel FET/MOSFET

K=N-channel FET/MOSFET

H=UJT

Example: 2SDXXXX

After these three digits (2SX), a serial number is assigned that is situated between 100 and
the 9999.

Example: 2SD3832x
At the end of these numbers, and optionally, a letter (suffix) is assigned; it indicates that the of
The transistor is approved for use by several Japanese organizations.

Example: 2SD3832D

Now we are going to carry out a complete exercise on the interpretation of a transistor with code.
European

2SD3832D

Where:

2S: Indicates that it is a transistor with Japanese code.

D: Indicates that the transistor is of the NPN type for high frequency.

3832: Unique manufacturer assignment to identify electrical characteristics.

D: approved for general use. (Optional)

SOMETHING IMPORTANT:

Regarding the transistor code used by Japan:

From the beginning, the code has started with 2S, but this is omitted in almost all.
the components, leaving only the third digit.

For example: a 2SC3832 can simply be marked as: C3832.

Transistor with Japanese identification code that corresponds to the 2SB1011. But that in
the form itself only shows the code starting with the 3rd digit: B1011
 Interpretation of other codes found in transistors.

Transistors with an encoding assigned by their manufacturer that does not fall into any
previously mentioned standard.

Apart from the three types mentioned earlier, recently manufacturers almost always
they introduce their own types, for commercial reasons (to put their name in the code,
for example) or to emphasize that the range belongs to a specialized application.

The most common prefixes are:

MJ: Motorola power, metal encapsulated

MJE: Motorola power, plastic encapsulated

MPS: Motorola low power, plastic casing

MRF: Motorola HF, VHF and microwave transistors

RCA: RCA

RCS: RCS

IRF: IRF semiconductors.

TIP: Texas Instruments power transistor, in plastic packaging.

TIPL: flat power transistor

TIS: Small signal TI transistor with plastic packaging.

ZT: Ferranti

ZTX: Ferranti

Examples:

ZTX302, TIP31A, MJE3055, TIS43, MJE13007, IRFIB7N50

And lastly... The most frustrating thing:

Many manufacturers also produce special series of transistors, custom-designed.

for a large volume intended for specific clients and applications. "a unique line".
They usually wear the producer's label and an unrecognizable number.

A transistor, thyristor or an array of diodes that has an unrecognizable code. It was

designed for a power control circuit.

Sometimes when the company that produces them goes bankrupt or ends production, they are released from
these transistors, which end up in surprise bags (greetings to steren) or offer for
fans.

There is no way to recognize these devices, so they can only be used as

LED drivers, buffers, etc. where the current parameter is not important.
Be careful when buying similar packages.

Great! Now you know how to interpret the codes on transistors.

And although in the case of the North American code transistors, where we only have left the
condemnation for seeking your data sheet.

With the references that you can now identify thanks to this guide in its nomenclature, you will be able to
to know and more easily find a substitute for almost all transistors just by looking at their
code.

For example:

If you need a replacement for a BCXXXX transistor (European code), you know that
any 2SCXXXX (Japanese) will be a similar equivalent. You would only need to compare their
Electrical characteristics (BC548C is equivalent to 2SC2474).