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determining diodes/transistors for project

Alright... any help would be GLADLY appreciated... I'm trying to figure
out how to decide what diodes and transistors to use in projects...
what factors do I need to look at to make these decisions. thanks
 
J

John G

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alright... any help would be GLADLY appreciated... I'm trying to
figure
out how to decide what diodes and transistors to use in projects...
what factors do I need to look at to make these decisions. thanks


The quick answer is ... Electronics 101 starts at you nearest teaching
institution next year.

You have to understand a lot of electronics to pick the devices you need
so before that you will have to rely on circuits designed by people with
the required experience.
 
A

Andrew Holme

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alright... any help would be GLADLY appreciated... I'm trying to figure
out how to decide what diodes and transistors to use in projects...
what factors do I need to look at to make these decisions. thanks

Just a few:

Speed
Junction capacitance
Gain
Power dissipation capability
Current handling capacity
Junction breakdown voltages
Physical size
Price / availability

Some are more important than others - depending on the application.
 
B

Bob Masta

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alright... any help would be GLADLY appreciated... I'm trying to figure
out how to decide what diodes and transistors to use in projects...
what factors do I need to look at to make these decisions. thanks

You can probably get by with a surprisingly small number of
different types that you can keep on hand for "general purpose"
applications. For example, 2N3904 and 2N3906 transistors
for small-signal applications, 1N914 signal diodes, 1N4001-1N4004
(last digit is for voltage range) small rectifiers. I expect others
on this list will have their own personal favorites, but these will
go a long way to getting you started. When you see a circuit
design that does something "exotic" (like RF or high power),
you can observe what devices are used for such purposes,
and just go out and get those exact parts until you have
enough experience to judge for yourself.


Best regards.


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
Home of DaqGen, the FREEWARE signal generator
 
T

The_Truth

Jan 1, 1970
0
John said:
The quick answer is ... Electronics 101 starts at you nearest teaching
institution next year.

You have to understand a lot of electronics to pick the devices you need
so before that you will have to rely on circuits designed by people with
the required experience.

well, I plan on starting as of january... but electronics comes natural
to me... I just don't understand how to judge what needs to be used...
I mean... I know there are different types of transistors... switching,
amplification... etc... I just don't understand the difference in
operation well enough to decide "what" to use.
 
T

Tom MacIntyre

Jan 1, 1970
0
well, I plan on starting as of january... but electronics comes natural
to me...

How does electronics come "natural"?

Tom
 
T

The_Truth

Jan 1, 1970
0
because I've worked with electronics since I was 5... I have just
recently started trying to create circuits... ;-D
 
R

Rob B.

Jan 1, 1970
0
The_Truth said:
because I've worked with electronics since I was 5... I have just
recently started trying to create circuits... ;-D

and now that you have turned 6 ;)
you are ready for circuit design
 
T

Tom MacIntyre

Jan 1, 1970
0
because I've worked with electronics since I was 5... I have just
recently started trying to create circuits... ;-D

Well, I did, with my Dad for starters, and later on my own, since I
was a kid too, but when I studied for my EET there was nothing natural
about it - it was hard work.

Tom
 
T

The_Truth

Jan 1, 1970
0
Tom said:
Well, I did, with my Dad for starters, and later on my own, since I
was a kid too, but when I studied for my EET there was nothing natural
about it - it was hard work.

Tom

well... dad is an HVAC tech... so I know basics from him... but I'm
trying to get a head start on the college portion... (HVAC is a bit
different... you just "know" that the capacitor infront of you will get
you good... and if you don't... you will as soon as you touch it...:-D )
 
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