I'd like to know if anyone knows where i can get a guide, pdf or book, of transistors and their complements. Im tired of searching datasheets that often don't give the no of the the complement. Any help appreciated.
Often there is no complement. Of course for low level, you can get die-matched pairs from TI and That.
But, yea a pain. I wish there was just a list of the most common and "useable" for audio transistors.
But, yea a pain. I wish there was just a list of the most common and "useable" for audio transistors.
As any consolation the list gets smaller every day.
Find list of old discontinued parts is difficult but can be found in the original manufacturers data books and data sheets. Look for old selector guides from Sanyo, Toshiba, neck etc. These days you go to the manufacturers web site, use the parametric search engine. There are very few left.
The Japanese manufactures did a much better job of documenting comp pairs, find a old Toshiba semi data manual if you can
Find list of old discontinued parts is difficult but can be found in the original manufacturers data books and data sheets. Look for old selector guides from Sanyo, Toshiba, neck etc. These days you go to the manufacturers web site, use the parametric search engine. There are very few left.
The Japanese manufactures did a much better job of documenting comp pairs, find a old Toshiba semi data manual if you can
Last edited:
MOSFET transistors illustrate the fact that "complimentary transistors" are rarely a very accurate match. The P-channel device is always several times the on-resistance and much larger gate capacitance, requiring very different gate stopper resistors. So, "complimentary pairs" are mostly about marketing. I think it was QSC that used PNP quasi outputs because the PNPs were a much bigger and more robust chip, ignoring their role as the compliment to the original NPN transistor. I have seen amps where the NPN and PNP came in different packages. Data sheets for complimentary types always have different graphs for the two parts.
So, buying parts that are marketed as complimentary pairs may save some design time selecting parts, but it unlikely to result in a better amplifier than simply selecting the best individual parts, cost and performance, available from multiple sources.
So, buying parts that are marketed as complimentary pairs may save some design time selecting parts, but it unlikely to result in a better amplifier than simply selecting the best individual parts, cost and performance, available from multiple sources.
Just about all the Japanese semi producers made a clear point of showing their nominated complements on either P or N type datasheet. That's quite a different and more helpful approach to the anonymity of a universal 2N.... serial number. As per the selection problems mentioned above by stevu, the ultimate choice (if there actually was one) should probably be in the hands of engineers but this is DIY and few here would be up to that task.
https://sciencing.com/transistor-number-8759264.html. Honestly, I think Motorola, Prolectron, JIS and others all had better and more useful numbering systems that at least hinted at suitable complements.
https://sciencing.com/transistor-number-8759264.html. Honestly, I think Motorola, Prolectron, JIS and others all had better and more useful numbering systems that at least hinted at suitable complements.
Last edited:
Motorola Transistor Data (1992). In the first pages, it shows also equivalents from other manufacturers: https://www.updatemydynaco.com/HistoricDocuments/PowerTransistorCrossReference.pdf
Please, save it before it disappears from the web.
There was also the Toshiba Databook from 1983 available on line, but now gone, maybe someone has it saved.
Last edited:
That's good! They are still online.
Found also for the small-signal transistors: https://www.rsp-italy.it/Electronic...ents/Toshiba Small Signal Transistor 1983.pdf
Here's a helpful reference for audio transistors; http://users.tpg.com.au/gerskine/greg/PNP Small Signal Transistors.htm