Difference Between an NPN and a PNP Transistor

Before we talk about the differences between NPN and PNP transistors, we will first discuss what they
are and their similarities.
Both NPN and PNP are bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). BJTs are current-controlled transistors that
allow for current amplification.
A current at the base of the transistor allows for a much larger current across the emitter and collector
leads. NPN and PNPs are exactly the same in their function, they provide amplification and/or
switching capability.
So technically, they achieve and do the same exact thing.
How they differ is how power must be allocated to the terminal pins for them to provide this
amplification or switching. Since they are internally constructed very differently, current and voltage
must be allocated differently in order for them to work. An NPN transistor receives positive voltage to
the collector terminal and positive voltage to the base terminal for proper operation. A PNP transistor
receives positive voltage to the emitter terminal and a negative voltage at the base terminal (or rather
a more negative or lower voltage than what is supplied at the emitter terminal).
Since voltage allocation is different, how current flow works to turn them on is different. An NPN
transistor is powered on when a sufficient current is supplied to the base of the transistor. Therefore,
the base of an NPN transistor must be connected to positive voltage for current to flow into the base .
A PNP transistor is the opposite. In a PNP transistor, current flows out of the base (negative current to
the base) by giving the base terminal a more negative (a lower) voltage than what is supplied to the
emitter terminal. As long as the voltage at the base terminal is lower than at the emitter terminal in a
PNP transistor, the correct biasing and negative current effect will be achieved.
So knowing this, with an NPN transistor, current needs to be sourced to the base of the transistor for
operation. This means current needs to flow into the base. In a PNP transistor, current is sourced
away or sinked from the base of the transistor to ground for operation. This means current needs to
flow out of the base. So a simple approach of thinking about it is an NPN transistor requires positive
current to the base, while a PNP requires negative current to the base (current must flow out from the
base to ground).

Another concept differentiating NPN and PNP transistors is that since voltage is allocated differently,
they have opposite current flows at the output. In an NPN transistor, output current flows from the
collector to the emitter. In a PNP transistor, output current flows from the emitter to the collector.
Below we go over the concepts explained above in more depth, with diagrams, to better illustrate the
differences between NPN and PNP transistors.

Voltage Allocation and Current Flow are Switched

Since PNP and NPN transistors are composed of different materials, how voltage is biased to them to
produce current flow is different, and their current flow is opposite as well.
PNP transistors are made up of 2 layers of P material sandwiching a layer of N material, while NPN
transistors are made up of 2 layers of N material sandwiching 1 layer of P material. Really opposites.
Therefore, to produce current flow in an NPN transistor, positive voltage is given to the collector
terminal and current flows from the collector to the emitter. For a PNP transistor, positive voltage is
given to the emitter terminal and current flows from the emitter to the collector.
This is summarized right below.

Voltage and Current Biasing

NPN Transistor

An NPN transistor receives positive voltage at the collector terminal. This positive voltage to the
collector allows current to flow across from the collector to emitter, given that there is a sufficient base
current to turn the transistor on.

PNP Transistor

A PNP transistor receives positive voltage at the emitter terminal. The positive voltage to the emitter
allows current to flow from the emitter to the collector, given that there is negative current to the base
(current flowing out of the base to ground).

How They Operate (Turn On and Off)

NPN Transistor

This is how a NPN transistor works:

As you increase current to the base of a NPN transistor, the transistor is turned on more and more
until it conducts fully from collector to emitter.
And as you decrease current to the base of a NPN transistor, the transistor turns on less and less,
until the current is so low, the transistor no longer conducts across collector to emitter, and shuts off.

PNP Transistor

A PNP transistor functions the total opposite way.

As current is sinked from the base (flows out from the base to ground), the transistor is on and
conducts across to power on the output load.
So these are the main concepts of NPN vs PNP transistors.

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How To Test a Transistor

How to Test a Transistor

In this article, we will go over different tests that we can use to determine whether a transistor is good
or not, all by utilizing the ohmmeter of a digital multimeter.
A transistor, internally, is basically a component made up of different diode junctions. NPN and PNP
Transistors are made up two pn junctions sandwiched together. These pn junctions are diodes.
Knowing that transistors are essentially diodes sandwiched together (placed back-to-back), we can
exploit this principle and test the leads of transistors as if they are separate diodes. If you want to
learn more about diode testing, check out how to test a diode.
To test a transistor, we measure one diode junction with the multimeter leads situated one way and
then we flip the leads of the multimeter to the reverse position, to switch polarity. One side of the
diode junction should read a very high resistance, above 1M of resistance (the anode-to-cathode
side) and the other side should read a much lower resistance, maybe of a few hundred thousand
ohms (the cathode-to-anode side). This we do for each junction.

So in total we'll have six readings, which are shown below:

1.

Emitter to base

2.

Base to emitter

3.

Emitter to collector

4.

Collector to emitter

5.

Collector to base

6.

Base to collector
Each pair should have one side with very high resistance (>1M), and the other side with a much
lower resistance of a few hundred thousand ohms.
If this is the case for all the transistor leads, the transistor is good. If not, the transistor is defective.

How to Connect a Transistor in a Circuit for Current Amplification

In this circuit, we will show how to connect a transistor in a circuit for current amplification.
Transistors are devices that can amplify a signal in a circuit. If a signal in a circuit is too weak, it may
not be enough to provide power to turn or or drive the load for a circuit. A transistor can provide
amplfication from anywhere to up to 10,000% gain so that it can boost a signal in a circuit up to a
desired level.
Say, we have a circuit in which we want to light an LED, but the current in the circuit is 40A, too small
to light an LED. If this is the current that we have flowing through the circuit, it's too small to do the
desired task, which is to light the LED. However, if we place a transistor in the circuit, which has a
gain of 100, the signal will be boosted from 40A to 40x100=4mA. This current will now be sufficient to
light our LED in the circuit. So transistor amplification has tremendous application when we need
signal gain.
Below is the schematic for the transistor. The transistor used is a bipolar NPN transistor.

This is can be seen as the more real life like model of the above schematic.

In this circuit, a small current travels from the voltage source of the circuit. This current is not large
enough to light the LED. If this circuit didn't have a transistor to amplify the current, the LED would not
light. However, with the transistor and the amplification it provides, the current is amplified large
enough to light the LED.
This is how it works:
-The small current travels from the voltage source into the base of the transistor. A small current at the
base turns on the transistor.
-The current is then amplified and travels from the emitter of the transistor to the collector. The
amplified current is large enough to turn on and light the LED.
-A separate power source must be connected to the collector of the transistor because a transistor is
an active device, which means it needs power in order to operate. Check the power requirements of
the transistor in use.
So now you know how to connect a bipolar NPN transistor for amplification.

How to Connect a Transistor as a Switch in a Circuit

In this article, we go over how to connect a transistor so that it will function as a switch in a circuit.
A transistor is a component that can play 2 vital roles. It can function as a switch and an amplifier.
Many times, it functions as both in a circuit.
Specifically, in this article, we will show how transistors can be used as switches.

Why Transistors Are Used as Switches

Before we go into how to wire it up, let's go over first why transistors are used in circuits as switches.
Think about it for a moment. There are tons of different switches.
There are pushbutton switches, rocker switches, slide switches, dip switches, key switches, toggle
switches, knife switches, that play the same function as a transistor. It switches a load on or off that is
connected to the output side of the switch
The below circuit uses a knife switch to turn the load, the lamp, on or off.

So why are transistors used so frequently as switches in circuits if these switches above have the
same use?
And the reason is that transistors are electrical switches. Unlike all the switches above, which are
mechanical switches, a transistor turns on or off by electrical current. Mechanical switches, such as
knife switches, pushbutton switches, need human intervention- someone to press them down and pull
them back up. Transistors, however, turn on and off, not by physical human intervention, but by
electrical current.
Both have their own uses. Mechanical switches are used mostly outside of electronic circuitry where it
is desired that humans control various functions such as an ON-OFF switch for turning on or off a
device, volume control, etc.
Transistors are used when we want to switch devices on or off when only current can the on-off state
of the transistor.
As a prime example of where transistors function perfectly as electrical switches, we will go through a
few example circuits below.

How to Connect a Transistor as a Switch in a Circuit

So now that we know the theory of why transistors are used as switches, let's go over how to connect
a transistor to function as a switch in a circuit.
A transistor is a 3-pin device composed of a base, collector, and emitter for bipolar junction transistors
(BJTs).
Below is the pinout of a BJT:

Looking at the back side of the transistor, the emitter is the first pin, the base is the middle, and the
collector is the third.
To connect the transistor as a switch in a circuit, we connect the output of the device that will switch
on the transistor to the base of the transistor. The emitter will connect to ground of the circuit. And the
collector will connect to the load that the transistor will turn on and the supply voltage of the circuit.
The setup to set the transistor up as a switch is shown in the diagram below:

The output of the device that outputs a current will be connected to the base of the transistor. The
load will be connected to the collector as well as the positive DC voltage for NPNs. The emitter will
connect to ground.

Below is an example of a transistor functioning as a switch in a circuit:

There are a few different parts in this circuit. But the part which detects the motion is the PIR motion
sensor. When motion is detected by this sensor, it converts this motion into an electrical current. Many
electronic devices do this. They convert mechanical into electrical current. The PIR motion sensor
does this. Once it detects motion, it outputs current to its outpin pin, which is pin 3. Since this output is
current, it can be used to turn on the transistor.
Since the PIR motion sensor outputs current and the transistor is a switch that turns on by electrical
current, it's a perfect switch that works complementary with the transistor. A mechanical switch is
when a human needs to press down to operate it. A transistor is when an electrical current switches
something on. So, again, transistors are used when we want electrical current to control the state of
switches in a circuit.
When the PIR sensor detects no motion, it outputs no current, so the transistor does not turn on.
When the transistor does not receive sufficient current at its base, no current can flow from emitter to
collector to power the load, which in this case is a motor.
Even though the collector of the transistor needs positive voltage (for an NPN transistor) in order to
operate, it will not turn on just because voltage is attached to it. This is because the transistor acts as
an open circuit when it does not receive sufficient base voltage. When a transistor acts an open
circuit, no current can flow down to ground. So the +9V of DC voltage that is supplied to the DC motor
has no electric potential. It is +9V positive across both terminals of the motor, so, again, there is no
electric potential. Only when the transistor turns on and current can flow down to ground is there an
established electric potential. This is now when current can flow. Current can only flow when there is
an electrical gradient of voltage.
When the motion detector detects motion, it outputs a current from its output pin to the base of the
transistor. This electrical current switches the transistor on, so the transistor can now power its load,
which is the motor.
In this circuit, the transistor acts as a switch and an amplifier. The same setup to set the transistor as
a switch is also to set it up as an amplifier.

If using a PNP transistor, negative voltage is supplied to the collector.

Transistors can be regarded as a type of switch, as can many electronic components. They are used in a
variety of circuits and you will find that it is rare that a circuit built in a school Technology Department
does not contain at least one transistor. They are central to electronics and there are two main types;
NPN and PNP. Most circuits tend to use NPN. There are hundreds of transistors which work at different
voltages but all of them fall into these two categories.

Transistors are manufactured in different shapes but they have three leads (legs).
The BASE - which is the lead responsible for activating the transistor.
The COLLECTOR - which is the positive lead.
The EMITTER - which is the negative lead.
The diagram below shows the symbol of an NPN transistor. They are not always set out as
shown in the diagrams to the left and right, although the tab on the type shown to the left is
usually next to the emitter.

The leads on a transistor may not always be in this arrangement. When buying a transistor, directions will
normally state clearly which lead is the BASE, EMITTER or COLLECTOR.

SIMPLE USE OF A TRANSISTOR

DIAGRAM 'A'

DIAGRAM 'B'

Diagram 'A' shows an NPN transistor which is often used as a type of switch. A small current or voltage
at the base allows a larger voltage to flow through the other two leads (from the collector to the emitter).
The circuit shown in diagram B is based on an NPN transistor. When the switch is pressed a current
passes through the resistor into the base of the transistor. The transistor then allows current to flow
from the +9 volts to the 0vs, and the lamp comes on.
The transistor has to receive a voltage at its base and until this happens the lamp does not light.
The resistor is present to protect the transistor as they can be damaged easily by too high a
voltage / current. Transistors are an essential component in many circuits and are sometimes
used to amplify a signal.

How to Identify NPN and PNP Transistor (BJT) using

Multimeter?

Identifying BJT Terminals:

We know that the Bipolar junction transistor has three terminals
namely
1.

Emitter (E)

2.

Base (B)

3.

Collector(C)

The transistors are available with various packages in the market.

Let us discuss about the TO-92 package.
Keep the transistor such that the flat surface facing towards you
as shown in the below figure:

Now starting from left, mark like 1,2 and 3.

They are respectively
1.

Emitter (E)

2.

Base (B)

3.

Collector(C)
The schematic symbol of the BJT is given below:

Identifying BJT Types:

Both NPN and PNP transistor looks similar in physical appearance.
We can not differentiate by seeing them. We need a multimeter to
identify the type of BJT.
Remember the following points:
1.

The transistor internally has two diodes (NPN N P N

NP Junction + PN Junction and PNP P N P PN Junction +
NP Junction).
ie,Emitter to base is one PN junction ( diode) and Base to
collector another PN junction (diode).

2.

In the diode mode, the multimeter will show the voltage

when we keep the positive probe of the multimeter to the
anode of the diode and negative probe to the cathode.

3.

If the multimeter positive probe is connected to the cathode

of the diode and the negative probe to the anode, then it will
not give any voltage (showing zero).

Steps to identify the NPN type transistor:

1.

Keep the Multimeter in the Diode mode.

2.

Keep the positive probe to the center pin (Base) of the

transistor.

3.

Touch the negative probe to the pin-1 (Emitter). You will see
some voltage in the multimeter.

4.

Similarly touch the negative probe to the pin-3 (collector)

with respect to the pin-2. You will see some voltage in the
multimeter.

5.

It will ensure that it is a NPN transistor. The logic behind this

is, in NPN transistor

Emitter (E) N type material Equivalent to cathode of the

diode
Base (B) P type material Equivalent to anode of the diode
Collector(C) N type material Equivalent to cathode of the
diode
6.

If the multimeter positive probe is connected to anode and

negative probe is connected to cathode, then it will show
voltage. If the connections are interchanged it will not show
any value.

Steps to identify the PNP type transistor:

1.

Keep the Multimeter in the Diode mode.

2.

Keep the positive probe to the pin-1 (Emitter) of the

transistor.

3.

Touch the negative probe to the center pin (Base). You will
see some voltage in the multimeter.

4.

Similarly touch the negative probe to the center pin (Base)

with respect to the pin-3 (collector). You will see some voltage
in the multimeter.

5.

It will ensure that it is a PNP transistor. The logic behind this

is, in PNP transistor
Emitter (E) P type material Equivalent to anode of the diode
Base (B) N type material Equivalent to cathode of the diode
Collector(C) P type material Equivalent to anode of the
diode

6.

If the multimeter positive probe is connected to anode and

negative probe is connected to cathode, then it will show
voltage. If the connections are interchanged it will not show
any value.

Determining Collector and Emitter Pins

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to reliably tell the difference between the two using a

conventional multimeter. Because both PN junctions are diodes with steep non-linear
current--voltage relationships, you cannot reliably test the "resistance" (which is not well
defined in this case) of each PN junction to determine which one is which. So you have
two options to disambiguate the collector and emitter:

If your multimeter does have a "diode test" function that gives you the
voltage drop across the forward-biased diode being tested, you can compare
the voltage drop across the two diode candidates. The one with the higher
voltage drop will correspond with the emitter of the transistor.
You can get more details about this diode-test procedure at:
Meter check of a transistor AllAboutCircuits.com

If you do not have a sophisticated multimeter, you will need a little extra
setup to determine which pin is the emitter and which pin is the collector.
You need to build a simple circuit to effectively test the "gain" of the BJT for
the two possibilities.
For example (in the NPN case), to determine which one is the collector and
which is the emitter, you can setup a simple degenerated common-emitter
circuit. You can follow these steps:
a. Connect one of the collector/emitter candidates to a 2kOhm resistor
that is connected to 5V on its other end. This pin is your "guess" at
which is the collector.
b. Connect the other collector/emitter candidates to a 2kOhm resistor
that is connected to 0V on its other end. This pin is your "guess" at
which is the emitter.
c. Connect the discovered base to a DC voltage source of 1V.
d. Measure the voltage across EACH of the two resistors. If they are
both approximately 0.3V (i.e., 1V minus a 0.7V diode drop), then you
guessed correctly. The emitter follows behind the base by 0.7V, and
the current through the emitter matches the current through the
collector, and so both resistors carry the same voltage drop. However,
if the resistor connected to 0V has a much larger drop across it, then
you guessed incorrectly and your transistor is "upside down."

B. Mengukur Transistor dengan Multimeter Digital

Pada umumnya, Multimeter Digital memiliki fungsi mengukur Dioda dan Resistansi (Ohm) dalam
Saklar yang sama. Maka untuk Multimeter Digital jenis ini, Pengujian Multimeter adalah terbalik
dengan Cara Menguji Transistor dengan Menggunakan Multimeter Analog.

Cara Mengukur Transistor PNP dengan Multimeter Digital

1. Atur Posisi Saklar pada Posisi Dioda

2. Hubungkan Probe Hitam pada Terminal Basis (B) dan Probe Merah pada
Terminal Emitor (E), Jika Display Multimeter menunjukan nilai Voltage tertentu,
berarti Transistor tersebut dalam kondisi baik
3. Pindahkan Probe Merah pada Terminal Kolektor (C), jika Display Multimeter
nilai Voltage tertentu, berarti Transistor tersebut dalam kondisi baik.
Cara Mengukur Transistor NPN dengan Multimeter Digital
1. Atur Posisi Saklar pada Posisi Dioda
2. Hubungkan Probe Merah pada Terminal Basis (B) dan Probe Hitam pada
Terminal Emitor (E), Jika Display Multimeter menunjukan nilai Voltage tertentu,
berarti Transistor tersebut dalam kondisi baik
3. Pindahkan Probe Hitam pada Terminal Kolektor (C), jika Display Multimeter
menunjukan nilai Voltage tertentu, berarti Transistor tersebut dalam kondisi
baik.
Catatan :
Jika Tata letak Probe dibalikan dari cara yang disebutkan diatas, maka Display Multimeter Digital
harus tidak akan menunjukan Nilai Voltage atau Open

1. Menentukan Kaki Basis, Sekaligus Menentukan Jenis Transistor

Untuk menentukan kaki basis kita harus tau karakter kaki basis ini, yaitu memiliki hubungan
fordward bias pada basis ke kolektor dan basis ke emitor serta refervse bias dari kolektor ke
basis dan emitor ke basis pada jenis transistor NPN dan kondis sebaliknya pada jenis PNP. Pada
tahap ini kita harus memisalkan kaki-kaki transistor tersebut dengan nama lain, sebagai contoh
kaki 1 kaki 2 dan kaki 3. Kemudian set multimeter ke Ohm meter x10 atau x100 kemudian kita
cari kaki basis dengan : Hubungkan probe merah ke salah satu kaki, misal kaki 1 kemudian probe
hitam dihubungkan ke kedua kaki yang lain, apabila multimeter memberikan nilai ukur resistansi
yang rendah (jarum bergerak lebar) pada keduanya maka kaki 1 adalah kaki basis untuk
transistor PNP. Dan NPN apabila probe pada posisi kaki 1 adalah probe hitam dengan hasil ukur
seperti sebelumnya. Jika hanya pada satu kaki 2 atau 3 saja yang bergerak kemungkinan basis
nya 2 atau 3. Ulangi, carilah konfigurasi sampai diketemukan jarum meter bergerak semua.
Pastikan basis sudah ketemu dan jenis transistor NPN atau PNP NPN : Kaki basis probe hitam,

kaki emitor dan kolektor probe merah maka jarum bergerak. kemudian bila dibalik kaki basis
probe merah, kaki emitor dan kolektor probe hitam jarum tidak bergerak. PNP: Kaki basis probe
merah, kaki emitor dan kolektor probe hitam maka jarum bergerak. kemudian bila dibalik kaki
basis probe hitam, kaki emitor dan kolektor probe merah jarum tidak bergerak.

2. Menentukan Kaki Kolektor Dan Emitor

Kaki basis sudah ditentukan kemudian kita dapat menetukan kaki kolektor dan emitor dengan konsep
transistor sebagai saklar. Untuk menentukan kaki kolektor dan emitor seting multmeter di pindah ke
Ohm meter x10KOhm, Kemudian lakukan teknik berikut. Misalnya transistor NPN. Hubungkan probe
hitam pada salah satu kaki selain basis dengan cara menempelkan probe bersama jari tangan kita
(probe dan kaki transistor dipegang jadi satu) Hubungkan probe merah pada kaki yang lain (juga
selain basis) dan jangan disentuh dengan jari tangan. Sentuh kaki basis dengan jari tangan. Jika
jarum meter tidak bergerak, balik posisinya ke kaki yang lain. Sentuh kembali kaki basis dengan jari
tangan. Jika jarum meter bergerak cukup lebar maka bisa dipastikan kaki yang dipegang bersama
probe hitam adalah kolektor, kaki yang lain (probe merah) adalah emitor Untuk transistor PNP
caranya sama cuma posisi probe merah dan probe hitam dibalik.

Untuk kaki emitor pada kemasan tertentu biasanya ditandai sirip pada kemasan transistor. Kemudian
tanda untuk kaki kolektor adalah huruf c, tanda titik bulat, titik kotak atau titik segitiga yang berada di
kemasan transistor.