University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2014

LAB 5: TRANSISTORS AS SWITCH

Name : Date :
Regd-No :
OBJECTIVES:
 To understand the working of transistors as a switch
 To control a relay using a transistor

SUGGESTED READING:
 Class Lectures 11, 12
 Chapter 7: “Bipolar Junction Transistors”, introductory Electronic Devices and
Circuits by Robert T. Paynter.
 Datasheet : 122 NPN Bipolar Darlington Transistor
 Datasheet : 127 PNP Bipolar Darlington Transistor
 Datasheet: 2N3904 NPN bipolar Junction Transistor
 http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transistor/tran_4.html
 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electronic/transwitch.html
 http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_4/2.html

Please read through all the suggested reading before you come to lab.

EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS:

 Basic Circuits Training Board
 TIP127 PNP Transistor
 2N3904 Transistor
 12V Relay
 Jumper Wires
 Palm Scope / DMM
 Resistors
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MCT-137: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T
Lahore LAB 5
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2014

Transistors as a Switch:
Transistors can be used as discrete switches. During the operation of the
transistors as switches, they operate between two sates:
1. Cut-off state
2. Saturation state
Transistors can be thought of as controlled switches (unlike diodes, which can be
regarded as uncontrolled switches), because the turning OFF and ON of BJT
transistors is accomplished by applying a base current to drive it into saturation
region. In saturation state, the transistor has minimum resistance, and can ideally
be thought of as a short-circuit path (or a closed switch).
In cut-off state, the transistors can be thought of a very high resistance path
(ideally, infinite), which can be thought of as an open circuit path (or an open
switch).

Fig 6.1: Transistor behavior as a switch

To drive the transistor into saturation, usually an excessive base current is used to
ensure that the transistor goes into saturation. The ratio of that excessive base
current to the minimum base current required for saturation is known as the ‘over
drive factor’.
Ic (excess)
¿ drive factor=
Ic( sat)
TASK 1: Connect the circuit as shown. Use a push-button
to turn the LED on and off using a transistor.

Q: what happens when the button is pressed?

Fig 6.2: BJT as a switch

MCT-137: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T
Lahore LAB 5
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2014
Q: What is the function of the resistance R3?

Relays:
Relays are electromechanical switches. Most relays use electromagnets to
operate the mechanical switch. Most relays
have two types of contacts:
1. Normally open
2. Normally closed
These contacts are operated by
electromagnets. The problem with operating
relays is that they have to be operated by
using some isolation (using transistors or
similar elements) because of high current Fig 6.3: Inter relay elements
demands of the relay coil.
TASK 2: Use the transistor as a switch to
control the relay. Study the operation of the
relay when the push button is pressed.

 Use the normally open and normally

closed contacts of the relay to operate
an LED when the push button is
pressed.

Fig 6.4: Controlling relays with NPN transistor

MCT-137: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T
Lahore LAB 5
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2014

Fig 6.5: Controlling relays with PNP transistor

REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Q: What would happen to the circuit in Fig 9.1, if
the base of the transistor is connected to a signal
generator (Fig 9.6)?
Ans:

Fig 6.6: Transistor and signal generator

Q: What is the function of the protection diode connected with the relay coil?
Ans:

MCT-137: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T
Lahore LAB 5
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2014
Q: What advantage does a transistor give over the relay as a switch?
Ans:

Bonus Question: Implement the circuit in Proteus® and attach the circuit.

COMMENTS:
P.S: Comments are logical observations and findings that you learned during your
practical.

MCT-137: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

5
Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T
Lahore LAB 5