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Context: assembling coursework for a beginning electronics class.

There are various kinds of transistors commonly used in electronics circuits. What kinds of transistors would be useful to include in a class for beginners?

The educational objective is to demonstrate:

  • common uses of transistors
  • what all transistors have in common
  • how the various types of transistors differ

This is not a shopping question, but if you have a concrete model number that might be useful.

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    \$\begingroup\$ related (I'd say duplicate): electronics.stackexchange.com/q/37242/7036 \$\endgroup\$
    – Nick Alexeev
    Commented Sep 1, 2014 at 22:06
  • \$\begingroup\$ Do you mean both MOSFETs and Bipolar Junction Transistors, at signal (e.g. 100mA-ish) and power (at least a couple of Amps), in PNP/NPN, P-MOS/N-MOS, all in through hole for breadboard? Interested in packaged transistors (e.g. 8-way in an IC). Darlington Pair? \$\endgroup\$
    – gbulmer
    Commented Sep 1, 2014 at 22:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ For small bipolars I keep as "Jellybean" transistors BC337/BC327 (through hole) or BC817/BC807 (SMD) with the -40 suffix in all cases. USAians may be heard to complain that these are "European" numbers but they are available EVERYWHERE, are cheap, high current for their package (500 mA +) OK Voltage (30V+) and high current gain (-40 = Beta = 250 - 600) and they are about as cheap as anything else in modest volume from sensible suppliers. In China completely equivalent (Motorola designed) LBC807-40 etc are very cheap . | (<= $US0.01 in 1k) | For small MOSFETS .... later \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Commented Sep 1, 2014 at 22:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ sorry guys, there's (i think) a good question hiding in here, but I've botched it up. I'll reask, trying to get the emphasis on the educational "compare and contrast" aspect. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mark Harrison
    Commented Sep 4, 2014 at 0:22
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    \$\begingroup\$ BJT's, MOSFETs, and JFETs. \$\endgroup\$
    – The Photon
    Commented Sep 4, 2014 at 0:58

2 Answers 2

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Most of the following are fairly-generic common transistors that have been around for a reasonably long time and likely to be around for quite a while longer. Most are available from popular distributors and cheap from Asia.

BJT Complementary Pair (NPN/PNP):

  • SS8050DBU / SS8550DBU : TO92, Ic = 1.5A, Vceo = 25V, "high" current for TO92.
  • 2N3904 / 2N3906 : TO92, Ic = 0.2A, Vceo = 40V, cheap for low current needs.
  • 2N4401 / 2N4403 : TO92, Ic = 0.6A, Vceo = 40V, some brands with Ic near SS8050DBU.
  • 2N5401 / 2N5551 : TO92, Ic = 0.6A, Vceo = 150V, "higher" voltage.
  • MPSA42 / MPSA92 : TO92, Ic = 0.5A, Vceo = 300V, "high" voltage.
  • TIP2955/ TIP3055 : TO247, Ic = 15A, Vceo = 60V, common in older audio power amplifiers.

MOSFET:

  • 2N7000 or 2N7002 : TO92 / SOT23, 0.2A, 60V, cheap for low current needs.
  • BS170 : TO92, 0.5A, 60V, cheap-ish but supports more current than 2N7000.
  • BSS138 : SOT23, 0.2A, 50V, Vgs(th) of 1.3V, common for cheap voltage-level translation, especially I2C.
  • IRFB7546PbF : TO220, 75A, 60V, 6mOhm, $0.53 at Q10 from Mouser on 2014sep01, ability to switch lots of current for low price.
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    \$\begingroup\$ As I mentioned, it's for someone who will be receiving a "beginning electronics" kit, most likely with an Arduino. As to the other questions (switching/audio, etc) that's one of the things I'm interested in finding an answer to, so some note as to what each of these might be used for (in a beginner's kit, remember) would be useful information. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mark Harrison
    Commented Sep 2, 2014 at 6:14
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    \$\begingroup\$ Decent list. (+1) I might suggest TIP31C/ TIP32C as medium power NPN/PNP in TO-220 pack. \$\endgroup\$
    – George Herold
    Commented Sep 2, 2014 at 13:22
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Logic level MOSFETs like the IRF510 will help with getting the point across with a 5v gate. They can be used with the Arduino, or any other uC with a 5v output, without needing more than a gate resistor. Very easy to use and breadboard friendly (TO220 package), available at many retail stores, like Radio Shack here in the US, and easy enough to attach a heat sink which I consider a must for teaching. The datasheet is well rounded with sample circuits and data-a-plenty for getting the info across to students that have different learning "styles". Datasheet for IRF510

EDIT:

I'm sure you will want to teach the difference between N and P channel transistors, so here is the P channel equivalent MOSFET for the IRF510. It is the IRF9510. Datasheet for the IRF9510

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