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I am using:

  • ATtiny10 w/ 10Ohm Resistor in series to drive Base of transistor
  • Transistor is ZTX688B
  • Vcc is 5V and 3A source
  • Load is a Raspberry Pi connected to Collector

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

The ATtiny is programmed to turn on the Base for 10 seconds and then turn it off for 5 seconds. When I run the circuit it turns on briefly but only manages to 100-200mA (not enough to fully turn on the Pi. How can I make this work? The transistor is rated to handle 3A and up to 12V.

NOTE: I am also open to suggestions of replacing parts. I just need to control the Pis power supply with a MCU.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Where did you get the ZTX688B from? \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    May 3, 2019 at 18:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ It is from Mouser. I added a hyperlink to the datasheet \$\endgroup\$
    – SChand
    May 3, 2019 at 19:03
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    \$\begingroup\$ Are you sure PB0 is set to be a push-pull output? That's a plausible current from the pullup resistor given the very high hFE of that part. \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    May 3, 2019 at 19:16
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    \$\begingroup\$ @SChand I'm just worried that you plan to use a part with the expectation that it can handle \$3\:\text{A}\$, continuously, when the specifications specifically say that the testing is done with a duty cycle of 2% (you want 100%, I think) and for a very short pulse width. Not to mention that they brag about a high \$\beta\$ but you can't use that value for considering the base current you will need. That TO-92 cannot handle much continuous dissipation. I am not sure you realize the implications. But maybe I don't know your use well. So it could go either way. I am just worried. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    May 3, 2019 at 22:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ @SChand NFETs are recommended largely because the current you want is a kind of sweet spot for NFETs. At those currents, a BJT needs a lot of recombination current to act as a switch. You can do that with a couple of BJTs and some resistors. But usually people prefer to just go with the NFET. Me? NFETs are >10X the cost of the BJTs I buy (often 100X.) And I have a lot more of them floating around here. So I usually make the BJT work, anyway. But you may want to consider an NFET for this (trivial to use, so it's not even worth writing about it.) If you want a BJT design, I'll offer one. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    May 3, 2019 at 22:30

1 Answer 1

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From your schematic, the current flowing from PB0 to T1's base-emitter junction is \$I_B = (5V - 0.6V) / 10\Omega = 440mA\$, which is extremely high for a MCU-pin's drive capability. Thus PB0 may limit the output (I'm not sure, but I hope).

To saturate the transistor, a base current of \$I_{Bs} = \frac{I_C}{ (\beta_{min}/10)}\$ is sufficient (I cannot prove this, but this comes from my experiences). From your circuit, this base current is 3000mA / (400/10) = 75mA, which is still extremely high for MCU's port/pin.

The most efficient way is to use an N-Channel MOSFET (with logic-level gate) instead.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ +1 for MOSFET better here. Lots of info around like bildr.org/2012/03/rfp30n06le-arduino. \$\endgroup\$
    – bigjosh
    May 3, 2019 at 19:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ "... 440mA , which is extremely high for a MCU-pin's drive capability." - It's definitely outside the attiny10's absolute maximum rating of 40mA. Although attiny I/O pins are in my experience relatively forgiving for such abuse, it's not impossible he killed the pin. \$\endgroup\$
    – marcelm
    May 3, 2019 at 20:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ Even if the micro could supply that much, it would have to come from the micro's power supply, which may not be sufficient. The OP needs a Darlington pair, a super beta transistor, or a logic-level FET designed for the operating voltage of the microprocessor. \$\endgroup\$
    – TimWescott
    May 3, 2019 at 20:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ Would I be able to use a 2nd Transistor driven by the ATtiny PB0 to provide the adequate current for the B gate? I hope that makes sense \$\endgroup\$
    – SChand
    May 3, 2019 at 21:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ @SChand I would never use BJTs for switching such high currents. Why not use a MOSFET instead? For example, 2N7000 can be a direct replacement to ZTX688B. It's a very common, easy to find and cheap MOSFET. \$\endgroup\$
    – Rohat Kılıç
    May 5, 2019 at 19:06

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