# How is voltage split between load resistor and C -> E on transistor?

I am confused by the voltage reading in this simulation as VCE reads as 907V which means almost the entire voltage is dropped over the VCE at the transistor. I assumed that the VCE should be a fixed voltage and the rest should be dropped over the resistor. When I play with different values, then sometimes this is the case and sometimes not. But it seem unpredictable.

• I assumed that the VCE should be a fixed voltage and the rest should be dropped over the resistor - that was your error. Go study BJTs is my advice. – Andy aka Feb 17 at 15:13
• How is the voltage split determined? By the collector current. – Brian Drummond Feb 17 at 16:12

If the transistor is in saturation mode, then you can assume (very roughly) that the $$\V_{ce}\$$ is something like 0.2 V, and the rest of the drop is across the load.
If the transistor is in forward active mode, then the current into the collector is effectively fixed (at $$\\beta I_b\$$, that is, a fixed multiple of the base current). Then the drop across the load is whatever it drops due to that current ($$\(1\ k\Omega)(97\ mA)\$$ in your example), and the remaining drop is across the transistor.