25-02-2017, 06:04 PM
The inner working of transistors and valves for this are best left to one side for now. We're focussing on the practical application, so you can understand the basic circuits that use transistors, and that's what I mean when I say that transistors seem easier than valves to me.
Testing transistors?
When you understand roughly how they work in a circuit, then yes, you can "test" them in circuit. But not with a tester. Rather, by examining the behaviour of the circuit and deciding if the transistor is doing the right thing. To comment further on your specific question, I'd want to know what the supply voltage was. Ideally, a copy of the circuit would be best. But soon, you'll be able to judge for yourself.
In the meantime, you usually need to remove the transistor. If you haven't already got one, the Chinese component testers do a pretty good job. This is the one I bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381351034073 - but note that this one requires assembly. Plenty of others ready-built at the same price point. Note that they can only do so much, so occasionally they catch you out.
To help you move to the next stage of analysing this circuit, I'll tell you that the emitter voltage is lower than the base voltage. By how much? Well, this is a number that is pretty much fixed - it's different for germanium and silicon, but pretty consistent for each type. It is a number that you encounter whenever you have a semiconductor PN junction. Remember (or discover) that number, and subtract it from 1.6V. It's that easy!
You're closer than you think
Testing transistors?
When you understand roughly how they work in a circuit, then yes, you can "test" them in circuit. But not with a tester. Rather, by examining the behaviour of the circuit and deciding if the transistor is doing the right thing. To comment further on your specific question, I'd want to know what the supply voltage was. Ideally, a copy of the circuit would be best. But soon, you'll be able to judge for yourself.
In the meantime, you usually need to remove the transistor. If you haven't already got one, the Chinese component testers do a pretty good job. This is the one I bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381351034073 - but note that this one requires assembly. Plenty of others ready-built at the same price point. Note that they can only do so much, so occasionally they catch you out.
To help you move to the next stage of analysing this circuit, I'll tell you that the emitter voltage is lower than the base voltage. By how much? Well, this is a number that is pretty much fixed - it's different for germanium and silicon, but pretty consistent for each type. It is a number that you encounter whenever you have a semiconductor PN junction. Remember (or discover) that number, and subtract it from 1.6V. It's that easy!
You're closer than you think
