PCB Components - Transistors

A transistor is an electronic device made from a semiconductor material, typically silicon, that can amplify or switch electronic signals. It is considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century and has revolutionized the field of electronics.

Transistors come in different types, but the most common type is the bipolar junction transistor (BJT). It has three terminals, called the emitter, base, and collector, and can be used to amplify or switch electrical signals.

In an amplifying circuit, a small signal is applied to the base terminal, which controls the flow of current between the emitter and collector terminals. By adjusting the voltage at the base, the current flowing through the transistor can be increased or decreased, amplifying the input signal.