Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1

Chapter 28. bipolar transistor

discrete semiconductor > multi-junction > bipolar transistor

The word transistor, on its own, is often used to mean bipolar transistor, as this was the type that became most widely used in the field of discrete semiconductors. However, bipolar transistor is the correct term. It is sometimes referred to as a bipolar junction transistor or BJT.

Other related components

• unijunction transistor (See Chapter 27)
• field-effect transistor (See Chapter 29)
• diac (Volume 2)
• triac (Volume 2)
• relay (Volume 2)
• solid-state relay (Volume 2)

What It Does

A bipolar transistor amplifies fluctuations in current or can be used to switch current on and off. In its amplifying mode, it replaced the vacuum tubes that were formerly used ...