2N3904 Transistor: Which Transistor Can Be Used In Place Of 2N3904?

2N3904, an NPN transistor, will have the collector and emitter open when the base pin is at the ground. The base pin will close when a signal has been provided. It has a gain of 300. This value is used to determine the transistor's amplification capability. This transistor can only allow 200mA of current to flow through the Collector pin. Therefore, loads that consume more than 200mA cannot be connected using it. The current required to bias a transistor must be limited to 5mA.

This transistor can allow a maximum of 200mA flow across the emitter and collector when it is fully biased. This stage is known as the Saturation Region. The typical voltage across the Collector-Base or Collector-Emitter could be 40V or 60V, respectively. This stage, which is where the transistor turns off completely due to the removal of the base current, is known as the Cut-off Region. The Base Emitter voltage can be approximately 600 mV.

Today, easybom will introduce the details about it. This article will be divided into below parts: 2N3904 Datasheet, 2N3904 Pinout, 2N3904 Transistor Pins, 2N3904 Equivalent, and so on.

Bi-Polar NPN Transistor

DC Current Gain (hFE): 300 maximum

Continuous Collector current (IC): 200mA

Base- Emitter Voltage (VBE) : 6V

Collector-Emitter Voltage (VCE): 40V

Collector-Base Voltage (VCB) : 60V

Available in To-92 Package

Below is the 2N3904 Pinout:

2N3904 Transistor Pins Description:

Pin 1 refers to Emitter where current drains out.

Pin 2 refers to Base which could control the biasing of the transistor 2N3904.

Pin 3 refers to Collector where current flows in.

2N3904 as Switch:

A transistor is used to operate as a switch in the Saturation and Cut-Off Regions, as described above. A transistor can act as an open switch during forwarding Bias or as a closed switching device during Reverse Bias. This biasing can be accomplished by providing the necessary current to the base pin. The maximum biasing current should not exceed 5mA, as mentioned. Any current greater than 5mA can cause the Transistor to fail. Therefore, a resistor should always be added in series with the base pin.

2N3904 as Amplifier:

When operating in Active Region, it acts as an amplifier. It can amplify power, voltage, and current in different configurations.

You could use BC549, BC636, BC639, 2N2222 TO-92, 2N2222 TO-18, 2N2369, 2N3055, 2N3906, 2SC5200 as 2N3904 equivalents. You could find them on easybom.

What is the difference between 2N3904 and 2N2222?

2N3904 can carry up to 200mA current from the emitter to the collector terminal. 2N2222 is capable of handling up to five times as much current. It can handle up to 1A of current from the collector to power a load.

What is a 2N3904 transistor used for?

The 2N3904 NPN transistor is a very popular and widely used NPN transistor. It can be used as an amplifier or simple electronic switch.

Can I use 2N3904 instead of BC547?

The collector current of 2N3904 is 200mA and BC547 is 100mA. You can replace 2N3904 with BC547 with a load of less than 100mA. However, BC547 cannot be used if the load exceeds 100mA.

Can I use BC547 instead of 2N2222?

Yes. You can use it. For switching, just look at the Collector Current or the Collector-Emitter Voltage datasheet.

Which transistor can be used in place of 2N3904?

Below is a list of popular transistors that can be used to replace 2N3904: P2N2222A, BC537, BC538, as well as 2N4401, respectively. BC547 and BC548 can be used as functionally equivalent transistors.

Is BC547 the same as 2N3904?

They differ in manufacturer, hFE, and datasheet parameters. Both of them are NPN bipolar junction transistors that are used in general-purpose, low-power switching or amplifying applications.

More relevant details about BC547 are here:

BC547 Transistor: Pinout, Basics, Applications

Driver Modules like Relay Driver, LED driver 

Amplifier modules like Audio amplifiers, signal Amplifier

VCB and VBE are high hence can be used to control voltage loads up to 40V

Commonly used in TV and other home appliances

Below is the picture of the 2D Model and Dimensions from the 2N3904 Datasheet will be useful to know the package type and dimensions.

Download the 2N3904 datasheet below:

https://pdf.easybom.com/r/datasheets/onsemiconductor-mmbt3904-datasheets-1082.pdf

ON Semiconductor

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In general, the 2N3904 transistor will have the collector and emitter open when the base pin is at the ground. The base pin will close when a signal has been provided. It has a gain of 300. This value is used to determine the transistor's amplification capability. Hope the above information could help you!