Data Sheets?? Where to Go?

[Leftrights]

Where do you guys get your data sheets from.

I saw one place that was recommended in the FAQ at one of the sights, somewhere, but they want my money now to see their goods... and I ain't got no money.

[ExpAnonColin]

I highly recommend GOOGLE!  Very very common to get your sheet from there.  There really is no source to end all sources for all chips, but with google, you can find a variety of smaller sources that will probably get you what you're looking for.

-Colin

[Kilby]

Try //www.farnell.co.uk as they have datasheet for almost everything that they sell (thats where I shop).

The data sheets ar easy to find via google but I'm too lazy to search.

Rob...

[Zero the hero]

I agree with anonymousexperimentalist, but if you cannot find the datasheet you're looking for with google, try different search engines such as www.alltheweb.com , altavista, hotbot, lycos and so on.

[Mark Hammer]

There are many ways to get datasheets.

First, the companies that produce the components want potential buyers to know about them so the manufacturers are the best source.

Second, since manufacturers will discontinue products, they sometimes do and sometimes don't  keep datasheets for components posted.  Fortunately, there are plenty of sites that archive datasheets.  I'm constantly surprised by how many universities and colleges maintain an archive of datasheets for common components for their EE students.

Which brings us to how to locate them.  I find the best strategy is to enter the part number (without suffixes) and "pdf" into your favourite search engine.  I have yet to find a datasheet that is NOT configured as a pdf file.  So, if you were interested in a 3080 transconductance amp to build a VCA or phaser or filter or compressor, you'd enter "CA3080 pdf" or "LM3080 pdf".  If something pops up that has a manufacturer's name as the root of the URL, you've generally hit paydirt.  

I recommend using the prefix, since part numbers without one will often generate a ridiculous number of hits for things like course listings, inventory numbers, etc.  I'd recommend against using a suffix because datasheets are usually for the generic item and other information about variations (plastic case, metal can, SIP, smd, mil spec, high gain, low noise, etc) is often found in the same overall datasheet.  As well, note that info for transistors often contains a numeric series.  For instance, the Philips datasheet for the BC109 transistor is the same sheet for the BC107/108/109.

[humbuck]

Try Maplin: http://www.maplin.co.uk They are quite good for data sheets. They are also where I buy my parts.

Humbuck.

[Luke]

Hello,
I can find datasheet I need throug Google, although, as an Australian, I use the semi conductor info at Jaycarf as well (www.jaycar.com.au)
they have datasheets for most every transitor they stock.
Hope this is a help,
Cheers,
Luke