Identifying Transistors

foozertone · July 31, 2007, 03:45:01 PM

I just recieved my parts for my first few projects from Small Bear and I've run into a problem identifying some of the parts. I have 2 each of 5088 and 5089 and i can't tell which is which. Is there a reading i can make or something? Please help

Thanks

Jeff

killerkev · July 31, 2007, 03:50:00 PM

Normally, they're stamped with the numbers on them...usually the flat part of the transistor. It would be nice if Steve wrote something on those plastic bags right? If you have a multimeter that can measure hfe, 2N5088 are around 400-500 hfe and 2N5089 are higher like 800 - 900.

demonstar · July 31, 2007, 03:57:22 PM

I'm not wanting to side-track the thread but I'm supprised they're not labelled at least on the pack. I bought a batch of stuff from farnell and they were great. Every pack came with a label on it telling you the basic specs of the item.

foozertone · July 31, 2007, 04:37:54 PM

It would be nice if he wrote something but at least he puts em in those great little bags. I think I can read them though I don't have my meter handy. I will though. I tried to read the markings but even with my cheap magnifying glass I can"t. Thanks so much for your help.

Jeff

foozertone · July 31, 2007, 07:45:54 PM

I need more help on this. I tried the tutorial at http://www.geocities.com/jrtookmyfalseteeth/mystqs.html but I couldn't follow it. Maybe I'm a little slow. My meter has a transistor settting and from one I read .09 and the other reads.10. Does that help anyone? I'm trying

thanks

Jeff

hellwood · August 01, 2007, 11:06:46 PM

Quote from: foozertone on July 31, 2007, 07:45:54 PM
I need more help on this. I tried the tutorial at http://www.geocities.com/jrtookmyfalseteeth/mystqs.html but I couldn't follow it. Maybe I'm a little slow. My meter has a transistor settting and from one I read .09 and the other reads.10. Does that help anyone? I'm trying

thanks

Jeff

read this
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

smallbearelec · August 01, 2007, 11:16:06 PM

2N5088 and 5089 have numbers marked on the flat, though you may need a magnifier to make them out. You may also have to hold them at an angle to the light, as the print is sometimes not very contrasty.

Unfortunately, we can't afford the level of automation that would allow us to mark every jewel bag, and doing it by hand is not economically feasible.

We don't like having unhappy customers; if you really can't make out the numbers at all, write to us at the smallbearelec address and we'll send you a couple in marked bags.

foozertone · August 02, 2007, 01:39:55 AM

Is it really that big of a deal if I can't tell them apart? I guess I can just stick one in and see what happens right? I do have two of each and I think I only need one of each for the projects I'm workinmg on. I'm certainly not an unhappy customer.

Thanks

Jeff

Toney · August 02, 2007, 01:47:38 AM

No offence but hows the eyesight?
They are printed on the front, flat face.
Sometimes moving them around in different light conditions reveals the print.
A magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe can be good too.

Yep, just wack 'em in and swap to taste. Nothing is likely to explode

hellwood · August 02, 2007, 02:09:03 AM

ask a near sighted friend to take a look for you. schematics call for particular transistors for the resistors they recommend for optimum biasing. so...just plugging in one and then the other to see which sounds better isnt necessarily a fair way to audition both transistors. that would be assuming they both properly bias w/ that same resistor.

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Identifying Transistors