2N2222
Encyclopedia
The 2N2222 is a common NPN bipolar junction transistor
used for general purpose low-power amplifying
or switching applications. It is designed for low to medium current
, low power
, medium voltage
, and can operate at moderately high speeds. It is made in the TO-18
metal can as shown in the picture. Replacements are commonly available now in the cheaper TO-92 packaging, where it is known as the PN2222 or P2N2222.
The 2N2222 is considered a very common transistor, and is used as an exemplar of an NPN transistor. It is frequently used as a small-signal transistor, It is a small general purpose transistor of enduring popularity.
The 2N2222 was part of a family of devices described by Motorola at a 1962 IRE
convention . Since then it has been made by many semiconductor companies, for example, Texas Instruments
.
registration of a device number ensures particular rated values will be met by all parts offered under that number. JEDEC registered parameters include outline dimensions, small-signal current gain
, transition frequency, maximum values for voltage withstand, current rating, power dissipation and temperature rating, and others, measured under standard test conditions. Other part numbers will have different parameters. The exact specs depend on the manufacture case type and variation. Therefore it is important to reference the datasheet for the exact part number and manufacturer.
All variations have a beta or current gain (hFE) of at least 100 in optimal conditions. It is used in a variety of analog amplification and switching applications.
It is available in a variety of small through-hole and surface mount packages including TO-92, SOT-23, and SOT-223.
The 2N2907
is an equally popular (PNP) transistor complementary to the 2N2222.
The 2N3904
is an NPN transistor that can only switch one-third the current of the 2N2222 but has otherwise similar characteristics.
The 2N2219 is very similar with higher power dissipation rating.
Bipolar junction transistor
|- align = "center"| || PNP|- align = "center"| || NPNA bipolar transistor is a three-terminal electronic device constructed of doped semiconductor material and may be used in amplifying or switching applications. Bipolar transistors are so named because their operation involves both electrons...
used for general purpose low-power amplifying
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
or switching applications. It is designed for low to medium current
Electric current
Electric current is a flow of electric charge through a medium.This charge is typically carried by moving electrons in a conductor such as wire...
, low power
Electric power
Electric power is the rate at which electric energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt.-Circuits:Electric power, like mechanical power, is represented by the letter P in electrical equations...
, medium voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
, and can operate at moderately high speeds. It is made in the TO-18
TO-18
In electronics, TO-18 is a designation for a style of transistor metal case. The case is made of metal and is therefore more expensive than the similarly sized plastic TO-92 package used for other transistors. The name is from JEDEC, signifying Transistor Outline Package, Case Style...
metal can as shown in the picture. Replacements are commonly available now in the cheaper TO-92 packaging, where it is known as the PN2222 or P2N2222.
The 2N2222 is considered a very common transistor, and is used as an exemplar of an NPN transistor. It is frequently used as a small-signal transistor, It is a small general purpose transistor of enduring popularity.
The 2N2222 was part of a family of devices described by Motorola at a 1962 IRE
Ire
-Ire:* Extreme anger; intense fury.* Ire, a mountain in France* Irē, is the Livonian name for Mazirbe, Latvia* A town in Oye, Nigeria-IRE:* an abbreviation of Ireland, usually referring to the island of Ireland or bodies that represent it such as the Ireland national rugby union team * Institute of...
convention . Since then it has been made by many semiconductor companies, for example, Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
.
Specifications
The JEDECJEDEC
The JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, formerly known as the Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council , is an independent semiconductor engineering trade organization and standardization body...
registration of a device number ensures particular rated values will be met by all parts offered under that number. JEDEC registered parameters include outline dimensions, small-signal current gain
Gain
In electronics, gain is a measure of the ability of a circuit to increase the power or amplitude of a signal from the input to the output. It is usually defined as the mean ratio of the signal output of a system to the signal input of the same system. It may also be defined on a logarithmic scale,...
, transition frequency, maximum values for voltage withstand, current rating, power dissipation and temperature rating, and others, measured under standard test conditions. Other part numbers will have different parameters. The exact specs depend on the manufacture case type and variation. Therefore it is important to reference the datasheet for the exact part number and manufacturer.
| Manufacturer | Vce | Ic | PD | fT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairchild PN2222A |
40 V | 1 A | 625 mW | 300 MHz |
| Fairchild PN2222/MMBT2222A/PZT2222A |
30 V | 600 mA | 625 mW/350 mW/1000 mW | 300 MHz |
| ON Semiconductor P2N2222A |
40 V | 600 mA | 625 mW/1.5 W | 300 MHz |
| Philips/NXP PN2222A |
40 V | 800 mA | 500 mW/1.2 W | 300 MHz |
| Philips/NXP PN2222 |
30 V | 800 mA | 500 mW/1.2 W | 250 MHz |
| ST Microelectronics 2N2222A |
40 V | 800 mA | 500 mW/1.8 W | 300 MHz |
All variations have a beta or current gain (hFE) of at least 100 in optimal conditions. It is used in a variety of analog amplification and switching applications.
It is available in a variety of small through-hole and surface mount packages including TO-92, SOT-23, and SOT-223.
Related transistors
The BC549 is a low voltage, low current; general-purpose switching transistor in a TO-92 package.The 2N2907
2N2907
The 2N2907 is a PNP bipolar junction transistor used for general purpose low-power amplifying or switching applications. It is designed for low to medium current, low power, medium voltage, and can operate at moderately high speeds. This part number was made by several manufacturers; Texas...
is an equally popular (PNP) transistor complementary to the 2N2222.
The 2N3904
2N3904
The 2N3904 is a common NPN bipolar junction transistor used for general purpose low-power amplifying or switching applications. The type was registered by Motorola Semiconductor in the mid-sixties, together with the complementary PNP type 2N3906, and represented a significant performance/cost...
is an NPN transistor that can only switch one-third the current of the 2N2222 but has otherwise similar characteristics.
The 2N2219 is very similar with higher power dissipation rating.