2Nxxxx or MPSxxxx or PNxxxx? what's the difference?

Frequently asked question on transistors: types, substitutions, how to test, use and misuse them.
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nokaster
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Post by nokaster »

In the AMZ article on YAFF it says:
"MPS2369 is sometimes called a 2N2369 or PN2369"

is this always the case, for other transistors?
is a 2N2222 = MPS2222 = PN2222? for instance...
they sure are priced differently over at futurlec!
2N2222 = $0.29
MPS2222A = $0.05
PN2222 = $0.10


another example is the "2369", very different prices and different descriptions...
MPS2369 = NPN Switching Transistor = $0.05
2N2369 = NPN General Purpose = $0.60

did anyone here buy the futurlec transistor pack? if so... how useful were the transistors in the pack?

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Post by analogguru »

Sometimes they are identical sometimes not:

2N 2369, MPS2369 are identical to PN2369 except max. power dissipation:

2N 2369: 360mW MPS2369: 350mW PN2369: 650mW

2N 2222 is housed in a metal-case, MPS and PN are normally in a plastic case....

and there is a difference between 2N 2222 and 2N 2222A:
Higher collector voltage (40 instead of 30V) and lower C-E saturation Voltage. These specs are selected from the same charge of chips. The chip architecture is the same.

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Post by modman »

nokaster wrote: did anyone here buy the futurlec transistor pack? if so... how useful were the transistors in the pack?
They are all bipolar silicons, and if you order that pack you will have enough silicon bipolars to last you a lifetime. No fets though. I got some metal case 2n2222 and BC108 in a pack i ordered over a year ago, but mostly BC types. BC is EU designation, 2N US, 2SK Japan, I believe...

But why order in Indonesia when you can pay twice or three time the prices at Smallbear?
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Post by nokaster »

analogguru wrote:Sometimes they are identical sometimes not:

2N 2369, MPS2369 are identical to PN2369 except max. power dissipation:

2N 2369: 360mW MPS2369: 350mW PN2369: 650mW

2N 2222 is housed in a metal-case, MPS and PN are normally in a plastic case....

and there is a difference between 2N 2222 and 2N 2222A:
Higher collector voltage (40 instead of 30V) and lower C-E saturation Voltage. These specs are selected from the same charge of chips. The chip architecture is the same.

analogguru

so, if i understand correctly, it is OK to use all variations, but there might be a difference in tone/bias?

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Post by analogguru »

so, if i understand correctly, it is OK to use all variations, but there might be a difference in tone/bias?
If you believe in mojo: yes

If you don´t believe in mojo: no

They are all bipolar silicons, and if you order that pack you will have enough silicon bipolars to last you a lifetime.
Really ? how many are inside ? > 10.000 ?
Where to buy them ?

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Post by nokaster »

100 transistors for 5$ at futurlec ;-)

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Post by analogguru »

hmmm.... only 100 ? :cry:

The last transistors I bought were 5.000 pcs. BC 546B for EUR 20,-- (approx. $ 30,--)

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Post by nokaster »

that's a lot a trannies for the money...

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Post by analogguru »

you only have to look on evilbay.... but not for germaniums and other boutique/clone stuff-types....
Fo Example:
nobody bought OC44 (except radio restorators occasionally) until the rangemaster-mania came up.... After that the prices for OC44 exploded.

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Post by modman »

analogguru wrote:hmmm.... only 100 ? :cry:

The last transistors I bought were 5.000 pcs. BC 546B for EUR 20,-- (approx. $ 30,--)

analogguru
Hoping for the BC's to turn to mojo by 2020 :wink: ? Would be a nice retirment...

But that's another league still if you (or anybody) buys 5000pcs. Remember that those $5 dollars you pay for the 12 different types at futurlec would only cover about 17 bipolars at Smallbear if you can lay off the metal cans - so more than 5 times as cheap.

Do wonder how much you pay for fets?
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