What are transistors main general uses?

Question

I'm talking about your basic transistor in all functions. For you non-electronic people, transistors are those things in your computer that are in there so your computer doesn't EXPLODE or OVERLOAD ITSELF! If you're wondering why I'm asking, I'm doing research for Gateway To Technology @ Ferguson Jr. High School.

Answer 1

Transistors have four main uses:

1. As amplifiers, usually as current amplifiers, but sometimes to amplify the voltage instead (where a FET is typically used). Think of the amplifier in a stereo system for example.

2. As switches. Usually as part of an Integrated circuit, although discreet components can be used to make individual switches. Think of solid-state relays for example.

3. As a buffer or impedance matching between mis-matched circuits. Think of the input to an oscilloscope circuit, where it has to load the circuit under test only very lightly.

4. As a regulator. This can be to regulate current, voltage, or power. Think of power transistors in the power supply for the stereo system for example.

I hope this helps a little?!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Transistor Uses

Answer 3

A transistor is an amplifier. It takes a weak signal and a constant higher voltage as input, and returns a modulated high voltage signal.
Anywhere you need to modulate, amplify, modify etc. an electrical signal, there could be transistors behind.
And for the record, transistors do not prevent a computer from exploding. Remove the transistors from a computer and you have an empty box with a few wires and a battery. Transistors are the building block of the logic circuits of a computer, just like cells are the building block of a human beings. Would anyone claim that cells is what prevent a human body from exploding or overloading itself?

Answer 4

The simplest way to understand trasistor circuits is to picture them as plumbing. Transistors are like a fawcet with a controlling tap. The water inlet is the Collector, the outlet is the Emitter and the tap is the Base.

In a switching transistor, a small DC current applied to the Base turns the transistor full on or full off, allowing a large current to flow from Collector to Emitter.

In an amplifying transistor, small fluctuations of current at the Base result in large fluctuations of current from Collector to Emitter - thus amplifying...

Answer 5

What Are Transistors

Answer 6

A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is a current amplifier. That is, a small change in the input current causes a large change in the output current.

Field effect transistors (FET's and their cousins MOSFET's, IGFET's, JFET's, eetc.) are voltage amplifiers. A small change in their input voltage causes a large change in their output voltage.

Either of them may be used as a signal amplifier (linear amplifier) or, by driving them at only 2 levels (corresponding to 1 and 0) they can be used as logic elements in binary logic systems.

HTH ☺


Doug

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are transistors main general uses?
I'm talking about your basic transistor in all functions. For you non-electronic people, transistors are those things in your computer that are in there so your computer doesn't EXPLODE or OVERLOAD ITSELF! If you're wondering why I'm asking, I'm doing research for Gateway To...

Answer 8

transistors are used in every electronic device that switches current, with a few exceptions.

transistors cannot switch high voltage, high current applications, like for an implosion nuclear weapon, and radio broadcasting.

and your on-off wall switch doesn't use a transistor.

Answer 9

In digital circuits, transistors are simply used as on/off switches. In analog applications, they are normally used as amplifiers.

Answer 10

For you who is so wise, transistors do not keep computers from exploding. Please curb your ego. I've been designing circuits with them for 30 years and have never run across such an uneducated statement.