Designing a BJT Switch for Vce Saturation

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To design a BJT switch for Vce saturation, it is crucial to provide sufficient base current to ensure the transistor is fully saturated, especially considering the load at the collector. For a 100 ohm resistor with a Vcc of 5V, the collector current (Ic) would be 50mA, necessitating a base current (Ib) of at least 5mA for reliable saturation. The minimum beta (β) of the 2N2222 must be accounted for, as it varies with conditions, requiring careful calculations based on the specific application. Driving with more base current is emphasized as the most effective method to achieve saturation, despite some opinions suggesting it is an easy way out. Ultimately, ensuring saturation involves understanding the relationship between Ic, Ib, and β under varying conditions.
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How do you design a BJT switch to ensure it is (Vce) saturated.
 
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It all depend what is the load at the collector, in general, drive more base current.
 
yungman said:
It all depend what is the load at the collector, in general, drive more base current.
Drive with more current is the easy way out.
Let's say the load is a 100 ohm resistor. Vcc is 5V.
BJT is 2N2222.
 
likephysics said:
Drive with more current is the easy way out.
Let's say the load is a 100 ohm resistor. Vcc is 5V.
BJT is 2N2222.

What is the typical Vcesat for the 2222? So then what will be the voltage drop across the resistor Rc? So then what will be the current Ic? What is the minimum Beta for the 2222 at that Ic and your operating temperature? So what base current is needed to ensure saturation?

See how it's done? Show us your work...
 
likephysics said:
Drive with more current is the easy way out.
Let's say the load is a 100 ohm resistor. Vcc is 5V.
BJT is 2N2222.

It is not the easy way out, it is the way. When saturated, β drop way low, you need way more base current. You ask how to make sure it is saturated!

5V 100Ω is 50mA. You want do drive at least 5mA to get good saturation. Read the data sheet, they drive 15mA for 150mA.
 
likephysics said:
Drive with more current is the easy way out.
Let's say the load is a 100 ohm resistor. Vcc is 5V.
BJT is 2N2222.
To ensure it is saturated you drive it with sufficient base current that under all foreseeable conditions, your base current IB > IC / β

Remember, β is far from a constant, it varies from batch to batch, from device to device, it varies with current, and it varies with temperature.

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/4666/holly1756.gif
 
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