How to determine Polarity of transistors in a circuit?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the polarity of voltages in a circuit involving transistors, specifically focusing on the meanings of positive and negative signs associated with VEB and VCB. Participants are exploring the implications of these signs in the context of circuit analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to clarify the meaning of voltage polarity signs and how to determine which voltages are positive or negative. Questions are raised regarding the interpretation of these signs in relation to circuit analysis and the conventions used.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the conventions of voltage notation and the importance of labeling current directions. However, there remains a lack of explicit consensus on the methods for determining voltage polarities, with ongoing questions about the application of these concepts in specific scenarios.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of an unofficial notation convention that may influence the understanding of voltage relationships in the circuit. Additionally, the discussion includes references to the NPN transistor's behavior and the influence of battery polarity on voltage signs.

Hamid1
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Hi all,
In following image thare are Positive(+) and Negative(-) signs on above and under VEB and VCB
What's meaning of these signs?are they polarity of transistor?
why beside connection to ground is a negative sign?
15rkzn8.jpg

thanks in advance.
 
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Those signs simply define the polarity of their respective voltages. This is similar to the current arrows which define the current direction.

When analyzing a circuit it is good to clearly label/define all current directions and voltage polarities.

There exists an unofficial notation convention (or notational aid) in which a label Vab is implied to mean Va-Vb, where Va and Vb are the voltages with respect to ground, on each side. This example seems to use that notation.
 
Last edited:
Thank you stevenb.
Can you explain how do I determine which one is Positive and which on is Negative?
 
Hamid1 said:
Thank you stevenb.
Can you explain how do I determine which one is Positive and which on is Negative?

I'm not sure I understand your question. Do you mean, how do you determine which case has VEB or VCB postitive and which negative?

If so, then you simply solve the circuit equations and calculate the values of the voltage drops. If you get a positive answer, then you know that you guessed the correct polarity when you set up the problem. If you get a negative answer, then you know that you guessed the wrong polarity. Note, that I'm using the word "wrong" loosly here, since there is no right and wrong with a convention.

In the case of the NPN transistor, it's clear that VEB is negative and VCB is positive. You can see this just by looking at the battery polarity which is biasing the transistors. You can also see that the current directions are defined correctly (using the positive current convention with positive charge flow representing positive current).
 
Last edited:
Thanks.
That's exactly what I asked.
 

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