What is the utility of grounding in this Transistor case?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the utility of grounding in transistor circuits, specifically in the context of common emitter configurations. Participants explore the necessity of grounding for circuit functionality, conventions in circuit diagrams, and implications for practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the necessity of grounding the emitter and negative terminals, suggesting that circuits can function without it.
  • Others argue that grounding provides a return loop for current, essential for completing the circuit.
  • A participant notes that grounding is a convention and does not imply an Earth connection, suggesting it can be omitted in certain contexts.
  • Another participant mentions that grounding may be necessary when integrating with additional circuitry, such as for inputs and outputs of amplification.
  • Concerns are raised about static electricity and the potential need for grounding to dissipate charges, although it is noted that well-insulated circuits may not require it.
  • One participant highlights the risk of connecting transistor cases to Earth through heatsinks, emphasizing the need for caution in practical applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and implications of grounding in transistor circuits. There is no consensus on whether grounding is essential, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect assumptions about circuit design conventions and practical applications, which may vary based on specific use cases or configurations. The discussion includes references to the behavior of circuits in isolation and the role of grounding in preventing static charge buildup.

Wrichik Basu
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,180
Reaction score
2,690
I am attending an online lecture course on semiconductor physics. While explaining the common emitter mode of transistors, the professor sketched this diagram on the board: (I added something more to explain better)

npn.JPG


I understand that the emitter has to be at the same potential, and that is why its "common". but what is the utility of grounding the emitter and the negative terminals of the battery? Can't this circuit be constructed without the grounding? Why is the grounding necessary?
 

Attachments

  • npn.JPG
    npn.JPG
    17.1 KB · Views: 1,464
Physics news on Phys.org
How would you have any return loop for anything with no ground? That is, how would you even have a complete circuit?
 
phinds said:
How would you have any return loop for anything with no ground? That is, how would you even have a complete circuit?
The left circuit is complete by itself, as the current ##I_B## enters the circuit and again reaches the battery. The right circuit is also complete, as the current ##I_C## leaves and again enters the battery. Junction law of Kirchhoff says that ##I_E = I_B + I_C##. So, why is grounding at all necessary?
 
If you mean why does the entire lower line show as grounded, that is just a convention. It doesn't mean "Earth ground", just a common return path. It is identical to NOT showing it grounded. As I said, it's just a convention.
 
phinds said:
If you mean why does the entire lower line show as grounded, that is just a convention. It doesn't mean "Earth ground", just a common return path. It is identical to NOT showing it grounded. As I said, it's just a convention.
So I can simply skip that grounding symbol, right? I was confused in associating it with grounding as in case of earthing.
 
Wrichik Basu said:
So I can simply skip that grounding symbol, right? I was confused in associating it with grounding as in case of earthing.
Yes you can skip it. Ground is just a reference point in a circuit and is not necessarily an Earth connection.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Wrichik Basu
Wrichik Basu said:
So I can simply skip that grounding symbol, right? I was confused in associating it with grounding as in case of earthing.
In practical terms, yes. In conventional notation, you should leave it in.
 
Wrichik Basu said:
The left circuit is complete by itself, as the current ##I_B## enters the circuit and again reaches the battery. The right circuit is also complete, as the current ##I_C## leaves and again enters the battery. Junction law of Kirchhoff says that ##I_E = I_B + I_C##. So, why is grounding at all necessary?
It isn't needed at all unless you are planning to use that circuit in junction with more circuitry. There are cases where you DON"T want ground, where you want isolation from ground. Remember transistor radios or cell phones, there is no ground to the outside world, internal circuitry are all referenced together to some common point they call ground but the entire system is ungrounded and they work just fine.

So the ground would be for other circuits hooked to that transistor, inputs and outputs of amplification or oscillation for instance.

One reason for a ground though is to bleed off static electric charges but as long as a circuit is well insulated, static electricity would have to go to very high voltages to effect such circuits if they were insulated against ground, 20,000 volts could perhaps penetrate such insulation and it is not that difficult to generate that much voltage from say walking across a nylon rug picking up charges on a day with low humidity.
 
+1

Sometimes people get lazy when explaining how a circuit works and they throw in an Earth symbol to indicate where any voltages or waveforms are referenced to.

Something to watch out for is that some transistors have their case connected to either the collector or emitter inside. So when using a heatsink there is a risk of accidentally connecting one to Earth via the heatsink and the case of the equipment. Insulating washers may have to be used to mount the transistor to the heatsink.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
15K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
9K