2N5550 Transistor Pinout, Uses, Equivalents, Features and Other Essential Information

Are you searching for a high voltage transistor with TO-92 package and good overall specs then 2N5550 deserves consideration. This post is focused on the 2N5550 transistor pinout, uses, equivalents, features and other essential information.

Features / technical specifications:

• Package Type: TO-92
• Transistor Type: NPN
• Max Collector Current(I_C): 6A or 600mA
• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CE): 140V
• Max Collector-Base Voltage (V_CB): 160V
• Max Emitter-Base Voltage (VBE): 6V
• Max Collector Dissipation (Pc): 625 mW
• Max Transition Frequency (fT): 100 MHz to 300MHz
• Minimum & Maximum DC Current Gain (h_FE): 80 – 250
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should be: -55 to +150 Centigrade

PNP Complementary:

PNP Complementary of 2N5550 is 2N5400

Replacement and Equivalent:

BC487, NTE194, BC639, BC637, 2N5833, 2N5551G, 2N5551K

2N5551 Transistor Explained / Description:

If you are looking for a good and reliable BJT transistor of TO-92 package for your high voltage applications then 2n5550 might be a good choice. The transistor is capable to drive high voltage load of upto maximum 140V with a maximum load current of 600mA. Looking at the other specs of the transistor the maximum collector to base voltage is 160V, max emitter to base voltage is 6V, max transition frequency is 100MHz, min to max DC current gain is 80 to 250 and maximum collector dissipation is 625mW.

The transistor has many good features such as low noise figure which makes it ideal to use in applications that require low noise transistors. As discussed it has high collector to emitter voltage of 140V which makes it ideal to use in high voltage circuits, it has low collector to emitter saturation voltage of 0.15V to 0.25V making it ideal for low power applications. The high transition frequency of upto 300MHz makes it useable for RF and other high frequency application. It has TO-92 small and lightweight package which is also a good choice for many electronics circuit designs.

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

Due to its good specs 2N5550 transistor can perform good in variety of applications such as it can be used in different type of switching circuits and also in different audio amplifier circuits. Moreover, it can also be used in Radio and RF and different oscillator circuits. The using procedure of this transistor is same as we use any other BJT transistor like 2N3904, BC547 etc.

Applications:

Low power audio amplifiers

Audio frequency driver stages

Switch for small loads under 600mA

Radio and RF circuits

LED driver circuits

Motor driver circuits

Amplifying low power signals

Darlington pair

Power supply circuits (In power supply circuits it can be used as a voltage regulator or switch)

How to Safely Long Run in a Circuit:

To safely operate the transistor and get long term performance it is suggested to not use the transistor to its absolute maximum ratings and stay at least 20% below from these ratings. For instance, the maximum collector to emitter voltage is 140V therefore do not drive load of more than 112V. The maximum collector current is 600mA so the derived load should be under 480mA. Use a suitable base resistor for current limiting and always store or operate the transistor at temperatures above -55 °C and below 150 °C.