What types of transistors are available?

A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals. Transistors are broadly divided into three types: bipolar transistors (bipolar junction transistors: BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs), and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs).

A bipolar transistor is a type of transistor that uses both electrons and holes as charge carriers. Two types of bipolar transistor are manufactured: npn and pnp.

A field-effect transistor is a unipolar device constructed with no pn junction in the main current-carrying path. Also, two types of field-effect transistor are manufactured: N-channel and P-channel.

An IGBT consists of a voltage-driven MOSFET followed by a high-current transistor.

Typical schematic symbols of these transistors are shown below:

Bipolar Transistor (npn)
Bipolar Transistor (npn)
Insulated-Gate Field-Effect Transistor MOSFET (N-channel)
Insulated-Gate Field-Effect Transistor MOSFET (N-channel)
Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT
Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT

Chapter 3, “Transistors,” of the e-learning session provides related information.

Back to FAQs of MOSFETs / Bipolar Transistors / IGBTs

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