How to interpret the hFE(beta) in a transistor datasheet?

[nabi]

I'm analyzing a ciruit which contains TIP31 NPN transistor.
The hFE (current gain) on the datasheet is 25 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 1A),
10 to 50 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 3A).
The circuit is about a battery charger and it handles various voltage,
i.e.
The hFE on the datasheet changes in different voltages or it maintains
same range?

I looked at the graphe about hFE but it only shows of 4V test with Ic
variation.

My question is how do I estimate the hFE of a transistor which is used
different setting compared to the datasheet?

 

[chuck]

I'm analyzing a ciruit which contains TIP31 NPN transistor.
The hFE (current gain) on the datasheet is 25 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 1A),
10 to 50 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 3A).
The circuit is about a battery charger and it handles various voltage,
i.e.
The hFE on the datasheet changes in different voltages or it maintains
same range?

I looked at the graphe about hFE but it only shows of 4V test with Ic
variation.

My question is how do I estimate the hFE of a transistor which is used
different setting compared to the datasheet?

Nabi, the most direct route is to simply measure hFE at the operating
point you are contemplating.

Small signal current gain varies considerably from transistor to
transistor. Circuit designers often employ negative feedback to limit a
transistor's hFE so that mass-produced circuits will function
more-or-less the same despite variability in transistor characteristics.

Chuck

 

[Phil Allison]

** Groper alert:

I'm analyzing a ciruit which contains TIP31 NPN transistor.
The hFE (current gain) on the datasheet is 25 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 1A),
10 to 50 (Vce = 4V, Ic = 3A).
The circuit is about a battery charger and it handles various voltage,
i.e.
The hFE on the datasheet changes in different voltages or it maintains
same range?

I looked at the graphe about hFE but it only shows of 4V test with Ic
variation.

My question is how do I estimate the hFE of a transistor which is used
different setting compared to the datasheet?

** Find the published curve of Hfe versus Ic.

My data book shows it is over 100 up to 0.5 amp Ic.

Then falls to about 25 at 3 amp Ic.

This is at a fixed Vce of 2 volts.

More Vce will only improve the figure.

Vce sat is about 1.2 volts at 3 amp Ic with 300 mA Ib.

Simple.



......... Phil

 

[Rich Grise]

Nabi, the most direct route is to simply measure hFE at the operating
point you are contemplating.

Small signal current gain varies considerably from transistor to
transistor. Circuit designers often employ negative feedback to limit a
transistor's hFE so that mass-produced circuits will function
more-or-less the same despite variability in transistor characteristics.

The more "sophisticated" way would be to design the circuit such that hFE
(aka bets) variations don't really make all that much difference. Like,
design for the low value, but arrange the circuit (feedback, etc) so that
using a higher-gain transistor will still give the same answer.

In other words, design it out.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Marra]

Nabi, the most direct route is to simply measure hFE at the operating
point you are contemplating.

Small signal current gain varies considerably from transistor to
transistor. Circuit designers often employ negative feedback to limit a
transistor's hFE so that mass-produced circuits will function
more-or-less the same despite variability in transistor characteristics.

Chuck

The HFE changes with voltage and current.
I would always allow an overhead of 50% on any design I made to be
safe.

www.ckp-railways.talktalk.net/pcbcad21.htm