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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets.

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Old 27th May 2023, 11:42 am   #1
Malcolm T
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Default Semiconductor equivalents

Is there a semiconductor live chart out there somewhere where I can just type in a window and it throws up an equivalent without trolling through pages of lists?

Many thanks.
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Old 27th May 2023, 12:55 pm   #2
factory
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

No free options that I know of, but there is the ECA online version, quite expensive for hobby use though, I've never used it myself, but do have some of their older databooks; https://www.eca.de/en/homepage/eca-o...all-databases/
Or a download option is available too; https://www.eca.de/en/homepage/eca-d...2023-download/

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Old 27th May 2023, 1:04 pm   #3
Terry_VK5TM
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

Give this one a try https://alltransistors.com/
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Old 27th May 2023, 2:15 pm   #4
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

They're of limited use anyway, although they do indicate what will work.

But it's knowledge of the circuit which will indicate a good substitution. For example, if you're having to replace a transistor which failed - do you want to replace it with something with the same spec (which may then also fail, because the circuit actually stresses the device to near its limits) or do you want to possibly upgrade?

And again, it's quite possible the original device was over-specified. In the 'day job' I used to almost always specify BC107 for small-signal NPN - when I needed the 45V Vceo, and when I didn't, simply to avoid stocking two different parts. It enabled bulk-buy and cost savings. Yet if one ever failed 'in the field' a BC108 (25V rating) would in many cases be more than sufficient - I can think of circuit positions where the transistor doesn't see more than 3V!
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Old 27th May 2023, 2:32 pm   #5
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

I bought a copy of TITS: "Towers' International Transistor Selector" after seeing references to it on this forum. It's very useful for base types and equivalents, as well as general reference.

Online, Terry_VK5TM's suggestion of alltransistors.com is one I use too, particularly for more modern numbers that don't come up in my Towers edition. The website's a little peculiar, but you can search for a known number in the box at the top of the homepage, or key in crucial data elements in the boxes if you scroll down a little. The results page shows equivalents for various parameters.
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Old 27th May 2023, 2:35 pm   #6
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

Yes, pretty much all small signal silicon types are interchangeable unless the circuit has unusual voltage or current requirements or needs exceptional noise levels. There are many reasons for the vast number of supposedly different types, but it's mostly down to individual manufacturers producing their own variants, and component selection in the early days of silicon planar production when transistors had a wide spread of characteristics and had to be graded.

Towers is an excellent reference if you can get hold of a copy.
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Old 27th May 2023, 3:07 pm   #7
radiomobile
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

Remember Elektor magazine TUP and TUN (Transistor Universal PNP and Transistor Universal NPN) which tried to make sense of the plethora of devices with interchangeable specs.
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Old 27th May 2023, 5:24 pm   #8
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

I was just thinking the same. TUP TUN. Bob
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Old 29th May 2023, 9:13 am   #9
Malcolm T
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

Thanks people , will give the suggestions a go
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Old 29th May 2023, 9:45 am   #10
Craig Sawyers
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Default Re: Semiconductor equivalents

Back in the day the Towers International Transistor Selector was the way of finding equivalent transistors. I also have the MOSFET and FET update. And just for giggles a Discontinued Diodes Databook - which alas is almost impenetrably difficult to use.

Various Towers books, including the Towers International Transistor Selector are now downloadable as pdf's - just google the title.

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