D880 Transistor : Pin Configuration & Its Applications

D880 transistor is manufactured in the TO-220 package to use in the amplification of audio frequency and general-purpose applications. For instance, this transistor is used as a switch to drive upto a load of 3A, so this is capable of driving motors, relays, transistors based on the power required, etc.

This transistor has low saturation voltage, so it is used with different electronic boards like Raspberry Pi and Arduino to drive different loads. This article discusses an overview of the D880 transistor, pinout, features, equivalent with working & its applications.

What is D880 Transistor?

The D880 transistor is one kind of power amplifier transistor available with less frequency. This transistor is used where a push-pull design is used like class-B amplifier circuits. We have already known that a push-pull circuit needs an NPN transistor and PNP complementary transistor. Here D880 NPN transistor is used where the B834 transistor is used like its PNP complementary transistor.

These transistors are used in amplifier designs and also in regulation and amplification circuits because it has 3A of huge collector current & 7V of less trigger voltage. We can also find buck and boost converters for power supply circuits with a series transistor.

Pin Configuration

The pin configuration of the D880 Transistor is shown below along with its symbol. This transistor includes three terminals like E(Emitter), B (base), and C (collector) where each pin & its functionality is discussed below.

• Pin1 (Base): This terminal is used to control the transistor’s biasing by switch ON/OFF the transistor
• Pin2 (Collector): This terminal allows the flow of current and generally it is connected to GND.
• Pin3 (Emitter): The flow of current will drain out throughout this terminal and it is also connected to GND.

Features & Specifications

The features and specifications of the D880 transistor include the following.

• It is available in the TO-220 package
• DC Current Gain/hFE (Min & Max) is 60 to 300
• Collector current/IC (Max) is 3A
• Transition frequency/ fT (Max) is 3 MHz
• Voltage from collector to the emitter (VCE) is 60V
• Dissipation of collector/Pc (Max) is 30 Watts
• Voltage from collector to base/VCB (Max) is 60V
• Voltage from emitter to base/VEB (Max) is 7V
• Maximum storage and operating temperature must be from -55 to +150 C
• Type Designator: D880
• Transistor material is Si
• NPN polarity

Equivalent of D880 PNP transistor is 2SB834 whereas D880 equivalent NPN transistors are SC1826, NTE152 & BD241. Alternative D880 amplifier transistors are 2N5551, KSA1220, S8550, TIP32C, BD136, etc.

Here is the equivalent and replacement D880 transistors available but the pin configuration of these transistors are different. So need to check before changing within the circuit. They are 2SC1060, TIP31A, 2SC1061, 2SC1226, 2SC1173, 2SC1226A, 2SC1419, 2SC1418, 2SC2236, 2SC2075, 2SC2500, 2SD1274A, 2SD1134, 2SC1985, 2SC3179, 2SC1826, 2SC3851A, 2SC3851, 2SD1354, 2SC1986, 2SD1274, 2SD235, 2SD234, 2SD313, 2SD317, 2SD314, 2SD318, 2SD325, 2SD331, 2SD330, 2SD365, 2SD389, 2SD762, BDT31, 2SD390, BDT31A, etc.

How Long D880 Transistor is used Securely in a Circuit?

By using this D880 transistor, we can get stable performance within a circuit. For that, it is recommended to use below 20% of its complete maximum ratings. The maximum collector current (Cc) is 3A so does not drive any load above 2.4A. The maximum voltage from collector to emitter terminal is 60V thus do not drive any load above 48V. An appropriate heat sink needs to use along with a transistor & operate the transistor always > -55 degree centigrade & < +150 degree centigrade.

Motor Driver Circuit using a D880 Transistor

Generally, DC gear head motors need above 250mA of current but different ICs like 555 timers, ATmega16 & 74 series ICs cannot provide this amount of supply of current. Whenever the motor is connected directly to the output of any IC, the motor may get damaged.

To overcome this drawback, a circuit is needed which works as a bridge in between the Motor & above mentioned integrated circuits. So there are many methods are available like using a transistor, using relays, and using L298 or L293D. Here we are designing a motor driver circuit using a D880 transistor which is shown below. By using this transistor, single direction control of a motor can be possible.

If you desire to turn your motor in simply one direction, so this is the simple method to do so. In this circuit, a D880 power transistor is employed as a switch to make the motor ON/OFF based on the voltage applied at the base terminal. If the applied input signal is 5V then the motor starts rotating and if there is no voltage is applied or disconnected then the motor stops rotating. The above circuit can also be used to make a simple line following robot.

Here, we need to check the transistor rating before using it in the circuit and it should be higher than the highest current drawn through the motor. In general, a DC motor draws 250mA of current and the rating of collector current for this transistor is 3A.

By using this power transistor, we can reduce the damage of a short circuit because of the connected heat sink to them. If the requirement of current is high, then we can use Relays.

Where to use D880 Transistor/Applications

The applications of the D880 transistor include the following.

• The D880 NPN transistor is used in a wide variety of applications.
• It can be used as a separate amplifier to drive a speaker directly.
• This transistor is used in audio amplifier circuits based on high power.
• It can be used as a switch.
• It is used at the output of the different controllers, integrated circuits to drive various loads.
• Audio Amplifier.
• Relay Driver.
• To drive loads below 3A.
• In general-purpose applications.
• In amplifier circuits.
• In switching devices that operate with medium current and less voltage.
• In DC to DC converters

Thus, this is all about an overview of the D880 transistor datasheet which includes its definition, pin configuration, features & specifications, equivalent transistors, alternative transistors, circuit working with applications. This transistor is used in different applications which are mentioned above. So, here is a question for you, what are the main drawbacks of a D880 transistor?