Is the hfe of a transistor dependent on the resistance on the other parts of the circuit

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I have a circuit using a NPN transistor with a motor before it and a pwm into the base.

The motors draws a current of 600mA if I plug it directly into the power source, just under the maximum allowed by the transistor at 650mA.

The minimum gain of the transistor is listed at 100, with my multimeter reading about 200. The voltage is at 3.7V.

My question is, if I give a base current of lets say 20mA, even with the minimum gain, it is 2A, but will this current be limited by that the motor draws (600mA), or will it push 2A onto the motor?

I have blown 2 of these transistors already, but connecting the base directly to 3.7V. The transistor in question is 2N2222A in the metal case.

Another question is for a simple LED circuit switched by a transistor, is it Ok to depend on the hfe alone? For example, I only have a resistor connected to the base with the collector to HIGH and emitter to the LED?

Best Answer

There are two possible causes of the blown transistors. First, connecting the base directly to 3.7V will cause excessive base current : it makes sense to limit that with a resistor. 20mA is cautious, 100 ohms would allow 30ma which should be safe.

The second in that - while you cannot "push" excessive current like 2A to the motor - if it draws 600mA when running normally, it may draw much higher currents when starting, or when stalled.

Connect the motor to the PSU again, and stall it with your fingers (don't do this with a high power motor! Use some other means of braking it!) Observe the current it draws when stalled ... I'm guessing somewhere over 3 Amps (you may need to fiddle with the current limit to observe this).

It will momentarily draw that current when starting, and that could be fatal to a 650mA rated transistor...