Quote Originally Posted by ErnieM View Post
The “bridge to Vcc” resistor is needed cause transistors ain’t perfect. There is always a leakage current from B to C that needs come from somewhere. If you don’t provide a source for it then it comes from E to B, which is real base current, which makes the device begin to turn on, which increases current out the collector, which burns power, which heats the device, which increases the B to C leakage that needs come from somewhere …


Outstanding! Thank you Ernie - that actually helps a lot - I'm much more clear now. Total lightbulb moment.