Choosing a transistor

[Luciano]

The datasheet you posted is for MPSA13 and thats what ive been reading.
The order code you posted is for MPSA14 though.

Hi,

The datasheet I have posted is the datasheet of the MPSA13 and the MPSA14.
http://www.rapidonline.com/netalogue/specs/81-0142.pdf

The first page of the datasheet is added by Rapid. If you scroll to page 2
you will see the real page 1 of the datasheet and on the top right corner
you can read MPSA13 and MPSA14.

The collector current for the MPSA13 and the MPSA14 is 500mA.
The difference is the current gain.

Time to build a prototype, try both transistors.

Best regards,

Luciano

[The Master]

Im not sure which link im looking at then. The one i got using the order code from your schematic looks completely different. It has chinese in it. http://www.rapidonline.com/netalogue/specs/47-5512.pdf. Thats the one i got the 1.2A from. I guess getting both cant hurt because the bigger versions of these lights will have more LEDs so i guess its worth testing both

[Luciano]

Hi,

Will be the transitor better than the baby milk?

Best regards,

Luciano

[The Master]

Whats that mean?

[Luciano]

Bitter taste over China baby milk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7620812.stm

[The Master]

Ok, so china has contaminated milk powder. Are you saying not to trust the transistor with chinese in the datasheet incase its substandard or did i completely miss the point?

"Will be the transitor better than the baby milk?"
Erm, i guess it will be because i dont think baby milk will turn LEDs on

[rmteo]

Get the manufacturer's datasheet here:
http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/MP/MPSA13.pdf

[skimask]

It has chinese in it.

Are you sure that's chinese? Or is it a manufacturer's logo?

[The Master]

Im not sure exactly. It could be japanese kanji. The datasheet Luciano linked to didnt have any of that. It says its for both but the second one has a completely different datasheet. Now the datasheets from www.fairchildsemi.com are completely different to both of them :O

[Luciano]

Hi,

If the quality of the datasheet reflects the quality of the product....
http://www.rapidonline.com/netalogue/specs/47-5512.pdf

Compare the above datasheet with the datasheet of the MPSA14 made by Philips Semiconductors.
http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/...s/MPSA14_7.pdf

* * *

Make sure you know who are the makers of the components you use.

Best regards,

Luciano

[The Master]

That makes sense.

So can you get the same component (with the same number) from more than one company then? I thought each company had their own numbering system even if they make components that do the exact same thing

[rmteo]

It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The Fairchild one is rated at 1.2A. This one from On Semiconductor is rated at 500mA:
http://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/MPSA13-D.PDF

[Luciano]

Hi,

"Tru Semi" is Rapid Electronics which is not a semiconductor maker.
Try the URL www.trusemi.com and you will be linked to Rapid Electronics.

Is the quality OK?
Can Rapid Electronics test the quality of these products?
Does Rapid Electronics know the real makers of these semiconductors?

* * *

Is that a commercial project or just for your personal use?

Best regards,

Luciano