PNP vs NPN

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=144047
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 7:24 AM

Topic: PNP vs NPN

Posted By: --weezl--
Subject: PNP vs NPN
Date Posted: January 19, 2018 at 9:54 AM

I'm doing my level 2 heavy duty course right now, electronics section, instructor is talking about PNP vs npn transistors (I know they aren't relays, but they are similar in many ways) instructor says he has a very easy way to remember npn vs PNP, but can't tell us because it's offensive and he could get in a LOT of trouble...

Does anyone have any idea what this method would be?

I found a lot of things that say
PNp means
Pointing iN

NPN means
Not Pointing iN

But this is bugging the whole class, as to what the "dirty" version is.

Thanks!

-------------
no signature needed

Replies:

Posted By: lmlisak
Date Posted: January 22, 2018 at 6:00 PM

???

I was not taught that...

I dont want to imagine an instructors take on a xistor.. posted_image

-------------
xyzzy

Posted By: astuff
Date Posted: January 27, 2018 at 12:21 AM

Left off a word: PNP = Pointing iN Please

Posted By: jaybonez
Date Posted: April 07, 2018 at 7:47 PM

Pnp means positive negative positive and npn negative positive negative and I am almost one hundred percent that this refers to the leads that come out of the bottom so the pnp would mean the first lead is positive and the middle lead is negative and the third lead is positive .and vise versa or the npn

-------------
%Pattonz~pleasure~palace%

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 07, 2018 at 8:17 PM

On a schematic diagram, the symbol for a transistor has an arrow on it. The arrow points to the negative junction. Symbol for npn

symbol for pnp

NPN not pointing in. The arrow points away from the center.
PNP pointing in Please The arrow points to the center junction. (Known as the Base)