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Transistor Circuit Configurations Infographic: common base, collector & emitter
There are three types of circuit configuration that can be used with transistor amplifier: common base, collector (emitter follower) & emitter - each has its own characteristics as explained in the infographic
It is important to select the right circuit configuration for any circuit, and the characteristics of the main types are explained in the infographic.
Common base, common collector or emitter follower and the common emitter are each used for different purposes.
The common emitter is the most widely used having a high power gain. It's often used in audio amplifiers, for various small driver circuits and the like.
The common collector is also known as the emitter follower - gaining this name because the emitter follows the voltage on the base with a 0.6V different for silicon because of the base emiter junction.
This offers a high input resistance and as a result it's main use is as a buffer amplifier.
The common base is the least widely used. Its high-light characteristic is that it has a low input impedance and this makes it suitable for RF amplifiers and low impedance microphone first amplifiers.
