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PNP vs NPN Transistors: Key Differences Explained

transistor pnp npn semiconductor electronics

This article clarifies the distinctions between PNP and NPN transistors.

PNP Transistor vs NPN Transistor

Key Differences Between PNP and NPN Transistors

The following table summarizes the core differences between PNP and NPN transistors:

FeaturePNP TransistorNPN Transistor
StructureTwo P-type regions with a thin N-type region in between.Two N-type regions with a thin P-type region in between.
ConductionCurrent conduction occurs primarily due to the movement of holes from the emitter to the collector.Current conduction occurs primarily due to the movement of free electrons from the emitter to the collector.
Full FormPositive-Negative-PositiveNegative-Positive-Negative
UsageLess commonly used.More widely used compared to PNP transistors.
Resistance ValuesRefer to Table-1 below.Refer to Table-1 below.

Resistance values between terminals-PNP Transistor vs NPN Transistor

Table-1: Resistance values between transistor terminals

Note: Resistance values in Table-1 would be specific resistance measurements depending on the circuit which are not provided.