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SparkFun Discrete Semiconductor Kit
If you do anything with electronics, you’re probably already using transistors, but you’re probably using them in large, prepackaged clusters of just one type. The SparkFun Discrete Semiconductor Kit addresses your needs of only needing one or a couple transistors without you needing go and order a single transistor. Inside each kit you will find multiple types of semiconductors including PNP and NPN bipolar transistors, N-channel and P-channel MOSFETs, diodes, adjustable voltage references, and adjustable voltage regulators.
Because discrete semiconductors are a basic building block of electronic circuits, this assortment of discrete semiconductor makes for a perfect addition to a workbench regardless if you are a beginner or an advanced electronics nerd!
- 25x NPN Transistor - 2N3904
- 25x PNP Transistor - 2N3906
- 10x N-channel MOSFET - 5LN01SP
- 10x P-Channel MOSFET - 5LP01SP
- 20x Silicon Diode - 1N4148
- 20x Power Diode - 1N4004
- 5x Voltage Reference - TL431A
- 5x Voltage Regulator - LM317LZ
SparkFun Discrete Semiconductor Kit Product Help and Resources
Transistors
July 1, 2014
A crash course in bi-polar junction transistors. Learn how transistors work and in which circuits we use them.
Discrete Semiconductor Kit Identification Guide
November 19, 2015
Get to know the contents of the SparkFun Discrete Semiconductor Kit.
Proto Pedal Example: Analog Equalizer Project
September 22, 2016
Building a gyrator-based analog equalizer using the Proto Pedal.
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5
Based on 6 ratings:
9 of 9 found this helpful:
Great selection, some labeling would be nice
It's a great selection of semiconductors. Exactly what I need for some projects I'm working on.
My big objection is the packaging. Each item comes in a small plastic bag with no label. So instead of opening the box and working on my project, I had to spend a half hour with a magnifier and their identification guide to figure out which item was which and put a small label in the bag with the item. This could easily have been done by whoever packaged them in the first place. Not impressed.
3 of 3 found this helpful:
Useful, but be aware
This review is not criticism, these parts are useful to have on hand. Just be aware of what you're getting. A set of basic parts like this is aimed at relative newbies, like myself. But newbies are likely to have a bit of trouble with this set.
The transistors are not breadboard friendly. The lead spacing is .05" rather than the standard breadboard .10". They're also 28 AWG, so when you bend them to fit a breadboard, which you'll have to do, you'll find they're flimsy and bend way too easily. The MOSFET leads are more substantial at 26 AWG, and have standard .10" spacing. Best of all, the power diodes have 24 AWG leads. It's clear that quality varies across items in this set.
Someone already pointed out the lack of labeling, so I won't belabor that point. I'll just add that it would be easier to label them once, when they're packed, rather than all of us doing it all over, every time. Sparkfun, if you're listening, you know what the items are when putting them in little bags. It would take but a few seconds to slap a label on them then and there, and save each of us that half hour spent figuring them out.
In spite of the above, I recommend this set. The items are mostly useful, and they're common enough that it's good to have a bunch on hand.
3 of 4 found this helpful:
I bought two of them
Nice selection of commonly used semiconductors. Haven't had a problem with them and great to know I've always got a handy selection on hand.
Very useful to have around!
Took care a small project I was doing and it will remain handy to have around.
Ah, I've been looking around for some small-signal P-channel MOSFETs in TO-92 or similar packages for a while, along with their complementary N-channel devices. Have a couple of design ideas requiring these, and although I have some stock of P- and N-channel devices in SOT23 packages, I still have been on the lookout for some through-hole ones. And here they are.
The other components are bonus ones to me right now; though the voltage references are also something I would have been looking for sooner rather than later. As for LM317, the 2N3904 and 2N3906 and the diodes, these are generally useful and convenient to have around and available right here.
Overall, this is an excellent collection of small devices.
I ordered this but it only came with 5 n-channel MOSFETs instead of 10! This would be okay, except I need 8 for my project. 😡
Please reach out to our support team on our forums. Our technical support team will do their best to assist you.
Who's the doofus escapee from Pirates of the Caribbean?"
Integrated circuits aren't really "just one type" of transistor (some early ones like PMOS were), but modern ones normally have at least two kinds of transistors, and often many more. Also, "Identification" is misspelled.
Is there any MOQ?
No, our products are intended for end users and so are usually sold as singles, but if you need more we can always comply.