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You Can Have My TIPs When You Pry Them From My Cold, Dead Hands

Posted by samzenpus on from the oldie-but-goodie dept.

szczys writes: Should you trash brand new parts developed decades ago and adopt newer models? The argument centers around TIP parts which are a standard type of transistor developed in 1969. This debate started out with a post from Tom Jennings who is known as the creator of Fidonet but works a lot with electronic hardware. Adam Fabio — himself an Electronics Engineer — picked up on the argument for the other side. He attests that if used in the proper application these parts are second to none.

3 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. TIP series are good devices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...but the things expected have evolved from that time until now. The TIP devices, being bipolar technology, are inherently less efficient than their modern cousins, which are mostly CMOS FET technology. The operation of bipolar and FET transistors is fundamentally different, and what is taught today very often overlooks bipolar devices altogether. Further, the older devices tend to be physically larger than modern equivalents, which is a natural consequence of the lower efficiency demanding more surface area to radiate waste heat. The TIP devices are carburetors in a fuel-injected world.

  2. We actually use them in our telescopes by NixieBunny · · Score: 4, Informative

    The TIP120 is not too efficient, but if you're already going to be dropping a couple volts in the transistor, it simply doesn't matter. Our radio telescopes use very low resistance coils to control the attenuation of a microwave signal using a device called a ferrite modulator. Its voltage drop is about 1 volt, and the lowest power supply available is 5V, so it works fine. Plus, we have a bin with 50 of the darn things in the parts cabinet. So there, Tom! (I jest. He's one of my best friends.)

    --
    The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
  3. Re:TIPS means to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    "TIPs" refers to Texas Instrument Power devices. A _Trade_ Name. A more Generic name is BJT- Bipolar Junction Transistor, of which TIPs are a variant.
    The Summary is one of the most ignorant in recent Slashdot memory. It's not even worth being labeled "Flamebait"; not enough thought was given for that designation. BJTs thrive in all sorts of Analog Markets to this day.
    But, well, Samzenpus...
    "Adam Fabio — himself and Electronics Engineer..." What the Hell is that supposed to mean?