2SCxxx transistors gain reference.

[digi2t]

Hey all,

I've been immersed in 2SC transistors of late, so I thought I would just post this in case there's anyone else looking to find what all the gain range letters mean. The gain suffix letters are pretty much standard for many of the 2SC transistors found in many of the classic Japanese pedals of yester-yore.

Japanese 2SCxxx (and similar NPN, or PNP) transistor gain ranges;

O = 65 - 130 (or 70 - 140)
P = 90 - 180
Q = 130 - 260
R = 180 - 360
S = 260 - 520
T = 360 - 700

GR = 200 - 400
BL = 350 - 700

Y = This one is a bit of an oddball. I have many "Y" rated 2SC828's, and for the most part they tend to test in the 80 to 100 range. From info I've found, "Y" transistors can be listed as 70-140, 120-240, 70-240, and even 160-500, depending on the transistor model.

If anyone see something funky, or has more to add, please chip in. Another good reference is here; http://www.classiccmp.org/rtellason/parts-index.html

Go down the page, and there are links to other reference pages.

Cheers,
Dino

[armdnrdy]

Hey Dino,

I have a collection of those 2SC things...and I've found that the "Y", "GR", "GL" HFE rating is usually below the initial specs of the particular transistors data sheet.


You may have noticed that.  

Edit:
Wait...hold the phone! Did you say you have many "Y' rated 828s?

I can only find the Q, R, & S rating for 2SC828s on the data sheets. 

[digi2t]

Wait...hold the phone! Did you say you have many "Y' rated 828s?

I can only find the Q, R, & S rating for 2SC828s on the data sheets. 

Yes sir, I do. And yes... I was quite taken aback when I saw the "Y" moniker as well.



Board full of them...



This includes quite a few 2SC372Y's on another board, with the "Y" clearly emblazoned on the top of the transistor. I found a shortform datasheet that lists the "O" as 70 - 140, and the "Y" as 120 minimum. That's why I believe that the "Y" suffix is a bit of a crap shoot, and it really dependant on the transistor model.

[armdnrdy]

There they are in black and white....err...I mean in full blown Technicolor.

Google comes up with no data sheet and no images so....that means they don't actually exist.