NUMBERING SYSTEM USED FOR NAMING THE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

We all know that there are many thousands of different types of semiconductor devices like diode, transistor etc. They may differ in their characteristics due to the way they are designed & manufactured. After the fabrication of semiconductor devices a numbering scheme is required.  In this respect several numbering systems have been used from time to time by different countries.
However there are some popular semiconductors numbering scheme which are given below:

1. Pro-Electron numbering System
2. JEDEC  Solid State Technology Association System
3. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) System

 

Pro-Electron/EECA Numbering system

Pro-Electron/EECA (European Electronics Component Manufacturers Association) numbering system was invented by Pro-electron standardization authority in 1966 in Brussels, Belgium. In 1983 it was merged with the EECA & since then operates as an agency of the EECA.It is the European type designation & registration system for active components (e.g. semiconductor, LCD, Sensor, CRT etc)

FORMAT:

• First Letter

           [It indicates the nature of semiconductor material (see Table 1)]

• Second Letter

          [It indicates the device & its function in the circuit (see Table 2)]

• Serial Number:  First letter (W, X, Y, Z), 3 Digit Number (Running form 001-999), 4 Digit Number (Running from 0001-9999)

EXAMPLES:

      BC547, BC857, BC847, CNY17-4, BFW11 & BPW34

IMPORTANT POINTS:

• If the device number contains two numerical digits (e.g. BFX15): The device is usually used for industrial or professional equipment.

• If the device number contains three numerical digits (e.g.BF 194):  The device is usually used for consumer equipment (i.e. for entertainment etc.)

TABLE 1:

A	Germanium
B	Silicon
C	Gallium Arsenide
R	Compound ( e.g. Cadmium Sulphide)

TABLE 2:

A	Diode
B	Varactor
C	A.F. low Power transistor
D	A.F. Power transistor
E	Tunnel, diode
F	H.F. Low power transistor
G	Multiple device
H	Magnetic Sensitive diode
K	Hall-effect modulator
L	H.F. power transistor
M	Hall-effect modulator
P	Radiation Sensitive diode
Q	Radiation generating diode
R	Thyristor (SCR or triac)
S	Low power switching transistor
T	Thyristor, high power
U	Switching transistor, power
X	Diode, multiplier
Y	Power multiplier
Z	Zener diode

JEDEC SOLID STATE TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION SYSTEM:

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association System formerly known as JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) was founded in 1958 as a joint activity between EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) & the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) to develop standards for semiconductor devices. NEMA discontinued its involvement in 1979. JEDEC Solid state technology association system is used more widely in North America.

FORMAT:

• DIGIT (1, 2, 3)
• 1-DIODE (One Junction)
• 2-BJT (Two Junctions)
• 3- FET (Three Junctions)

• LETTER
  (ALWAYS ‘N’)

• SERIAL NUMBER
  (Runs from 100- 9999 & indicates nothing about the transistor)  

Example: 1N4007, 2N2222

JIS SYSTEM

JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) specifies the standards used for industrial activities in Japan.

FORMAT

• DIGIT [It indicates number of junctions (e.g. 2 SA 777)]

• SECOND LETTER

            First Letter ('S') Means semiconductor device

            Second Letter (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, M, Q, R, S, T, V, Z) for more details see Table 3

• SERIAL NUMBER (From 10-9999)

EXAMPLES:

2SA1187, 2SB646

TABLE 3:

A	PNP HF transistor
B	PNP AF transistor
C	NPN HF transistor
D	NPN AF transistor
E	Diodes
F	Thyristors
G	Gunn devices
H	UJT
J	P-channel FET/ MOSFET
K	N-Channel FET/ MOSFET
M	Triac
Q	LED
R	Rectifier
S	Signal diodes
T	Avalanche Diodes
V	Varicaps
Z	Zener diodess

Major Manufacturers And There Mystery Numbers 

Major manufacturers often produce their own code and numbering scheme for commercial reasons. The following abbreviations represent some of the larger semiconductor manufacturers:

MJ	Motorola power, metal case
MJE	Motorola power, plastic case
MPS	Motorola low power, plastic case
MRF	Motorola HF, VHF and microwave transistor
RCA	RCA
RCS	RCS
TIP	Texas Instruments power transistor (plastic case)
TIPL	TI planar power transistor
TIS	TI small signal transistor (plastic case)
ZT	Ferranti
ZTX	Ferranti

EXAMPLES: TIP32A, MJE3055, and ZTX302.