Creating an OR gate using transistors is a fundamental
exercise in digital electronics. In this post, I will guide you through the
process of building an OR gate with transistors, explaining each step in
detail.
What is an OR Gate?
An OR gate is a basic digital logic gate that outputs TRUE
or HIGH (1) when even one input is true or high. If all the inputs are false or
low (0), the output is false or low (0). The truth table for a two-input OR
gate is as follows:
Input A |
Input B |
Output |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Components Needed
To build an OR gate, you will need the following components:
- NPN
Transistors: BC547 (2 Nos.); Q1, Q2.
- Resistors:
10K (2 Nos) - R1, R2.
- Resistor:
1K (1 No) - R3.
- Resistor:
220E (1 No) – R4.
- LED:
5mm Red (1 No) – L1, for output indication.
- Switches:
Tact Switches/ push buttons (2 No) – S1,S2.
- Power
Supply - DC source, +5V, Vds.
- Breadboard
& Wires - for assembling the circuit
Understanding the Circuit
In an OR gate circuit with NPN transistors, the transistors
are connected in Parallel mode. Each transistor represents an input. The output
is taken from the Emitters of the first & second transistor together. The
base of each transistor is connected to the input through a resistor, which
limits the current and prevents damage to the transistors.
- Emitter:
The terminal through which current leaves the transistor.
- Base:
The terminal that controls the transistor's switching.
- Collector:
The terminal through which current enters the transistor.
For an NPN transistor, when a small current flows into the
base, it allows a larger current to flow from the collector to the emitter.
Building the OR Gate
Step 1: Connect the Power Supply
- Connect
the positive terminal of the power supply (+5V) to the positive rail of
the breadboard.
- Connect
the negative terminal (GND) to the negative rail.
- Place
two NPN transistors (Q1, Q2).
- Place
two switches (S1, S2).
- Place
Red LED.
Step 3: Connect the Resistors (Use jumping wires for
connections if required)
- Connect resistor (R1) between the
positive rail (+5V) and the input of S1.
- Connect the output of S1 to the base of
Q1.
- Connect
resistor (R2) between the positive rail (+5V) and the input of S2.
- Connect the output of S2 to the base of Q2.
- Connect
the Collectors of Q1 & Q2 to the Positive rail.
- Connect
the Emitter of Q1 & Q2 to R3 one end.
- Connect
another end of R3 to the ground rail (GND).
Step 4: Connect the LED (To show the OUTPUT visually)
- Connect
the anode of the LED (L1) to the Emitter of Q1 & Q2.
- Connect
the cathode of the LED (L1) to the GND.
Step 5: Testing the Circuit
- Apply
different combinations of input voltages to A and B.
- Press
neither S1 nor S2, LED should be OFF.
- Press
S1, LED should be ON.
- Press
S2, LED should be ON.
- Press
S1 & S2, LED should be ON.
Note: Value of resistors can be adjusted as per the
requirements.
I hope you liked the information.
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