2n2222

Overview

The 2N2222 is the quintessential general-purpose NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT) housed in a compact TO-92 plastic package. Revered by engineers, makers, and students worldwide, it is one of the most widely used transistors for general low-to-medium power switching and linear signal amplification. It bridges low-power microcontroller logic pins (such as 3.3V or 5V GPIOs from Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32) to higher-current peripheral loads up to 800mA—making it the fundamental building block for driving relays, LEDs, buzzers, and miniature DC motors.

Key Features

• High Collector Current Handling: Supports continuous collector current up to 800mA (1A peak), easily driving electromechanical relays and power LEDs.
• Fast Switching Response: High transition frequency of up to 300MHz ensures crisp, low-latency switching performance in PWM circuits.
• Robust Voltage Ratings: Collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 40V provides safety margin for 5V, 12V, and 24V circuits.
• High DC Current Gain (hFE): Offers substantial gain between 100 and 300, requiring minimal base drive current from microcontroller GPIOs.
• Breadboard-Friendly TO-92 Footprint: Standard lead spacing fits seamlessly into prototyping breadboards and perforated stripboards.
• Cost-Effective Prototyping: Extremely economical component for lab inventory, educational robotics, and replacement parts.

Technical Specifications

• Transistor Polarity: NPN
• Package Style: TO-92 through-hole
• Collector-Emitter Breakdown Voltage (V_CEO): 40V
• Collector-Base Breakdown Voltage (V_CBO): 75V
• Emitter-Base Breakdown Voltage (V_EBO): 6V
• Continuous Collector Current (I_C): 800 mA
• Total Device Dissipation (P_D): 625 mW @ 25°C ambient
• DC Current Gain (h_FE): 100 to 300 (typical)
• Transition Frequency (f_T): 300 MHz
• Operating & Storage Temperature: -55°C to +150°C

Applications & Use Cases

• Microcontroller Load Switching: Actuating 5V and 12V coil relays, solenoids, and high-brightness LED clusters via Arduino GPIO.
• Small DC Motor Drivers: Serving as low-side switches for miniature vibration and coreless DC motors with flyback diodes.
• Audio & Signal Preamplification: Boosting weak analog audio signals and sensor voltages in simple pre-amp configurations.
• Logic Level Inversion & Buffering: Converting active-high signals to active-low or buffering high-impedance logic gates.
• STEM Education & Prototyping: Foundational component in electronics lab curricula for teaching transistor biasing and cutoff modes.

What's Included

• 1 × 2N2222 General Purpose NPN Transistor (TO-92 package)

Compatibility

• Microcontrollers: 100% compatible with 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers (Arduino Uno/Nano/Mega, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi) using a 1kΩ–2.2kΩ base current-limiting resistor.
• Breadboards & PCBs: Standard 0.1-inch (2.54mm) pitch spacing fits all commercial solderless breadboards, perfboards, and sockets.

MOKWN Recommendation

Every maker's electronics workbench in Egypt should have a handful of 2N2222 transistors ready in their parts drawer. When an Arduino pin's 20mA current limit won't drive your buzzer, solenoid, or 12V relay, popping a 2N2222 in with a 1k base resistor solves the problem in seconds. Remember to always add a 1N4007 flyback diode across inductive loads like relays to protect the transistor from back-EMF spikes. Order genuine semiconductor components from MOKWN today with same-day dispatch across Egypt!