EXPERIMENT V

PROGRAMMABLE UNIJUNCTION TRANSISTOR

I. OBJECTIVE:

After completing and performing the laboratory experiment, you will

able to:

• State how to set the PUT trigger voltage.

• Demonstrate a practical go/no/go method of testing a PUT with
an ohmmeter.
• Demonstrate the turn on (firing) and turn off (reset) methods for
a PUT.
• Compare the PUT structure to that of the SCR.

INTRODUCTION:

The PN junction from anode to gate of a PUT can be tested with an ohmmeter
similar to a regular diode. However, testing for cathode to gate will not indicate a
working PUT because one of the PUT junctions with always be reversed biased. The
PUT can be tested with an ohmmeter by placing the positive lead on the cathode
with the gate will trigger the PUT, and the meter should indicate low resistance if
the power source is sufficient to produce the necessary holding current.

Ro conduct, the PUT must have its anode more positive that its cathode. When
the gate voltage is made more negative than its anode, the PUT turns on or fires and
current flows from cathode to anode. When the gate voltage is again made equal to
or more positive than the anode, current continues to flow through the PUT. The
PUT is turned off or reset by reducing the current through it below its holding current
for a specific power supply voltage.
II. MATERIAL NEEDED:

1 Fixed + 6-V power supply

1 standard or digital voltmeter
1 standard or digital ammeter
1 2N6027 PUT or equivalent
1 1-k resistor at 0.5W (RL)
1 10-k resistor at 0.5W (RG)
1 SPDT switched (S1 and S2)
1 Breadboard for constructing circuit

Figure 10.1 testing a PUT with an ohmmeter:

(a) without clip lead; (b) with clip lead;
(c) again without clip lead

PART I: TESTING A PUT WITH OHMMETER

1. Set the ohmmeter to the midrange scale.

2. Connect the ohmmeter to the PUT as shown in figure 10.1a and record the meter
reading in table 10.1.
3. Connect the clip lead as shown in figure 10.1b and record the meter reading.
4. Remove the clip lead as shown in figure 10.1c and record the reading.
PART II: OPERATION OF A PUT

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 10.2.

2. Set switches S1 and S2 as indicated and then apply power to the circuit.
3. In the first row of the data table 10.2, record the values of VA and IAK.
4. Move S1 to position B and record the values of VA and IAK in the second row of
the data table.
5. Move S1 to position A and record the values of VA and IAK in the third row of
the data table.
6. Move S2 to position B and record the values of VA and IAK in the fourth row of
the data table.
7. Move S2 to position A and record the values of VA and IAK in the fifth row of the
data table.

Figure 10.2