2n3819 Jfet



Datasheet

The 2N3819 is a more typical and ideal JFET than the 2N4392; is its transfer characteristic closer to a parabola (that is, is its transconductance closer to linear)? Note that the 2N3819 uses the pin. Most JFETs are n-channel (rather than p-channel) devices. Two of the oldest and best known n-channel JFETs are the 2N3819 and the MPF102, which are usually housed in TO92 plastic packages with the connections shown in Figure 1; Figure 2 lists the basic characteristics of these two devices.

Replacements for the MPF102

No more MPF102s. My local Radio Shack store quit stocking my favorite JFETs, the MPF102 and 2N3819. Poor Radio Shack! The stores can't stock what they can't buy. Wholesale vendors don't sell the MPF102 or 2N3819 anymore. These days, neither Fairchild nor Siliconix manufactures these JFETs. Fortunately there are good alternatives, but these require a little hunting and gathering.

What should you do? Substitute! Radio Shack once sold four NTE equivalents for the MPF102. These parts were available over the Web, with free shipment to your local store. Yet since Radio Shack's 2015 reorganization, the Web site can no longer fix you up with these equivalents. I still recommend the parts, though. Fairchild offers a fifth replacement JFET, the J113. (See below). Maybe you can find one of these parts at Mouser, Fry's, Allied, NTE, or Avnet.

New-old stock. You can also check eBay for available prices on a new-old stock MPF102. Some such parts come from China. Amazon now carries Chinese parts, too. (I understand that these are Chinese-manufactured parts, not new-old stock. Parts tolerances might vary quite a bit.) If the vendor is over there, standard shipping to the U.S. might take a month.

I've tested two of each replacement part in the Hawes JFET preamp circuit. The replacement JFETs seem to bias up all right. Of course, I don't know how they'll sound with your guitar or microphone. I think these devices are worth a try. I recommend trying one of the less-expensive parts. The cheapest JFET is the Fairchild J113, for which Mouser will give you a wholesale price. (For JFETs by NTE, you'll pay retail.)


Pinout for MPF102, J113, & NTE457

The part numbers and vendor names below are clickable. Click for links to more information.

From Allied or NTE From Mouser or Avnet
NTE457NTE 469NTE132NTE456J113
TO-92 package. Same pinout as MPF102! TO-92 package. Doesn't match MPF102. Small, plastic TO-106 package. Short, stiff leads in a triangle. Four-pin, metal TO-72 package. Expensive. TO-92 package. Same pinout as MPF102!
Recommend?
Yes! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Yes, ★ ★ ★ ★ Yes, ★ ★ ★ No, ★ ★ Yes! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2n3819 jfet

For more MPF102 substitutes, see our parts-substitution FAQ.

Differences between parts in the table (above). For our use in a nine-volt preamp, I don't detect any important difference in the more expensive NTE parts. If these FETs are available in the corner store, the convenience might be worthwhile.

One that I don't recommend: NTE456. If you can't find the other parts, an NTE456 will work. Otherwise, it's the least attractive choice. Here are my reasons...

  1. Expense. The NTE 456 is the most expensive of the MPF102-equivalent JFETs. For the high price, this part doesn't deliver any added value, at least not for our audio project.
  2. Source Resistor. The NTE456 isn't a drop-in replacement. It might require a larger source resistor than the other devices use. In my original MPF102 circuit, I use a 560-ohm source resistor. The other replacement JFETs bias fine with this resistor. Yet the NTE456 samples that I tried seem to require something larger, perhaps 680 ohms. What does that mean? It means this: The NTE456 might develop less voltage gain than does a typical MPF102.
  3. Four pins. The NTE456 is a four-pin device. The four pins are: Case, drain, gate and source. The 'case' pin allows you to ground the metal case of the device. In some projects, particularly RF projects, this pin provides a shield effect. If you need to shield your JFET from stray RF fields, you should ground the case pin. Otherwise, the fourth pin is just a nuisance.

Be careful! Only the NTE457 and J113 have the same pinout as the obsolete MPF102. Wire the parts according to the datasheets. Datasheets for the NTE parts and the Fairchild J113 are available online. The J113 is officially a “switching JFET.” I don't know, but it might sound a little different when you bias it for use in an analog circuit. This difference might be distinctive and desirable. Or you might not notice any difference. If you have feelings one way or the other, please drop me a line. (Contact details are at the bottom of this page.) Be particularly careful not to expose the gate pin to static or positive DC voltage. If you connect the gate to the positive supply, the FET probably won't survive. (“Why my guitar gently weeps.”)


Getting the Best Tone

Source Resistor Tweak. For best tone, a slight change to the 560-ohm source resistor might be necessary. As usual, measure the DC, no-signal drain voltage. With a fresh battery, the ideal voltage is from 4.5 to 5.72 volts. To increase the drain voltage, increase the 560-ohm resistor value (Example: 620, 680, 750, 820 ohms and so on). Here's the procedure...

  1. Change to the next higher source resistor value. (Example: Change from 560Ω to 620Ω.)
  2. Remeasure the drain voltage VD.
  3. Voltage OK now? Stop. You've found the right source resistor value.
  4. But: Voltage still too low? Change the source resistor to the next-higher value.
  5. When your voltage is within the ideal voltage range, stop increasing the source resistor value. (Again, the ideal drain voltage range is 4.5 to 5.72 volts.)

To decrease the drain voltage, reduce the 560-ohm resistor value (Example: 470, 390, 330, 220 ohms and so on). If you're within the ideal voltage range, you're fine. Don't worry about perfection.


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WARNING. This is your project. Your achievement is entirely yours. I assume no responsibility for your success in using methods on these pages. If you fail, the same is true. I neither make nor imply any warranty. I don't guarantee the accuracy or effectiveness of these methods. Parts, skill and assembly methods vary. So will your results. Proceed at your own risk.

WARNING. Electronic projects can pose hazards. Soldering irons can burn you. Chassis paint and solder are poisons. Even with battery projects, wiring mistakes can start fires. If the schematic and description on this page baffle you, this project is too advanced. Try something else. Again, damages, injuries and errors are your responsibility. — The Webmaster

Copyright © 2014 by James T. Hawes. All rights reserved.

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In this article you will find all the details about 2N3819 transistor pinout, equivalent, features, specs, applications and other information about this JFET TO-92 package transistor.

Features / Technical Specifications:

  • Package Type: TO-92
  • Transistor Type: N Channel
  • Max Voltage Applied From Drain to Source: 25V
  • Max Drain to Gate Voltage Should Be: 25V
  • Max Reverse Gate to Source Voltage is: 25V
  • Max Continues Gate Current is: 10mA
  • Minimum to Maximum Gate to Source Cuttoff Voltage : 8.0
  • Max Power Dissipation is: 360mW
  • Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: -65 to +150 Centigrade
  • Low Noise & High Gain

Replacement and Equivalent:

2N4416, NTE312, 2N5638, 2N5640, 2SK162, 2SK518 (Please note that pin configuration of some replacement transistors mentioned here may different from 2N3819. Therefore it is suggested to always check pin configuration before replacing in your circuit.)

2N3819 Transistor Explained / Description:

2N3819 is a TO-92 packaged JFET transistor built for VHF and UHF applications. The transistor possesses some very good features like very low noise and distortion, high gain and sensitivity, quality signal amplification and can also be used for very low level signal amplification. Other than that it can also be used as a switch. When used as a switch it is capable of fast switching and can drive loads that falls under 10mA. It also provides high gain at 100MHz.

Where We Can Use it:

Jfet

As described above 2N3819 is mostly built for VHF and UHF applications, Due to its low noise feature, it can be used for amplification of different type of low level signals whether it will be an audio signal or other type of signals in electronics. Other than that it can also be used as a switch and it can handle max load of 10mA. Moreover it also features high gain at 100MHz which also makes it ideal to use in RF applications.

2n3819 Equivalent

Applications:

VHF & UHF applications

Any Low Level Signal Amplification

Sensor Circuits

Audio Amplifier Stages

How to Safely Long Run in a Circuit:

For long term stable performance of 2N3819 it is recommended to always stay 20% below from the max ratings. Does not drive load of more than 10mA through this transistor and the load voltage should be under 25V. Always store and operate it in temperature above -65 Celsius and below +150 Celsius.

2n3819 Pinout

Datasheet:

To Download the datasheet just copy and paste the below link in your browser.

https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/110686/ONSEMI/2N3819/+011798VLLS.xKdtyv.YH+/datasheet.pdf