Assistance with Transistor Theory

[LvW]

OK - I will try to answer your questions:

Semiconductor physics are not relevant to me because I do not have a fab facility at my disposal, nor is a deep understanding of physics necessary to read a manufacturer's datasheet.

Agreed - no "deep understanding" necessary. However, that`s not the point.
Did I speak about such a "deep understanding"?
However, the question if it is the voltage or the current at the inport port of the transistor which determines its output quantity, touches the main property of the BJT, does it not?
Circuit design (without simply following a cookbook approach) - and, in particular, invention of new circuits - is not possible without knowledge of the input-output characteristic..

So tell me how to drive a transistor into saturation using anything other than the base current.

As you have mentioned the datasheet: A short look into the BJT`s data sheet gives me the range of values (min, max) for the base-emitter saturation voltage Vbe,sat.

EDIT: I am aware that my last answer was a bit "sloppy". Of course, I know that for switching applications and because of practical reasons (protection of the BJT) we use a base series resistor; but this does not alter the BJT properties.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

I'm outta here!

 

[KJ6EAD]

I'm outta here!

"Annoyance with Transistor Theory?"

I've been enlightened reading this thread. It stretched my technician-sized brain a bit so I want to thank all the major contributors. I don't mind that there are competing points of view as long as everyone's civil and the discussion doesn't get too redundant.

 

[davenn]

OK .... I think this thread has run its course
for the last at least 5 pages its been going in a circular motion

Regards
Dave