What does Complementary Means?

[Shahriar]

Hi

In Transistor datasheet there is alays a word “Complementary”. For example TIP42 is TIP41 Complement. What does this mean?

ThanX
Shahriar

 

[2old4digital]

Here is a possible answer ;  The inverse or opposite of a number used in Logic devices, so the second # is the opposite of the first # a  1  becomes 0 or high become low, or A becomes  (not) A. Or in this case it, could mean that eather or will work in each others place, so if you have both check the resistance of both.

 

[ECET0purdue]

- Strawberries and cream complement each other perfectly.

maybe they go good together...or they tast good?

 

[audioguru2]

An audio power amplifier needs a push-pull output stage. It can use two identical NPN transistors or a complimentary pair with an NPN for one transistor and a PNP transistor for the other. An NPN is complimentary to the PNP. ;D

 

[Alun]

This applies to MOSFETs too; CMOS ICs have a complementary pair on the output.

 

[Shahriar]

ThanX all

Dear Audioguru
Obviously, NPN is a complimentary of PNP. But when it is mentioned that TIP41 is Complementary of TOP42, I think it means to using these two together is better. But what Parameters makes TIP42 suitable to use it with TIP41?

ThanX
Shahriar

 

[Alun]

The TIP42 is a complement to the TIP41 because it has the same characteristics except for the fact that it's a PNP transistor.