| Created by |
|
| Created | April 12, 2023 |
| Last modified | April 12, 2023 |
| Tags | drive mcu pnp zener-diode |
How to drive a PNP (as a switch) from a low voltage MCU I/O port, using only a Zener diode.
To open a circuit with a PNP, we need a voltage at the base close to the voltage at the emitter, and to close the circuit, we need a voltage at the base "far" from the emitter (such as grounding the base).
But how to do it with an MCU only able to deliver 3.3V from its I/O pin, if the load needs, say, around 12 Volt?
A simple solution (that I copied from Cyrob), is to use a Zener diode.
Not convinced? run the simulation and observe that as the MCU goes from 3.3V to 0V, the load get activated.
No comments yet. Be the first!
Please sign in or create an account to comment.
Only the circuit's creator can access stored revision history.
