Starting this post so I can have a reference to point to when someone asks about 'what can I use to replace this transistor?' When such a question is asked, it is important to note the case style of the original, and that is the point of this thread...to assist in the identification of the part in question.
Note that technically, the case style also indicates the lead layout (CBE, BCE, etc, etc...) Manufacturers flaunt these conventions as it suits them, so do NOT rely on this pic for lead identification. And of course, nothing here is to any kind of scale...
Note about TO-220's. There are a lot of new designs where the traditional metal mounting tab (which is at the same potential as the collector, and in need of electrical isolation in most cases where it contacts a heatsink) is encased in plastic. These plastic-tabbed TO-220's are also called TO-220D's or TO-220F's, and of course do not require electrical insulation of the mounting tab. The only time these cannot be used as a viable substitute for a metal tab TO-220 is in situations where the tab is actually used to conduct current instead of the center collector lead (Sansui does this often on much of their older gear).
It would be nice if this were a sticky...
Note that technically, the case style also indicates the lead layout (CBE, BCE, etc, etc...) Manufacturers flaunt these conventions as it suits them, so do NOT rely on this pic for lead identification. And of course, nothing here is to any kind of scale...
Note about TO-220's. There are a lot of new designs where the traditional metal mounting tab (which is at the same potential as the collector, and in need of electrical isolation in most cases where it contacts a heatsink) is encased in plastic. These plastic-tabbed TO-220's are also called TO-220D's or TO-220F's, and of course do not require electrical insulation of the mounting tab. The only time these cannot be used as a viable substitute for a metal tab TO-220 is in situations where the tab is actually used to conduct current instead of the center collector lead (Sansui does this often on much of their older gear).
It would be nice if this were a sticky...
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