A circuit topology that combines a PNP and an NPN bipolar junction transistor to act as a single high-gain device. Unlike a Darlington pair which uses two transistors of the same polarity, the Sziklai pair requires only one base-emitter voltage drop to turn on. This makes it more thermally stable and efficient in audio amplifier output stages.
We used a Sziklai pair in the output stage to avoid the thermal runaway issues we had with the Darlington setup.
Also heard as
- compound transistor
Do not mix it up with
- Darlington pair: A Darlington pair uses two transistors of the same polarity (e.g., two NPNs), while a Sziklai pair mixes one NPN and one PNP.
Related terms
Darlington pair
Two bipolar transistors connected to act as a single unit with highly multiplied current gain.
Base
The control terminal of a bipolar junction transistor.
Emitter
The emitter is one of the three terminals of a bipolar junction transistor.
Collector
One of the three terminals of a bipolar junction transistor, responsible for receiving the majority charge carriers.