Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.

Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage

Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

Experiment-11
JFET Transistor as a Switch

11-1 Object:
To study the characteristics of JFET transistor as a switch in cut-off and
saturation region.

11-2 Theory:
One of the main applications of JFET is the switching. The idea lines in using
only two points of the charge line: the one cut-off and the one of saturation. When the
JFET is in cut-off, it behaves as an open switch. When it is saturated, it behaves as a
closed switch.

Figure (11-1) shows a JFET with the supplier to ground. When VGS is zero the
JFET is in saturation, therefore drain current does flow (closed switch). When VGS is
equal or more negative than the strangulation voltage, the JFET does not conduct
(open switch).

Figure (11-1) analogical switch of JFET transistor

11-3 Procedures:
Port I: n-channel JFET

1. Connect the circuit of fixed bias configuration n-channel JFET shown in

figure (11-2).
2. Set VGS from potentiometer at pinch-off voltage VP which is (-4 V), and set
VDD at (20 V).
3. Connect measuring meter to measure VGS, ID, and VDS.
4. Set switch J1 at ON state, and switch J2 at OFF state, and record the reading of
ID, and VDS at table (11-1) and find channel resistance Rch.
Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.
Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage
Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

Figure (11-2) n-channel JFET transistor as a switch

5. Set switch J1 at OFF state, and switch J2 at ON state, and record the reading of
ID, and VDS at table (11-1) and find channel resistance Rch.

Table (11-1)
Channel Resistance
VGS (V) ID (mA) VDS (V)
[Rch = VDS/ID] (Ω)
0
-4

Port II: P-channel JFET

6. Connect the circuit of fixed bias configuration P-channel JFET shown in

figure (11-3).
7. Set VGS from potentiometer at pinch-off voltage VP which is (+6 V), and set
VDD at (- 5 V).
8. Connect measuring meter to measure VGS, ID, and VDS.
9. Set switch J3 at ON state, and switch J4 at OFF state, and record the reading of
ID, and VDS at table (11-2) and find channel resistance Rch.
Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.
Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage
Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

Figure (11-3) p-channel JFET transistor as a switch

10. Set switch J3 at OFF state, and switch J4 at ON state, and record the reading of
ID, and VDS at table (11-2) and find channel resistance Rch.

Table (11-2)
Channel Resistance
VGS (V) ID (mA) VDS (V)
[Rch = VDS/ID] (Ω)
0
+6

11-4 Discussion:

1. Comment on your result in two tables above.

2. For n-channel JFET the value of Rch at cut off is ---------, and Rch at saturation
is -----------.
3. Why is there a great deference between the value of Rch between cut off and
saturation state.
4. Compare between BJT 's and JFET 's as a switch for: [speed of response,
easiness for control, and which one is prefer in electronics circuits].