EXPERIMENT 9: COMMON COLLECTOR

AMPLIFIER
I. OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate the amplifying action of a bipolar junction transistor as common-collector
amplifier circuit configuration.

2. To determine the dc operating voltages of common-collector amplifier configuration.

3. To simulate the output signal of a common-collector using oscilloscope with the given input
signal and its voltage phase relationship.

II. BASIC CONCEPT

A common-collector amplifier has very low voltage gain (slightly less than or equal to unity). It is
because the output voltage is almost equal to the input voltage. Also, a common-collector amplifier
exhibits a very high output current compared to the input current. Thus, it exhibits a very high current
gain.

And since the common-collector amplifier has zero degrees phase-shift, and the output voltage
waveform in the emitter is almost identical to the input voltage waveform in the collector (the emitter
‘follows’ the collector), the common-collector amplifier is also called as emitter-follower.

Other characteristics of a common-collector amplifier include high input impedance and a low
output impedance.

III. MATERIALS
Quantity Description
1 470ohm (1/2 W)
1 22Kohm (1/2 W)
1 100Kohm (1/2 W)
1 2N2222 NPN transistor
2 1 uF capacitors
1 0 – 15V DC Power Supply
1 VOM
1 Dual Trace Oscilloscope
1 Signal Generator
1 Breadboard
1 set of connecting wires

IV. WIRING DIAGRAMS

Figure 9.1 Common-Collector Amplifier Circuit

V. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 9.1.

2. Before connecting the signal generator to the input, measure the V c,VB, VE, VBE and VCE. Record the
result in Table 9.1.
3. Connect the signal generator to the input and set it to 1KHz with amplitude of 1 Vp-p.
4. Place the oscilloscope probe ch1 at the input (base ground) to measure the input voltage.
5. Draw the input signal indicating its peak-to-peak voltage and record in its proper order setting of the
vertical attenuator of the oscilloscope marked V/division.
6. Using oscilloscope probe ch2, measure the output voltage (Vout) at C E to ground.
7. Draw the output signal indicating its peak-to-peak voltage and record in its proper order setting of the
vertical attenuator of the oscilloscope marked V/division.
8. Calculate the voltage gain of the amplifier from the formula Av = Vout / Vin and record it in Table 9.1.
9. Also, compute the Vc,VB, VE, VBE and VCE and expected gain. Record them in the table. Compare the
measured value from that of the expected value.

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 9.1

PARAMETER MEASURED VALUE EXPECTED VALUE % ERROR

VB
VC
VE
VCE
VBE
Av

VII. SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

VIII. GRAPHS

IX. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

X. CONCLUSIONS
XI. QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS
1. Describe the gain characteristics and circuit recognition features of the common collector amplifier.
2. What are the effects of loading on the value of Av, for an emitter follower?
3. Describe the over-all ac analysis procedure for a common collector.