How To Identify A Semiconductor

By Cary Citro, General Manager
B & D Enterprises
B & D

What is it? - How to identify a semiconductor
In the semiconductor industry today there are many different manufacturers, logos, case styles, and part numbers. Here is a brief overview of how to identify a part by looking at what's marked on the device.

Transistors- Most Japanese or Korean transistors will be marked with an A, B, C, D, J, H or K prefix followed by the part number. Japanese numbers are prefixed with a 2S, or a 3S (even though this may or may not be marked on the part, depending on the case style) and Korean parts with a KS, or KT (for such makers as KEC or Samsung). Just because a part says C2316 doesn't mean it is a 2SC2316 made by Sanken. Samsung also makes a KSC2316, which is a different device altogether. Check the case style and the logo, if any, on the device.

Did you know? - All Japanese semiconductor part numbers are registered to a specific manufacturer by the EIAJ? (Electronic Industry Association of Japan) For example Toshiba makes the 2SD1555, and therefore that part number belongs to Toshiba only. The only time you will see D1555 on a part not made by Toshiba is when a company not registered with the EIAJ produces them, such as some Chinese semiconductor companies.

Did you know? - The Japanese transistor numbering system is organized so that you can tell what type of part it is just by the number? For example all 2SA's and 2SB's are PNP types, all 2SC's and 2SD's are NPN types, and all 2SJ, 2SK's and 3SK's are FET types with the J's being P channel, and the K's being N channel.

Part Number Prefixes- Both the Japanese and American manufacturers use families of prefixes that can easily identify what the manufacturer of the device is. For example:

  • CTB, CTG, CTM, and CTU prefixes = Sanken diodes
  • CXA, CXB, and CXK prefixes = Sony Integrated circuits
  • DBA, DBB, DCA, DFB, DFC, and DFD prefixes = Sanyo diodes
  • DTA, DTB, and DTC prefixes = Rohm transistors
  • ERB, ERC, ERD, ESAC, ESJA, and ESJC prefixes = Fuji diodes
  • FMB, FMG, FML, and FMU prefixes = Sanken diodes
  • FT prefixes = Fujitsu Integrated circuits
  • HA, HB, HC, HD, HG, HM and HS prefixes = Hitachi Integrated circuits
  • LA, LB, LC, and LE prefixes = Sanyo Integrated circuits
  • SI, STR, STRD, STRM, STRS and STRZ prefixes = Sanken Integrated circuits
  • SLA, SMA, and STA prefixes = Sanken transistor arrays
  • STK prefixes = Sanyo thick film IC's
  • TA, TB, TC, and TD prefixes = Toshiba Integrated circuits
  • UPA, UPB, UPC, and UPD prefixes = NEC Integrated circuits
  • VPA, VPH, VPM and VPS prefixes = Sanyo video packs

    • There are many more families of components made by other manufacturers. Also these prefixes are a good general rule of thumb, not an exact science. Since so many manufacturers of semiconductors exist there will always be exceptions to this guideline, but for 98% or so these guidelines will be correct. Again, check your case style, know your spec, and look for logos on the device.

    OEM? Or not OEM?
    I hear this statement made many times by service people that think that buying a semiconductor from the consumer goods division parts source, or one of their distributors, is the only way to ensure that they get an "OEM original device".

    Let me say this," Consumer product groups of certain Japanese companies have completely different divisions that manufacture the semiconductors." They buy their parts from the semiconductor divisions, or their distributors. The division that makes the TV doesn't make the semiconductor. So just because you don't buy the device from a consumer product parts depot, or one of their distributors, doesn't mean your not getting an original device.

    The correct semiconductor manufacturer makes it and it meets published specs, or it doesn't. Don't get me wrong, some consumer product divisions do have semiconductors specially made, tested and sorted, programmed, or branded with internal house or schematic numbers.

    Sometimes you must deal with the consumer divisions to get a custom part, there's no way around it. But, buying a component that is a standard device can be done anywhere as long as you get a device that is not re-branded, pulled, or a cheap imitation. STR-S6301 is a Sanken device, period. Buying from a consumer product division verses a non-consumer product source is irrelevant. You either get a Sanken IC, or you do not. To say that one source is "OEM" when another source is "generic" is redundant. The part meets Sanken specification, or it does not. In a case like the STR-S6301 there are very little chances of getting a fake device because the IC is difficult to produce, unlike a H.O.T., which can be readily faked. The same can be said of the Sanyo STK series. These also would be very difficult to fake.

    It is up to you as to where you source your semiconductors, but always be sure to use a source that will guarantee their parts to be new and originally manufactured by the correct semiconductor makers. I hope this information is of assistance to you and if you have further semiconductor questions, please don't hesitate to call our engineering department at 814-757-8300.

    Cary Citro,  General Manager
    B&D Enterprises
    Main & Liberty St.
    PO Box 460
    Russell, PA 16345
    Visit our Website at     http://www.bdent.com
    800-458-6053 sales
    814-757-5400 fax
    814-757-8300 engineering