Early effect states the collector current increases as we increase CE voltage in a common emmiter circuit due to base-width modulation. But does the Early effect change the base current? Does base current remain constant or does it change?
It depends on the forcing function.Early effect states the collector current increases as we increase CE voltage in a common emmiter circuit due to base-width modulation. But does the Early effect change the base current? Does base current remain constant or does it change?
But HFE is modulated by Vce.If CE current increases then so does base current.
Base current will be CE current / HFE.
This is one of those times where it would have been useful to quote the post you were replying to. You said "not necessarily". Not necessarily what? I assume you were replying to post #2.Not necessarily: the base current may be determined by external circuit constraints, such as a high-impedance current source.
In particular, the Early effect can be evaluated from measurements of the Ic vs Vce characteristics obtained as a family of curves with base current as a parameter, where the base current is held constant for each individual curve.
In this case the base current is determined independently, not as a function of other things.
Edit: Others have put this better: Early effect modifies β.
in this context this comment seemed likely to mislead the OP, given that here HFE is not fixed.If CE current increases then so does base current. Base current will be CE current / HFE.
Ahh, a fellow geezer!I did not put that very well. I had wanted pretty much to contradict post #2, in the sense that although it usually true that in this context this comment seemed likely to mislead the OP, given that here HFE is not fixed.
That started me off woffling about characteristic curves, and how the effect could be measured. When I saw your comment about HFE being modulated by Vce, this was clearly a better approach. Unfortunately by then I had submitted my post. (I have never been very fast typing, and now some deterioration of the faculties has slowed me down even more.)
Good stuff,Claude!http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=169710
On another forum this issue was thoroughly examined. I posted several detailed treatises on Early effect. I will clarify if necessary.
Claude