Product Overview
Motorola 2N652A: a germanium PNP small signal transistor in a black metal can
Condition
Condition is New. The photos show a black painted metal can with a gold colored seam at the top rim, a white type marking reading S 2N652A around the side, and three gold colored leads that run full length and untrimmed, carrying a gentle wave, with no solder or cut marks visible on them. Three frames hold the can between fingertips so the marking can be read from more than one angle, and the fourth lays it on the photo bench foam with the leads fanned out. Stock here is one, so the piece in these photos is the piece that ships.
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Product Overview
The 2N652A is a PNP germanium bipolar transistor, a single element small signal device, and our record rates it at 0.5A collector current. It comes in the small metal can of the germanium alloy era: a black painted body, a gold colored seam where the header meets the can, and three long gold colored leads. The white marking on the can reads S 2N652A, with the letter S standing ahead of the type number, and brand on this record is Motorola. Being PNP germanium, it belongs in the negative supply, positive ground circuits typical of 1960s portable radios, small audio stages and early instrumentation, and it behaves differently from a modern silicon part: a lower base to emitter forward drop, more leakage, and real sensitivity to heat. Breakdown voltages, gain grouping and frequency limits are not confirmed here. Verify against the 2N652A datasheet before use.
Key Features
- PNP germanium bipolar transistor, single element, small signal class
- Collector current rated 0.5A on our record for this part
- Small black painted metal can with a gold colored rim seam
- Three gold colored leads, full length and untrimmed, with a gentle wave in the photos
- Type marking on the can reads S 2N652A, legible across three of the four frames
- Stock of one, so the photographed piece is the piece sold
- Breakdown voltages, hFE grouping and cutoff frequency not confirmed. Verify against the datasheet before use
Applications
- A radio restorer replacing a failed germanium PNP in a 1960s transistor portable instead of forcing a silicon substitute into a positive ground chassis
- A pedal builder who wants a germanium PNP candidate to measure for gain and leakage before it goes into a fuzz or treble booster
- An instructor putting a germanium junction next to a silicon device on the same curve tracer so students can see the difference
- A collector documenting early Motorola semiconductor packaging, painted cans and gold leads included
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is printed on the can?
The white marking reads S 2N652A. The first photo catches 2N652, the second catches 652A from the other side, the third shows the letter S sitting ahead of the number, and the fourth shows the whole can on the bench. Brand on this record is Motorola.
What is not specified with this listing?
No electrical measurements are published here. Collector to emitter breakdown, hFE grouping and leakage at temperature are not confirmed, so if your circuit depends on a gain window, plan to measure the device yourself and check it against the 2N652A datasheet.
Anything special about soldering a germanium part?
Yes. Germanium junctions are far more heat sensitive than silicon. Put a heat sink clip on the lead between the iron and the can, keep iron time short, and if you are socketing it for gain matching, bend the leads gently and at a distance from the can body.
Why buy this one photographed piece instead of a bag of unmarked germanium cans?
Because you can see this one before you buy it. The can is photographed from several angles with its marking legible, stock is one, and nothing has to be guessed from a grainy bag shot or sorted out of a pile where half the cans have rubbed blank. You buy the single device you need, priced on its own. Shipping is a flat $8 for the order, free once the order passes $28, and it leaves our Idaho warehouse the same or next business day.
Motorola was turning out germanium alloy cans like this one while silicon was still the newcomer, and this one still carries its leads full length and untrimmed. Measure it, then decide whether it goes back into a radio chassis or into something that fuzzes.
