Product Overview
Fairchild FPN4946 PNP Epitaxial Silicon Transistor - TO-92 E-B-C Pinout, Vintage NOS Small Signal Switching and Amplification
Condition
Unused NOS. Sourced from an electronics distributor consolidating inventory. Molded body reads FPN / 4946 / EBC on the face; three straight leads show light oxidation patina consistent with age - no damage. Visual inspection passed. Function testing not performed.
Same or next business day shipping from our Idaho warehouse. Reliable parts since 1999. Honest pricing, no nonsense.
We are here for our customers, with a no-hassle satisfaction guarantee.
Product Overview
Fairchild FPN4946 is a PNP epitaxial silicon transistor in a TO-92 plastic package, designed for general-purpose small-signal switching and amplification. The pinout is E-B-C (Emitter-Base-Collector) as molded on the package face - confirmed by photo evidence. Functions as a legacy polarity-matched counterpart to classic small-signal PNP lines in the PN2907 configuration. Discrete component; no special ecosystem required beyond the circuit it is placed into.
Key Features
- Type: PNP epitaxial silicon bipolar junction transistor (BJT)
- Package: TO-92 plastic, three straight leads
- Pinout: E-B-C (Emitter-Base-Collector) - molded on package face, confirmed by photo
- Application class: small-signal switching and amplification
- Cross-reference configuration: legacy polarity-matched counterpart similar to PN2907
- Manufacturer: Fairchild Semiconductor
- Condition: unused NOS - leads and body intact, light age patina on leads only
Applications
- Vintage audio repair: desoldering a failed PNP transistor from an aging amplifier stage and dropping the FPN4946 into the same footprint without board modification
- Vintage radio and consumer electronics restoration: replacing a shorted or open small-signal PNP in a receiver or tuner where the original TO-92 E-B-C pinout must be preserved to match the PCB pad orientation
- Hobbyist breadboarding: wiring a PNP switching stage for a low-power logic-controlled relay or LED driver circuit on a prototype board
- Learning and teaching: demonstrating PNP biasing, common-emitter amplifier configurations, or transistor-as-switch experiments in a classroom or home lab
- Retro computing and chiptune builds: populating a custom PCB that calls for a PNP small-signal device in an audio output or signal-routing stage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pinout and how do I orient it in my circuit?
The pinout is E-B-C - Emitter, Base, Collector - reading left to right when the flat face of the TO-92 body is facing you. This is molded directly on the package and confirmed by photo of the specific units being sold.
Is this a direct drop-in for a PN2907 or 2N3906?
The FPN4946 is a PNP small-signal TO-92 transistor in the same configuration as the PN2907. Whether it is electrically interchangeable in your specific circuit depends on your circuit's voltage, current, and gain requirements. The PN2907 and 2N3906 share the same package and polarity, but exact electrical parameters can differ across part numbers. Verify your circuit's requirements against the FPN4946 before substituting.
What circuits is this NOT suitable for?
The TO-92 package has limited heat dissipation - this is a small-signal part, not suitable for high-power or high-current stages. It is also not a substitute for NPN transistors; swapping polarity requires circuit redesign.
Is function testing included?
Function testing was not performed. These are unused NOS components sourced from a distributor inventory consolidation. Visual inspection passed - leads and body are intact.
Vintage components like this one sat in a parts bin for decades waiting for exactly the circuit that needs them. Now the FPN4946 is your move.
