Why are transistors called "Q"?

From: James Fogg <james_at_jdfogg.com>
Date: Fri Feb 25 21:48:21 2005

On Fri, 2005-02-25 at 20:52 -0500, David V. Corbin wrote:
> >>> Here's a question that came up at the office when a
> >>> colleague looked at a PCB and asked "why are the
> >>> transistors labelled with Q?" Well, I suggested it might
> >>> be to avoid a clash with "T" for transformer.
> >>> Or maybe "Q" represents a generic semiconductor, such as a
> >>> FET, SCR or triac. Or is there some other reason?
> >>>
>
> It is in one of the following three ANSI standards:
>
> Y1.1-1972
> Y10.5-1968
> Y10.19-1969

Also, isn't the gain of a transistor called "Q"? Or some other
characteristic?
Received on Fri Feb 25 2005 - 21:48:21 GMT