RCA CA3183AE Transistor array - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: RichardM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 12:16:32 pm
content: Hi All,I am repairing a Fluke 8502a multimeter, well trying to, and I have found one faulty DIP16 on the A/D Board so far. It is stated as a CA3183 Transistor array and it looks like it was made by RCA. A datasheet by Intersil also exists. Question is where is the best place to find one of these or alternatively is there a suitable replacement ? Can you simply use discrete transistors instead ?RegardsRichard

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 02:07:54 pm
content: IT looks like the transistor arrays are just used as normal transistor switches with no real need for matching. So a replacement with normal separate transistors should be OK. Just to be sure, which chips is the one in question ?

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 02:56:57 pm
content: Transistors in chip arrays have very closely matched characteristics as they are guaranteed to be from the same wafer, they also exhibit very close thermal matching so there would usually be a reason for using them such as differential amplifiers etc. I would not recommend replacing them/it with discrete's unless the circuit is general purpose in nature.Here is at least one sourcehttps://www.jotrin.com/product/parts/CA3183

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 05:15:43 pm
content: Quite a few transistor arrays (e.g. U14,U15,U17,U23,U38) are used just as switches to control JFETs. So single transistors would be no problem there.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 07:51:33 pm
content: https://alfarzpp.lv/eng/sc/semiconductor.phpmake obsolete parts like CA3046

author: Roger Need
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 09:08:55 pm
content: A CA3183 is available on eBay from a Canadian supplier I have used in the past for parts.https://www.ebay.com/itm/143957202248Here is an American supplier but I have not dealt with them beforehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/392379813448Roger

author: RichardM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 09:32:43 pm
content: Ok, thanks all. I put a DIP socket in place so no harm in trying discrete transistors.I will try to order from the Canada link also.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 10:01:55 pm
content: If the transistor is used for simple switching, I have even just jumped out the bad transistor with a comparable transistor. Worked fine. Sometimes one or two transistors are not used and can be wired in.Some of the arrays are made with some of the transistors in special configurations and I think this was the purpose of many of these arrays, but most of them are just used when a bunch of transistors perform similar tasks, at least that is what I have observed.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 10:25:33 pm
content: RCA had some very useful monolithic NPN transistor arrays that combined good matching with high-frequency gain.I used them in specialized circuits, such as balanced mixers, before RCA disappeared.The CA3183 was part of that series, but its main feature was a high collector-emitter voltage rating (40 or 50 V).Be sure your replacement can withstand the voltage present in the circuit.