Attention: Transistors can be destroyed if a voltage is applied directly, without resistance, between connections B (base) and E (emitter) or connections C (collector) and E! Transistors are electronic switches that are not operated manually, like a light switch, but by a current flow at their B terminal. The switched current flow can then be experienced between the C and E contacts. The switched current flow (C to E) must not exceed 0.8A in order to avoid destruction of the component. An npn transistor is driven positively at its base opposite the emitter.