Step 1. It is a common practice to take RE = 500 − 1000Ω. Greater the value of RE, better is the stabilisation. However, if RE is very large, higher voltage drop across it leaves reduced voltage drop across the collector load. Consequently, the output is decreased. Therefore, a compromise has to be made in the selection of the value of RE.
Step 2. The zero signal current IC is chosen according to the signal swing. However, in the initial stages of most transistor amplifiers, zero signal IC = 1mA is sufficient. The major advantages of selecting this value are :
(i) Theoutputimpedanceofatransistorisveryhighat1mA.Thisincreasesthevoltagegain. (ii) Thereislittledangerofoverheatingas1mAisquiteasmallcollectorcurrent.
It may be noted here that working the transistor below zero signal IC = 1mA is not advisable
because of strongly non-linear transistor characteristics.