TIP120 STMicroelectronics Transistor Darlington Pair (Transistor Outline, Vertical) In Stock
TIP120 is an NPN Darlington power transistor from STMicroelectronics rated at 60 V collector-emitter voltage and 5 A continuous collector current with a minimum hFE of 1000, housed in a TO-220AB package. It features an integrated freewheeling diode and base resistors for direct logic-level driven inductive load control.
- Manufacturer
- STMicroelectronics
- Package
- Transistor Outline, Vertical
- Pin Count
- 3
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- TIP120 Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Transistor Darlington Pair
- Price
- From $0.1920(MOQ 10)
- Temp Range
- ?°C to 150.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of TIP120?
- NPN Darlington pair with minimum DC current gain (hFE) of 1000, the highest among common TO-220 Darlington devices, enabling 5 A switching directly from microcontroller or logic gate outputs
- Integrated built-in freewheeling diode and base-emitter resistors eliminate external protection components when switching DC motors, relays, or solenoids up to 60 V
- Complementary pair compatibility with TIP125 PNP Darlington allows straightforward H-bridge and push-pull stage construction in a familiar TO-220AB footprint
What is TIP120 used for?
The TIP120 is widely used in hobbyist and professional motor control projects, relay drivers, and LED array switchers operating from 5 V or 12 V logic rails at up to 60 V and 5 A. Its hFE of 1000 allows direct drive from a 3.3 V or 5 V GPIO pin without a separate buffer stage, making it a popular choice in Arduino-based robotics, stepper motor drives, and solenoid actuators in low-voltage industrial control systems.
What are the specifications of TIP120?
| Factory Lead Time | 14Weeks |
| YTEOL | 9 |
| Collector Current-Max (IC) | 5A |
| Collector-Emitter Voltage-Max | 60V |
| Configuration | DARLINGTON WITH BUILT-IN DIODE AND RESISTOR |
| DC Current Gain-Min (hFE) | 1000 |
| JEDEC-95 Code | TO-220AB |
| JESD-30 Code | R-PSFM-T3 |
| JESD-609 Code | e3 |
| Number of Elements | 1 |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| Package Style | FLANGE MOUNT |
| Peak Reflow Temperature (Cel) | NOT SPECIFIED |
| Polarity/Channel Type | NPN |
| Power Dissipation Ambient-Max | 65W |
| Power Dissipation-Max (Abs) | 65W |
| Qualification Status | Not Qualified |
| Surface Mount | NO |
| Terminal Finish | Matte Tin (Sn) |
| Terminal Form | THROUGH-HOLE |
| Terminal Position | SINGLE |
| Time@Peak Reflow Temperature-Max (s) | NOT SPECIFIED |
| Transistor Application | SWITCHING |
| Transistor Element Material | SILICON |
| VCEsat-Max | 4V |
| ## TIP120 Alternates Showing results | Image |
| Package | Transistor Outline, Vertical |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| HTS Code | 8541.29.00.95 |
| Country of Origin | Mainland China |
Where can I find the TIP120 datasheet?
TIP120 Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from STMicroelectronics
What are equivalent replacements for TIP120?
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for TIP120:
suggested
suggested
suggested
suggested
Power Bipolar Transistor, 5A I(C), 60V V(BR)CEO, 1-Element, NPN, Silicon, TO-220AB, Plastic/Epoxy, 3 Pin
Power Bipolar Transistor, 5A I(C), 100V V(BR)CEO, 1-Element, NPN, Silicon, TO-220AB, Plastic/Epoxy, 3 Pin
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 3.3 V microcontroller GPIO directly drive the TIP120 to switch a 5 A load?
Yes. With a minimum DC current gain (hFE) of 1000, the TIP120 requires a base drive of only about 5 mA to switch 5 A through a 60 V load, well within the source current of most 3.3 V GPIO pins; a 680-ohm series base resistor is typically sufficient to limit drive current while ensuring saturation.
How does TIP120's hFE of 1000 compare to similar 80 V Darlington devices like the BDX54B?
The TIP120 offers a minimum hFE of 1000 versus 750 for the BDX54B, meaning the TIP120 requires 25% less base drive current to saturate at full load, though it trades this for a lower 60 V collector-emitter breakdown versus 80 V, making TIP120 better suited for 5 V to 24 V supply applications where extra current gain matters more than voltage headroom.
What inductive-load protection does the TIP120 provide internally?
The TIP120 integrates a freewheeling diode connected across the collector and emitter internally, clamping inductive kickback voltage spikes when switching DC motors or relays at up to 5 A and 60 V, which eliminates the need for a separate fast-recovery or Schottky diode in parallel with the load.
Is TIP120 suitable for use in a PWM motor speed controller at 20 kHz?
The TIP120 can be used in PWM control circuits, though its Darlington structure introduces a saturation voltage of about 1 V to 2 V at 5 A and a relatively slow turn-off time; for PWM frequencies beyond 20 kHz the switching losses may become significant, and at those frequencies a power MOSFET with a gate driver would typically offer better efficiency than the TIP120 in a 60 V motor drive application.
Related Guides
CSD87313DMS Synchronous Buck Power Stage Design Guide
Design a compact CSD87313DMS synchronous buck stage with practical guidance for loss, gate drive, PCB layout, EMI, thermal validation, and sourcing.
Aug 6, 2026
STEF05SGR eFuse Selection Guide for 5 V Overcurrent Protection
Choose STEF05SGR for 5 V overcurrent protection by checking current-limit margin, inrush, thermal loss, fault response, and sourcing.
Aug 6, 2026
C0402C103K3RACTU Selection Guide: Choosing a 10 nF 0402 MLCC
Select C0402C103K3RACTU by voltage margin, X7R behavior, tolerance, 0402 assembly risk, and qualified alternatives.
Aug 4, 2026
STM32H753VIT6 MCU Selection Guide: Memory, Package, Connectivity, and Security
Choose STM32H753VIT6 by evaluating memory architecture, LQFP-100 pin fit, connectivity, security, power, and sourcing tradeoffs.
Aug 4, 2026
Why Buy from FindMyChip
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications. ST's products are found in a wide range of applications including automotive, industrial, personal electronics, and communications.
| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10+ | $0.5100 | $5.10 |
| 50+ | $0.2250 | $11.25 |
| 250+ | $0.2130 | $53.25 |
| 1000+ | $0.1920 | $192.00 |
In Stock · 24h Response · Worldwide Shipping
Response within 24 hours · Worldwide shipping
“Response time is incredible — usually under 4 hours. They understand that production lines can't wait.”
You May Also Like
BST52TA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
BCV46TA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
FMMT734TA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
ZXTN04120HFFTA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
FMMT634TA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
NTE243
NTE ELECTRONICS
Transistor Darlington Pair
FZT603TA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
MMBTA64LT1G
ON Semiconductor
Transistor Darlington Pair
FMMT38CTA
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
ZTX705
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
BCV47E6327HTSA1
Infineon
Transistor Darlington Pair
BCV 47 E6327
Infineon
Transistor Darlington Pair
BSP50,115
Nexperia
Transistor Darlington Pair
ULN2003V12T16-13
Diodes Inc.
Transistor Darlington Pair
SMMBT6427LT1G
ON Semiconductor
Transistor Darlington Pair
SMMBTA13LT1G
ON Semiconductor
Transistor Darlington Pair
MJB5742T4G
ON Semiconductor
Transistor Darlington Pair
TLC59213AIPWT
Texas Instruments
Transistor Darlington Pair