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
Key Features
- 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
Applications
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.
Specifications
| 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 |
Alternate & Equivalent Parts
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.
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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 |
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