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Home > Products > Discrete Semiconductor Products > Transistors > Bipolar (BJT) > Single Bipolar Transistors

onsemi 2N6388

Name: 2N6388
Brand: onsemi
SKU: 2N6388
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: 2N6388

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-220-3

Datasheet:: 2N6388.pdf

Description:: TRANS NPN DARL 80V 10A TO-220

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

2N6388 from onsemi is a Darlington NPN silicon power transistor in TO-220AB package, rated for 80 V_CEO(sus), 10 A continuous collector current, and 65 W total power dissipation at T_C = 25°C. It delivers high DC current gain (h_FE = 1000 min @ I_C = 5 A), low saturation voltage (V_CE(sat) = 2.0 V max @ I_C = 5 A), and is optimized for low-speed switching and general-purpose amplifier applications in industrial controls and power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the 2N6388 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include its 80 V sustaining voltage rating, built-in base-emitter shunt resistors, thermal resistance (R_JC = 1.92 °C/W), TO-220 mechanical outline (Case 221A, Style 1), and Darlington configuration enabling high input impedance with single-base drive.

Technical Context

The 2N6388 is a monolithic Darlington pair with integrated base-emitter shunt resistors, eliminating external bias components. Its structure supports high-current switching with minimal base drive-requiring only 20 mA base current to saturate at 5 A collector current (I_C/I_B = 250).

It operates within −65°C to +150°C junction temperature range and exhibits second-breakdown-limited safe operating area (SOA) up to 60 V and 10 A under pulsed conditions. Thermal performance is constrained by junction-to-case resistance (1.92 °C/W), making heatsink mounting essential for sustained >2 W dissipation.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO(sus)	80 Vdc minimum - sustains 80 V between collector and emitter at I_C = 100 mA with zero base current, defining maximum off-state blocking capability.
I_C Continuous	10 Adc - maximum continuous collector current without exceeding thermal or SOA limits at T_C = 25°C.
P_D @ T_C = 25°C	65 W - maximum power dissipation when case temperature is maintained at 25°C; requires active heatsinking for full rating.
h_FE	1000 min @ I_C = 5 A, V_CE = 3 V - ensures low base drive requirement (≤5 mA per amp of collector current) in linear or saturated operation.
V_CE(sat)	2.0 V max @ I_C = 5 A, I_B = 0.01 A - limits conduction loss to ≤10 W at 5 A, critical for efficiency in relay drivers and motor controls.
R_JC	1.92 °C/W - defines thermal bottleneck from junction to case; mandates mechanical interface <0.5 °C/W to ambient for 65 W operation.

Pinout & Package

2N6388 is housed in TO-220AB package (Case 221A, Style 1), with 3 leads and metal tab connected to collector. The package features 10.10 × 15.12 × 4.45 mm footprint, 2.54 mm lead pitch, and Pb-free plating (marked "2N6388G"). Mounting requires insulated hardware due to collector-tab isolation.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1	Base	Control input node; accepts low-current drive (≤250 mA max) to switch high collector current via Darlington gain.
2	Collector	Main power output terminal; electrically tied to metal tab-must be isolated from heatsink unless system ground reference permits.
3	Emiter	Power return path; common emitter configuration enables standard NPN logic-level interfacing with pull-down load.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Monolithic Darlington construction	Integrates driver and output transistors on one die, enabling h_FE ≥ 1000 with single-base control and no external interstage components.
Built-in base-emitter shunt resistors	Ensures reliable turn-off without external pull-down; eliminates risk of latch-up in high-noise industrial environments.
TO-220AB compact power package	Supports 65 W dissipation with standard heatsink mounting; standardized footprint allows drop-in replacement across legacy 2N63xx series.
JEDEC-compliant ratings	Validated 80 V_CEO(sus), 10 A_C, and −65°C to +150°C operation per JEDEC JESD78 and JESD22 standards.

Applications

Industrial Relay Drivers	DC Motor Start/Stop Control
Use Scenario: Driving 24–48 VDC electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules requiring >5 A coil current handling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain Darlington switch providing single-transistor interface between microcontroller GPIO and inductive relay coil. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete driver stage; V_CE(sat) ≤ 2.0 V ensures <10 W loss at 5 A, reducing thermal design burden in dense control panels.	Use Scenario: Controlling start/stop sequencing of brushed DC motors (≤1/4 HP) in conveyor systems and HVAC actuators. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-speed power switch enabling PWM or on/off control with TTL-compatible base drive. Use Value: 80 V_CEO(sus) withstands flyback spikes up to 80 V during motor commutation, avoiding snubber circuits in cost-sensitive designs.
Linear Power Supply Pass Transistor	High-Current LED Dimming Circuits
Use Scenario: Series pass element in adjustable 0–30 V, 5 A bench power supplies with analog voltage regulation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-controlled current source operating in linear region with fixed base bias network. Use Value: h_FE ≥ 1000 minimizes base current error contribution (<5 mA), improving load regulation accuracy to ±1% over 0–5 A range.	Use Scenario: Constant-current dimming driver for high-brightness LED arrays (e.g., signage, machine vision lighting) requiring 3–5 A output. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Analog current regulator with feedback-sensed emitter resistor and base voltage setpoint. Use Value: R_JC = 1.92 °C/W enables stable 5 A operation with ≤30°C rise above heatsink, supporting compact aluminum extrusion cooling.

Industrial Relay Drivers

DC Motor Start/Stop Control

Use Scenario: Driving 24–48 VDC electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules requiring >5 A coil current handling.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain Darlington switch providing single-transistor interface between microcontroller GPIO and inductive relay coil.

Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete driver stage; V_CE(sat) ≤ 2.0 V ensures <10 W loss at 5 A, reducing thermal design burden in dense control panels.

Use Scenario: Controlling start/stop sequencing of brushed DC motors (≤1/4 HP) in conveyor systems and HVAC actuators.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-speed power switch enabling PWM or on/off control with TTL-compatible base drive.

Use Value: 80 V_CEO(sus) withstands flyback spikes up to 80 V during motor commutation, avoiding snubber circuits in cost-sensitive designs.

Linear Power Supply Pass Transistor

High-Current LED Dimming Circuits

Use Scenario: Series pass element in adjustable 0–30 V, 5 A bench power supplies with analog voltage regulation.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-controlled current source operating in linear region with fixed base bias network.

Use Value: h_FE ≥ 1000 minimizes base current error contribution (<5 mA), improving load regulation accuracy to ±1% over 0–5 A range.

Use Scenario: Constant-current dimming driver for high-brightness LED arrays (e.g., signage, machine vision lighting) requiring 3–5 A output.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Analog current regulator with feedback-sensed emitter resistor and base voltage setpoint.

Use Value: R_JC = 1.92 °C/W enables stable 5 A operation with ≤30°C rise above heatsink, supporting compact aluminum extrusion cooling.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Darlington NPN power transistor applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
2N6387	60 V_CEO(sus) rating (vs. 80 V), otherwise identical pinout, gain, and package.	Not suitable for 72 V bus or higher flyback transient environments where 2N6388's 80 V margin is required.	Select 2N6387 only when system maximum V_CE remains ≤60 V and cost sensitivity outweighs voltage headroom needs.
TIP122	Same Darlington topology but lower P_D (65 W vs. 2N6388's 65 W), higher V_CE(sat) (2.5 V max), and different pinout (Emitter-Base-Collector).	Requires PCB layout change; less efficient at 5 A due to 0.5 V higher saturation loss.	Choose TIP122 only if existing board uses TO-220 E-B-C pinout and 2N6388's C-C-E layout cannot be accommodated.

Compared with 2N6387 and TIP122, the 2N6388 provides superior voltage margin for industrial transients while maintaining identical thermal and gain performance-but demands strict adherence to TO-220 Style 1 (C-C-E) layout, unlike TIP122's E-B-C arrangement.

Availability

2N6388 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial relay drivers, DC motor controls, linear power supply pass elements, and high-current LED dimming circuits requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for 2N6388 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) is a global semiconductor supplier specializing in energy-efficient power, analog, sensor, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and cloud infrastructure markets.

The 2N6388 belongs to onsemi's legacy plastic medium-power silicon transistor family, designed specifically for robust, low-cost, high-gain switching in industrial automation and power conversion where reliability under thermal stress and electrical transients is critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for the 2N6388?

The 2N6388 is rated for 10 A continuous collector current (I_C) at case temperature T_C = 25°C. This rating assumes proper heatsinking to maintain the case temperature at or below 25°C; derating applies at higher temperatures per the 0.52 W/°C slope specified in the datasheet. At T_C = 100°C, the usable I_C drops to approximately 6.1 A.

Does the 2N6388 have built-in base-emitter resistors?

Yes, the 2N6388 features monolithic construction with built-in base-emitter shunt resistors. This design ensures reliable turn-off without requiring external pull-down components, which improves noise immunity in industrial environments and simplifies circuit design for relay and solenoid driving applications using the 2N6388.

What is the collector-emitter sustaining voltage (V_CEO(sus)) specification for the 2N6388?

The 2N6388 has a minimum collector-emitter sustaining voltage V_CEO(sus) of 80 Vdc at I_C = 100 mA and I_B = 0. This parameter defines the maximum voltage the device can block in the off state before breakdown, making it suitable for 48 V and 72 V DC systems where transient suppression margins are critical-unlike the 60 V-rated 2N6387.

Can the 2N6388 be used in linear (analog) amplifier applications?

Yes, the 2N6388 is explicitly designed for general-purpose amplifier applications per its datasheet. Its high DC current gain (h_FE ≥ 1000 at I_C = 5 A) and controlled saturation characteristics support Class-A and Class-AB linear operation, particularly in low-frequency audio output stages and adjustable linear power supply pass elements where the 2N6388 delivers stable gain and thermal predictability.

What is the thermal resistance from junction to case (R_JC) for the 2N6388?

The 2N6388 has a maximum junction-to-case thermal resistance R_JC of 1.92 °C/W. This value is measured under JEDEC conditions and reflects the internal thermal path from silicon die to the metal tab. Effective heatsinking must account for this bottleneck-combined with interface and heatsink resistance-to ensure the junction temperature stays within −65°C to +150°C limits during operation of the 2N6388.

2N6388 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-220-3

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Obsolete

Transistor Type:: NPN - Darlington

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 10 A

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 80 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 3V @ 100mA, 10A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 1mA

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 1000 @ 5A, 3V

Power - Max:: 2 W

Frequency - Transition:: -

Operating Temperature:: -65°C ~ 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-220

2N6388 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for 2N6388 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 2N6388 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for 2N6388 reliable?

The price and inventory of 2N6388 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 2N6388 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for 2N6388?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 2N6388 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for 2N6388?

2N6388 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your 2N6388 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 2N6388?

For technical support, including 2N6388 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 2N6388 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that 2N6388 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All 2N6388 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 2N6388 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of 2N6388?

All 2N6388 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 2N6388, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The 2N6388 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for 2N6388:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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