onsemi TIP100

Overview

TIP100 from ON Semiconductor is an NPN silicon Darlington power transistor in TO-220AB package, rated for 60 V_CEO(sus) (min), 8 A continuous collector current, and 80 W power dissipation at T_C = 25°C. It features monolithic construction with built-in base-emitter shunt resistors and is designed for low-speed switching and general-purpose amplifier applications in industrial control and power regulation circuits.

For engineers reviewing the TIP100 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its 60 V sustaining voltage, 2.0 V_CE(sat) max at 3 A, h_FE ≥1000 at 3 A, thermal resistance of 1.56 °C/W (junction-to-case), and TO-220AB mechanical compatibility with standard heatsinks.

Technical Context

The TIP100 implements a two-stage Darlington configuration with integrated ~8.0 kΩ and ~120 Ω base-emitter shunt resistors to ensure reliable turn-off and reduce external component count. Its safe operating area (SOA) is limited by second breakdown at high V_CE/I_C combinations and thermally at elevated case temperatures.

Electrical behavior is characterized at T_C = 25°C with pulse testing (300 µs, 2% duty cycle); DC current gain spans 1000–20,000 across 0.2–8 A collector current, and output capacitance is 200 pF at 10 V_CB.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-220AB (Case 221A, Style 1), plastic medium-power package with metal tab electrically connected to collector (Pin 2 and Pin 4). Mounting hole allows mechanical attachment to heatsink with electrical isolation required if collector is not at chassis ground.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TIP102 and MJ11015, the TIP100 provides optimal balance of 60 V blocking, 8 A current, integrated turn-off assurance, and TO-220 thermal performance for cost-sensitive industrial switching below 60 V-avoiding over-specification while maintaining design simplicity.

Availability

TIP100 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC motor control, relay driving, linear regulator pass elements, and lamp dimming applications requiring stable component supply, long-term industrial lifecycle support, and Pb-free compliance.

Supply support for TIP100 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

ON Semiconductor (now onsemi) is a global semiconductor supplier focused on energy-efficient electronics, with leadership in power management, analog, sensors, and connectivity solutions.

The TIP100 belongs to the TIP10x complementary Darlington transistor family, engineered for robust, low-cost, medium-power linear amplification and switching in industrial, automotive, and appliance systems where reliability and thermal stability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for the TIP100?

The TIP100 has a maximum continuous collector current (I_C) rating of 8.0 Adc at case temperature T_C = 25°C. Derating is required above 25°C at 0.64 W/°C, meaning usable current drops to approximately 5.5 A at T_C = 65°C. This rating assumes proper heatsinking per the 1.56 °C/W junction-to-case thermal resistance specified in the TIP100 datasheet.

Does the TIP100 have built-in base resistors, and how do they affect circuit design?

Yes, the TIP100 incorporates monolithic base-emitter shunt resistors (~8.0 kΩ and ~120 Ω) that ensure reliable turn-off without external pull-down components. This simplifies driver design-especially when interfacing with microcontrollers or logic gates-and prevents latch-up in high-noise industrial environments. The TIP100 thus eliminates the need for discrete base resistors typically required with standard bipolar transistors.

Can the TIP100 be used in place of a MOSFET for low-speed switching?

The TIP100 can replace low-speed MOSFETs in applications where gate drive simplicity, cost, or ruggedness against voltage transients outweigh the need for ultra-low R_DS(on). Unlike MOSFETs, the TIP100 requires base current (e.g., 6 mA for 3 A I_C) but offers superior SOA for inductive loads and inherent tolerance to dv/dt-induced turn-on. It is not suitable for high-frequency PWM (>10 kHz) due to slower switching times than modern MOSFETs.

What is the safe operating area (SOA) limitation for the TIP100 at 40 V_CE?

At V_CE = 40 V, the TIP100's second-breakdown-limited SOA restricts continuous I_C to approximately 1.2 A (per Figure 6 of the TIP100 datasheet), assuming T_J ≤ 150°C and DC operation. For pulsed operation (e.g., 1 ms, 10% duty cycle), current may reach ~4 A. Exceeding these boundaries risks localized thermal runaway and permanent failure-even if average power remains within 80 W limits.

Is the TIP100 pin-compatible with other devices in the TIP10x family?

Yes, all TIP10x devices-including TIP100, TIP101, TIP102 (NPN) and TIP105, TIP106, TIP107 (PNP)-share identical TO-220AB package dimensions, pinout (Pin 1: Base, Pin 2 & 4: Collector, Pin 3: Emitter), and mechanical mounting. This allows direct substitution within the same polarity group when voltage or gain requirements differ, provided PCB layout accommodates the same footprint and thermal interface.