onsemi TIP116
- Part No.:
- TIP116
- Manufacturer:
- onsemi
- Category:
- Single Bipolar Transistors
- Package:
- TO-220-3
- Datasheet:
-
TIP116.pdf
- Description:
- TRANS PNP DARL 80V 2A TO-220
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,842
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Product details
Overview
TIP116 from onsemi is a PNP silicon Darlington power transistor in TO-220AB package, designed for medium-power linear amplification and low-speed switching. It delivers 2.0 A continuous collector current, sustains 80 Vdc collector-emitter voltage (VCEO(sus)), and features typical DC current gain (hFE) of 2500 at IC = 1.0 A - enabling high-current drive with minimal base drive in motor control and power supply feedback circuits.
For engineers reviewing the TIP116 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its 80 V VCEO(sus), built-in base-emitter shunt resistors, 2.5 V VCE(sat) max at 2.0 A, thermal resistance RJC = 2.5 °C/W, and compatibility with complementary NPN TIP111 in push-pull amplifier stages.
Technical Context
The TIP116 integrates two PNP transistors monolithically in a Darlington configuration with internal base-emitter shunt resistors (~8.0 kΩ and ~120 Ω), reducing external biasing complexity and improving turn-off speed. Its safe operating area (SOA) is limited by secondary breakdown at high VCE and by thermal constraints above TC = 25°C, with derating of 0.4 W/°C beyond that point.
It operates across –65°C to +150°C junction temperature range and supports unclamped inductive load energy up to 25 mJ. The device exhibits VBE(on) ≤ 2.8 V at IC = 2.0 A and small-signal current gain hfe ≥ 25 at 1 MHz, confirming suitability for audio-frequency amplification and DC-coupled control loops.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCEO(sus) | 80 Vdc minimum - defines maximum safe blocking voltage before sustaining breakdown in switching applications |
| IC (Continuous) | 2.0 Adc - enables direct drive of solenoids, relays, or small DC motors without external current boosting |
| hFE (Typ) | 2500 @ IC = 1.0 A - allows microcontroller GPIO-level base drive (e.g., 0.4 mA base current for 1 A collector output) |
| VCE(sat) (Max) | 2.5 Vdc @ IC = 2.0 A, IB = 8.0 mA - limits conduction loss to ≤5 W at full load, critical for thermal management |
| RJC | 2.5 °C/W - determines heatsink requirement: e.g., 10 °C/W heatsink needed to maintain TJ ≤ 125°C at 50 W dissipation |
| PD @ TC = 25°C | 50 W - specifies maximum power dissipation when case temperature is held at 25°C via heatsinking |
| Cob | 200 pF @ VCB = 10 V - impacts high-frequency response and switching speed in amplifier or PWM circuits |
Pinout & Package
Package: TO-220AB (Case 221A), 4-pin outline with dual collector terminals (Pins 2 and 4), base (Pin 1), and emitter (Pin 3). Mounting tab is electrically connected to collector.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base | Input control terminal; internally connected to first transistor's base and shunt resistor network |
| 2 | Collector | Main high-current output node; electrically tied to mounting tab and Pin 4 |
| 3 | Emitter | Common emitter node for Darlington pair; connects to load return or ground reference |
| 4 | Collector | Second collector terminal - redundant connection to Pin 2 for improved current sharing and thermal path |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Monolithic Darlington structure | Integrates driver and output transistors on one die, eliminating interconnect inductance and mismatch in discrete pairs |
| Built-in base-emitter shunt resistors | ~8.0 kΩ and ~120 Ω network ensures reliable turn-off without external pull-down, reducing BOM count |
| High VCEO(sus) = 80 V | Supports operation in 48 V industrial bus systems and flyback snubber circuits without external clamping |
| Low thermal resistance RJC = 2.5 °C/W | Enables compact heatsink design - e.g., 15 cm² aluminum finned heatsink suffices for 30 W continuous dissipation |
| Pb-free TO-220G option available | TIP116G meets RoHS compliance requirements without compromising thermal or electrical performance |
Applications
| DC Motor Control | Linear Power Supply Regulator |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving 24 V, 1.5 A brushed DC motors in industrial actuators with PWM at ≤5 kHz. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-current PNP switch in low-side or H-bridge complement stage, handling peak currents up to 4.0 A. Use Value: Built-in shunt resistors ensure clean turn-off during PWM dead-time, preventing shoot-through in complementary designs with TIP111. |
Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable 0–30 V, 2 A linear bench power supply with op-amp error amplifier feedback. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass element dissipating up to 45 W under worst-case dropout (30 V input, 5 V output @ 2 A). Use Value: 50 W rated power and 2.5 °C/W RJC allow stable operation with moderate heatsinking, avoiding thermal runaway due to Darlington's inherent gain stability. |
| Relay/Solenoid Driver | Audio Output Stage |
Use Scenario: Controlling 12 V/2 A automotive relays and 24 V pneumatic solenoids in PLC I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-speed switching device with 80 V VCEO(sus) tolerating inductive kickback without external suppression diodes. Use Value: 25 mJ unclamped inductive energy rating permits direct drive of 100 mH coils at 2 A without snubbers, simplifying PCB layout. |
Use Scenario: Complementary emitter-follower output stage in 10 W Class-AB audio amplifier (paired with TIP111). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Output current booster delivering low-impedance drive to 4–8 Ω speakers with <1% THD up to 10 kHz. Use Value: Cob = 200 pF and hfe ≥ 25 at 1 MHz preserve bandwidth while high hFE reduces distortion from base current modulation. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PNP Darlington power transistor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJE172 | TO-126 package, lower PD = 30 W, VCEO(sus) = 60 V, hFE = 1000 (min) | Limited to ≤1.5 A continuous loads and ≤36 V systems; unsuitable for 48 V bus or high-power linear regulation | Select when board space is constrained and thermal budget allows smaller heatsink; verify SOA fit for inductive loads |
| BDX54C | TO-220, VCEO(sus) = 80 V, IC = 8 A, but hFE = 750 (min) and no integrated shunt resistors | Requires external base pull-down; higher current capability trades off gain linearity and turn-off speed | Prefer for high-current switching where base drive circuitry is already present; avoid in low-drive microcontroller interfaces |
Compared with MJE172 and BDX54C, the TIP116 uniquely balances high gain (2500 typ), integrated turn-off assist, 80 V rating, and TO-220 thermal performance - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, microcontroller-driven power stages requiring simplicity and reliability without external bias components.
Availability
TIP116 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, linear power supply regulation, relay/solenoid actuation, and audio output amplification requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.
Supply support for TIP116 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 is a global semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, analog, sensor, and logic solutions for automotive, industrial, and cloud infrastructure markets.
The TIP116 belongs to onsemi's legacy plastic medium-power complementary transistor family, engineered for robust, low-cost linear amplification and switching in non-automotive industrial equipment where reliability and ease of use outweigh ultra-high-frequency demands.
FAQ
What is the maximum safe collector-emitter voltage for TIP116 in sustained operation?
The TIP116 has a minimum collector-emitter sustaining voltage VCEO(sus) of 80 Vdc at IC = 30 mAdc, meaning it can reliably block up to 80 V in active switching or linear operation without breakdown. This rating applies under specified test conditions and assumes proper heatsinking to maintain junction temperature within –65°C to +150°C. Exceeding 80 V risks avalanche failure, especially under transient conditions not covered by the sustaining voltage test.
Does TIP116 require an external base pull-down resistor for reliable turn-off?
No - the TIP116 incorporates monolithic base-emitter shunt resistors (~8.0 kΩ and ~120 Ω), which actively discharge the base region during turn-off. This eliminates the need for external pull-down components in most microcontroller-driven applications, reducing BOM count and improving switching consistency. The internal network ensures predictable fall time even with high-impedance drive sources.
Can TIP116 be used in parallel with other TIP116 devices to increase current capacity?
Parallel operation of TIP116 devices is not recommended without individual emitter resistors, due to positive thermal feedback in Darlington structures and parameter spread in hFE and VBE. Even matched units may experience current hogging under load, leading to thermal runaway. For >2 A applications, select a single higher-rated device like BDX54C or implement forced-air cooling on a single TIP116 with appropriate SOA derating.
What is the thermal resistance from junction to case (RJC) for TIP116, and how does it affect heatsink selection?
The TIP116 has a maximum junction-to-case thermal resistance RJC of 2.5 °C/W. When dissipating 30 W, this results in a 75°C temperature rise from case to junction - so with a 25°C ambient and 10°C/W heatsink, the case rises to ~55°C and junction reaches ~130°C, staying within the 150°C limit. Always use thermal interface material and verify mounting pressure to achieve datasheet RJC performance.
Is TIP116 suitable for audio amplifier output stages, and what performance limitations should be considered?
Yes - the TIP116 is commonly used in Class-AB audio output stages paired with its NPN complement TIP111. Its hfe ≥ 25 at 1 MHz and Cob = 200 pF support bandwidth up to 100 kHz, while high DC gain improves linearity at low signal levels. However, Darlington saturation voltage (VCE(sat) ≤ 2.5 V) increases crossover distortion in low-voltage designs, and thermal drift requires careful bias stabilization in high-fidelity implementations.
TIP116 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- onsemi
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-3
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Transistor Type:
- PNP - Darlington
- Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):
- 2 A
- Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):
- 80 V
- Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:
- 2.5V @ 8mA, 2A
- Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):
- 2mA
- DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:
- 1000 @ 1A, 4V
- Power - Max:
- 2 W
- Frequency - Transition:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -65°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220
TIP116 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TIP116 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TIP116 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 TIP116 reliable?
The price and inventory of TIP116 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TIP116 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TIP116?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TIP116 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TIP116?
TIP116 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TIP116 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 TIP116?
For technical support, including TIP116 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TIP116 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TIP116 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TIP116 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 TIP116 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TIP116?
All TIP116 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TIP116, 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 TIP116 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TIP116:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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