STMicroelectronics TIP132

Overview

TIP132 from STMicroelectronics is an NPN silicon power Darlington transistor in TO-220 package, designed for high-current linear and switching applications such as motor drivers and power supplies. It delivers 8 A continuous collector current, 60 V V_CEO, 2 V V_CE(sat) at 4 A/16 mA drive, 500–15000 h_FE, and operates up to 150 °C junction temperature.

For engineers reviewing the TIP132 datasheet, TIP132 pinout, TIP132 application, or TIP132 equivalent, key selection criteria include its Darlington gain structure, thermal resistance (1.78 °C/W junction-to-case), safe operating area limits, and complementary pairing with TIP137 in H-bridge or push-pull topologies.

Technical Context

The TIP132 integrates two NPN transistors in monolithic Darlington configuration with built-in base-emitter resistors (R1 = 5 kΩ, R2 = 150 Ω), enabling direct TTL/CMOS logic-level drive without external bias networks. Its epitaxial-base construction supports robust secondary breakdown immunity and stable DC current gain across 1–4 A operating range.

Rated for linear-mode operation with 70 W dissipation at T_case ≤ 25 °C, it features a pulsed V_CEO(sus) of 60 V at 30 mA, and exhibits low saturation voltage (2 V typical) under 4 A load with only 16 mA base current-critical for efficient switching in industrial control loads.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Supplied in JEDEC-standard TO-220 plastic package with isolated tab (pin 2 connected to collector). Mounting surface must be electrically insulated unless collector is at system ground potential.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MJD130G and TIP122, the TIP132 offers superior continuous current handling (8 A vs. 4 A or 5 A), optimized thermal resistance for through-hole heatsinking, and factory-integrated biasing-making it preferred for high-reliability industrial switching and linear regulation where manual component count and thermal predictability are critical.

Availability

TIP132 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC motor control, relay/solenoid driving, linear power regulation, and switch-mode power supply auxiliary functions requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for TIP132 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing analog, digital, and mixed-signal ICs and discrete power devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The TIP132 belongs to ST's legacy power bipolar transistor family, engineered specifically for ruggedized industrial linear and switching power stages where reliability, thermal robustness, and ease of drive are prioritized over ultra-high-speed switching.

FAQ

Can the TIP132 be used in parallel configurations?

Yes, but only with emitter ballast resistors (typically 0.1–0.47 Ω) to ensure current sharing. The TIP132's positive temperature coefficient of V_BE helps stabilize parallel operation, yet mismatched h_FE and thermal gradients require explicit balancing-ST does not guarantee matched pairs, so individual characterization is recommended before deployment.

What is the maximum safe base drive current for continuous operation?

The absolute maximum base current is 0.3 A, but for reliable long-term operation at full collector current, ST recommends limiting I_B to ≤ 30 mA. Exceeding this risks localized heating at the base-emitter junction and accelerated degradation, especially when combined with high V_CE and ambient temperatures above 60 °C.

Does the TIP132 require a heatsink in all applications?

A heatsink is mandatory for any application where power dissipation exceeds 1.5 W at ambient temperatures above 40 °C. At 8 A and 2 V V_CE(sat), conduction loss alone reaches 16 W-requiring a heatsink with ≤ 4.5 °C/W thermal resistance to maintain T_j ≤ 150 °C with 25 °C ambient.

How does the TIP132 compare to MOSFET alternatives in switching efficiency?

The TIP132 has higher conduction loss than modern logic-level MOSFETs (e.g., 2 V vs. <0.1 V R_DS(on) × I_D), but offers superior ruggedness against voltage transients and simpler gate drive. It remains viable where EMI sensitivity, cost, or legacy design reuse outweigh efficiency gains-especially in <10 kHz switching or linear-regulator applications.