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

onsemi TIP137

Name: TIP137
Brand: onsemi
SKU: TIP137
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: TIP137

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-220-3

Datasheet:: TIP137.pdf

Description:: TRANS PNP DARL 100V 8A TO-220AB

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:20,739

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Product details

Overview

TIP137 from STMicroelectronics is a complementary PNP silicon power Darlington transistor in TO-220 package, designed for high-current linear and switching applications such as motor control, relay drivers, and power supplies. It delivers 8 A continuous collector current, 100 V collector-emitter sustaining voltage (V_CEO(sus)), and DC current gain (h_FE) up to 15,000 at I_C = 4 A - enabling efficient high-gain amplification with minimal base drive.

For engineers reviewing the TIP137 datasheet, TIP137 pinout, TIP137 application, or TIP137 equivalent, key selection criteria include its negative-polarity Darlington configuration, thermal resistance (R_thj-case = 1.78 °C/W), safe operating area (SOA) compliance, and compatibility with NPN counterpart TIP132 in push-pull output stages.

Technical Context

The TIP137 integrates two cascaded PNP transistors in monolithic Darlington topology, providing high current gain while maintaining single-base control. Its internal structure includes integrated base-emitter resistors (R1 ≈ 5 kΩ, R2 ≈ 150 Ω) for improved turn-off speed and stability under inductive loads.

Rated for 100 V V_CBO and 100 V V_CEO(sus), it operates reliably up to 150 °C junction temperature and supports pulsed peak currents of 12 A. The device is optimized for linear-mode biasing and hard-switching duty cycles with defined SOA boundaries per ST's published curves.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO(sus)	100 V - Sustaining voltage under switching conditions with I_B = 0; defines maximum safe off-state collector voltage before breakdown
I_C	8 A - Continuous collector current rating at T_case ≤ 25 °C; determines maximum steady-state load-handling capability
h_FE	500–15,000 - DC current gain range at I_C = 1–4 A; enables low-base-drive control of high-power loads
R_thj-case	1.78 °C/W - Junction-to-case thermal resistance; sets minimum heatsink requirement for 70 W dissipation at T_case = 25 °C
V_CE(sat)	2–4 V - Saturation voltage at I_C = 4–6 A / I_B = 16–30 mA; directly impacts conduction loss and thermal rise in switching mode
f_T	Not specified - No small-signal transition frequency given in datasheet; not intended for RF or high-frequency switching (>100 kHz)

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-220 (Jedec standard, 3-lead, through-hole, vertical mounting). Case acts as collector terminal; leads are electrically isolated from case unless externally connected.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 (Emitter)	Emitter terminal of Darlington pair	Connected to positive rail in high-side switch; polarity must match PNP operation (current flows into emitter)
2 (Base)	Control input for Darlington pair	Receives low-current drive signal; internal R1/R2 network ensures stable turn-on/turn-off behavior
3 (Collector)	Output terminal (commonly tied to heatsink)	Electrically connected to metal tab; requires insulating washer if heatsink is grounded

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Monolithic Darlington architecture	Single-die integration of driver and output PNP transistors eliminates external wiring, improves gain consistency and thermal tracking
Integrated base-emitter resistors	R1 ≈ 5 kΩ and R2 ≈ 150 Ω enable faster turn-off and reduce risk of latch-up during inductive load switching
High V_CEO(sus) rating	100 V sustaining voltage supports use in 48 V industrial bus systems and flyback snubber circuits without external clamping
TO-220 mechanical robustness	Rated for ≥10,000 thermal cycles; standardized footprint allows drop-in replacement and automated assembly compatibility

Applications

DC Motor Control

Relay Driver Circuit

Use Scenario: Bidirectional 24–48 V brushed DC motor control in industrial actuators.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP Darlington switch in high-side configuration, paired with NPN TIP132 for H-bridge complementarity.

Use Value: High h_FE reduces microcontroller GPIO current demand; 8 A rating supports motors up to 300 W with forced-air cooling.

Use Scenario: Driving 12–24 V DC relays with coil inductance >100 mH in PLC I/O modules.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-gain saturated switch replacing discrete BJT + resistor networks.

Use Value: Integrated R1/R2 accelerates relay de-energization, reducing contact arcing and extending relay life.

Linear Power Regulator

Switch-Mode Power Supply Output Stage

Use Scenario: Pass transistor in adjustable 0–30 V, 5 A bench power supply.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass element controlled by op-amp feedback loop in linear regulation topology.

Use Value: Low V_CE(sat) (2 V @ 4 A) minimizes dropout voltage and heat generation at full load.

Use Scenario: Main switch in 100–200 W offline flyback converter with 100 kHz PWM frequency.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Hard-switched PNP output stage synchronized with controller IC.

Use Value: Defined SOA and 12 A I_CM support reliable operation under transient overloads and startup surges.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
MJD130	TO-252 (DPAK) surface-mount package; lower I_C = 2 A; V_CEO = 100 V; h_FE = 1,000–8,000	Suitable for space-constrained PCBs but requires derating above 1.5 A ambient	Select when board area is critical and thermal management supports SMT heatsinking
TIP147	Same TO-220 package; higher V_CEO(sus) = 100 V; identical pinout; h_FE min = 1,000 (vs. TIP137's 500)	Offers tighter h_FE distribution and improved consistency in production batches	Prefer for new designs requiring guaranteed minimum gain and long-term supply stability

Compared with MJD130 and TIP147, the TIP137 provides the highest continuous current rating (8 A) in through-hole format and lowest base drive requirement among legacy TO-220 Darlington PNP devices, making it optimal for retrofitting and high-reliability industrial replacements.

Availability

TIP137 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, programmable logic controller (PLC) output modules, and linear power supply designs requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for TIP137 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 for automotive, industrial, and power applications.

The TIP137 belongs to ST's legacy power bipolar transistor family, engineered specifically for ruggedized linear and switching power control in industrial equipment where reliability, thermal robustness, and proven field performance are mandatory.

FAQ

Is the TIP137 pin-compatible with the TIP132?

Yes - both use identical TO-220 package with emitter-base-collector pinout (1-2-3). However, polarity is opposite: TIP132 is NPN, TIP137 is PNP. Direct substitution requires circuit-level polarity reversal and complementary biasing network redesign.

What is the maximum safe operating temperature for continuous 8 A operation?

At 8 A I_C, the TIP137 dissipates up to ~16 W (assuming V_CE(sat) ≈ 2 V). With R_thj-case = 1.78 °C/W and max T_j = 150 °C, case temperature must remain ≤ 136 °C - requiring a heatsink with R_thc-amb ≤ 8.5 °C/W at 25 °C ambient.

Does the TIP137 require an external base resistor?

No - it includes internal base-emitter resistors (R1 ≈ 5 kΩ, R2 ≈ 150 Ω). An external series base resistor is still recommended to limit peak I_B during fast switching and prevent oscillation, especially with inductive loads.

Can the TIP137 be used in parallel for higher current?

Not recommended without individual emitter resistors. Darlington devices exhibit negative thermal feedback and unequal current sharing due to h_FE spread and thermal coupling. Parallel operation risks thermal runaway unless matched units and ballasting resistors are used.

TIP137 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):: 8 A

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 100 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 4V @ 30mA, 6A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 500µA

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 1000 @ 4A, 4V

Power - Max:: 2 W

Frequency - Transition:: -

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-220AB

TIP137 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for TIP137 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TIP137 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 TIP137 reliable?

The price and inventory of TIP137 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TIP137 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for TIP137?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TIP137 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for TIP137?

TIP137 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your TIP137 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 TIP137?

For technical support, including TIP137 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TIP137 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that TIP137 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All TIP137 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 TIP137 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of TIP137?

All TIP137 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TIP137, 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 TIP137 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for TIP137:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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