STMicroelectronics TIP145

Overview

TIP145 from STMicroelectronics is a PNP epitaxial-base power Darlington transistor in TO-247 package, rated for -60 V V_CEO, -10 A I_C, and 125 W P_TOT at T_case = 25°C, with integrated antiparallel collector-emitter diode; used in industrial linear regulators and high-current switching circuits such as motor control stages.

For engineers reviewing the TIP145 datasheet, TIP145 pinout, TIP145 application, or TIP145 equivalent, key selection criteria include its monolithic Darlington gain (h_FE ≥ 500 at -10 A), low V_CE(sat) (-3 V max at -10 A/-40 mA), thermal resistance (R_thj-case ≤ 1 °C/W), and built-in clamping diode for inductive load protection.

Technical Context

The TIP145 integrates two PNP transistors in monolithic Darlington configuration with on-chip base-emitter resistors (R1 ≈ 5 kΩ, R2 ≈ 150 Ω) to ensure stable biasing and reduce external component count. Its internal antiparallel diode enables bidirectional current handling without discrete flyback components.

Designed for high-power linear operation and hard-switching duty, it supports pulsed collector currents up to -20 A and sustains -60 V under transient conditions (V_CEO(sus)) with 300 µs pulse width and ≤1.5% duty cycle.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-247 plastic housing with isolated mounting flange; lead-free ECOPACK® compliant per JEDEC JESD97; mechanical dimensions per ST specification (D = 20.0 mm, E = 15.6 mm, L = 14.5 mm).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TIP145, MJ11015 offers superior voltage rating but demands more thermal management, while TIP147 retains mechanical compatibility and simplifies voltage-margin upgrades-both require revalidation of base drive and switching timing.

Availability

TIP145 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial linear regulators, motor drive output stages, and relay/solenoid drivers requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle embedded programs.

Supply support for TIP145 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, discrete power devices, and MEMS sensors.

The TIP145 belongs to ST's high-power bipolar transistor product line, engineered specifically for robust industrial switching and linear power control where reliability, thermal performance, and integrated protection features are critical.

FAQ

Is the TIP145 pin-compatible with other TO-247 PNP transistors?

Yes, the TIP145 uses standard TO-247 pinout (Base–Collector–Emitter, left-to-right with flange facing away). It shares mechanical and electrical pin alignment with TIP147, TIP142, and MJ11015 (though MJ11015 uses TO-3). No adapter or footprint change is needed when substituting within the same package family.

Does the integrated antiparallel diode support reverse current in continuous conduction mode?

No-the integrated diode is optimized for clamping inductive flyback during switching transitions, not for bidirectional conduction. Its forward voltage is ~1.2 V and it lacks rated continuous reverse current capability; use external diodes for true bidirectional or freewheeling paths.

What is the maximum safe operating area (SOA) limitation at 100°C case temperature?

At T_case = 100°C, the TIP145's power dissipation must be derated to 75 W (60% of 125 W), and the SOA curve restricts simultaneous V_CE and I_C to avoid second breakdown-e.g., at -40 V V_CE, maximum I_C drops to ~4.5 A per ST's published SOA graph.

Can the TIP145 be used in parallel configurations for higher current?

Not recommended without individual emitter resistors and matched devices. The TIP145's h_FE variation (500–1000) and thermal coupling in TO-247 packages cause current imbalance; ST does not specify parallel operation, and unbalanced sharing may lead to thermal runaway above 5 A per device.