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

onsemi TIP32A

Name: TIP32A
Brand: onsemi
SKU: TIP32A
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: TIP32A

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Single Bipolar Transistors

Package:: TO-220-3

Datasheet:: TIP32A.pdf

Description:: TRANS PNP 60V 3A TO-220-3

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Product details

Overview

TIP32A from onsemi is a PNP silicon power transistor in TO−220 package, rated for 60 V_CEO, 3.0 A continuous collector current, and 40 W total power dissipation at T_C = 25°C. It serves as a medium-power switching or linear amplifier device in DC motor control, relay drivers, and voltage regulator pass elements.

For engineers reviewing the TIP32A datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include V_CEO = 60 V, I_C = 3.0 A, h_FE ≥ 10 (at I_C = 3.0 A), V_CE(sat) ≤ 1.2 V, and thermal resistance R_JC = 3.125 °C/W - all critical for thermal management and saturation performance in high-current switching designs.

Technical Context

The TIP32A operates as a bipolar junction transistor with fixed PNP polarity, requiring base current injection to enable conduction between emitter and collector. Its safe operating area (SOA) is defined by both thermal limits (T_J ≤ 150°C) and secondary breakdown constraints, especially under pulsed inductive loads up to 32 mJ.

Electrical behavior is characterized by DC current gain h_FE of 10–50 (depending on I_C), V_BE(on) ≤ 1.8 V at I_C = 3.0 A, and f_T = 3.0 MHz - confirming suitability for low-to-moderate frequency switching (≤100 kHz) but not RF applications.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_CEO	60 V - Maximum collector-emitter voltage before breakdown; defines maximum supply rail compatibility in switch-mode or linear regulator topologies.
I_C (continuous)	3.0 A - Continuous DC collector current rating; sets upper bound for steady-state load handling without forced cooling.
P_D @ T_C = 25°C	40 W - Total power dissipation capability when case temperature is maintained at 25°C; requires heatsink for sustained operation.
h_FE	10–50 - DC current gain range at I_C = 1.0–3.0 A; determines required base drive current (e.g., ~300 mA needed for 3 A output at h_FE = 10).
V_CE(sat)	≤1.2 V - Collector-emitter saturation voltage at I_C = 3.0 A, I_B = 375 mA; directly impacts conduction loss and heat generation in switching applications.
R_JC	3.125 °C/W - Junction-to-case thermal resistance; enables calculation of junction temperature rise above heatsink temperature (ΔT_J−C = P_D × R_JC).

Pinout & Package

Package: TO−220−3 (Case 221A), plastic, Pb-free, with pins arranged in Style 1: Pin 1 = Base, Pin 2 = Collector, Pin 3 = Emitter, Pin 4 = Collector (dual-collector configuration). Mounting tab is electrically connected to collector.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Pin 1	Base	Control terminal; forward-biased with respect to emitter to turn on the transistor; requires current-limited drive due to low input impedance.
Pin 2 & Pin 4	Collector	High-side current sink node; electrically tied together and connected to mounting tab; must be isolated from heatsink unless collector is at system ground potential.
Pin 3	Emitter	Current source node for PNP operation; typically tied to positive supply rail in high-side switch configurations.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
High-energy inductive switching	Rated for 32 mJ unclamped inductive load energy (I_C = 1.8 A, L = 20 mH), enabling robust relay and solenoid driving without external snubbers in many cases.
Thermal performance	R_JC = 3.125 °C/W allows efficient heat transfer to heatsink; combined with 40 W power rating, supports compact thermal design in industrial controls.
DC current gain stability	h_FE ≥ 10 at I_C = 3.0 A ensures predictable base drive requirements across production lots and temperature range (–65°C to +150°C).
Pb-free & RoHS compliant	Meets environmental compliance standards without sacrificing electrical or thermal performance; compatible with standard lead-free reflow profiles.

Applications

DC Motor Control	Linear Voltage Regulator
Use Scenario: Driving 24 V, 2 A brushed DC motors in industrial actuators with PWM-based speed control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side PNP switch controlling current flow from supply to motor winding; operated in saturation for minimal conduction loss. Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 1.2 V at 3 A ensures <1.5 W conduction loss, reducing heatsink size versus higher-V_CE(sat) alternatives.	Use Scenario: Pass element in adjustable 5–15 V, 1.5 A linear regulators for analog sensor signal conditioning circuits. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass transistor regulating output voltage via base-emitter bias control; operates in active region for precision regulation. Use Value: h_FE ≥ 10 at 3 A enables stable current sourcing with low base drive overhead, improving regulation accuracy under load transients.
Relay Driver	Power Supply OR-ing
Use Scenario: Controlling 12 V/1 A electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules with microcontroller GPIO interfacing. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Medium-power interface switch translating logic-level signals into relay coil current; driven with base resistor from MCU. Use Value: V_CEO = 60 V provides 4× margin over 12 V relay supply, preventing breakdown during inductive kickback without clamping diode.	Use Scenario: Diode-replacement OR-ing in dual-input 24 V power supplies for redundancy in telecom shelf systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP configured as active OR-ing switch, with emitter tied to input rail and collector to output bus; base controlled to enable conduction. Use Value: Low V_CE(sat) reduces forward drop to ~1.2 V versus ~0.7 V for Schottky diodes, but enables reverse current blocking and precise gate control.

DC Motor Control

Linear Voltage Regulator

Use Scenario: Driving 24 V, 2 A brushed DC motors in industrial actuators with PWM-based speed control.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side PNP switch controlling current flow from supply to motor winding; operated in saturation for minimal conduction loss.

Use Value: V_CE(sat) ≤ 1.2 V at 3 A ensures <1.5 W conduction loss, reducing heatsink size versus higher-V_CE(sat) alternatives.

Use Scenario: Pass element in adjustable 5–15 V, 1.5 A linear regulators for analog sensor signal conditioning circuits.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Series pass transistor regulating output voltage via base-emitter bias control; operates in active region for precision regulation.

Use Value: h_FE ≥ 10 at 3 A enables stable current sourcing with low base drive overhead, improving regulation accuracy under load transients.

Relay Driver

Power Supply OR-ing

Use Scenario: Controlling 12 V/1 A electromagnetic relays in PLC I/O modules with microcontroller GPIO interfacing.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Medium-power interface switch translating logic-level signals into relay coil current; driven with base resistor from MCU.

Use Value: V_CEO = 60 V provides 4× margin over 12 V relay supply, preventing breakdown during inductive kickback without clamping diode.

Use Scenario: Diode-replacement OR-ing in dual-input 24 V power supplies for redundancy in telecom shelf systems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PNP configured as active OR-ing switch, with emitter tied to input rail and collector to output bus; base controlled to enable conduction.

Use Value: Low V_CE(sat) reduces forward drop to ~1.2 V versus ~0.7 V for Schottky diodes, but enables reverse current blocking and precise gate control.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
MJD32C	TO-252 (DPAK) surface-mount package; same V_CEO = 60 V, I_C = 3.0 A, but lower P_D = 20 W and R_JC = 5.0 °C/W.	Requires PCB copper area for thermal management instead of external heatsink; unsuitable for >1.5 A continuous operation without aggressive layout.	Select MJD32C only for space-constrained SMT designs where peak power is <15 W and airflow/heatsinking is limited.
TIP32CG	Higher V_CEO = 100 V; identical package, pinout, and thermal specs; h_FE min = 10 at I_C = 3.0 A.	Enables use in 48 V or 72 V battery systems where 60 V margin is insufficient; otherwise functionally interchangeable in 24 V designs.	Choose TIP32CG if future-proofing for higher bus voltages or if existing BOM already uses TIP32CG for commonality.

Compared with TIP32A, MJD32C trades thermal headroom and through-hole assembly for board space savings, while TIP32CG extends voltage capability without altering footprint or drive requirements - making it a direct upgrade path for higher-voltage variants of the same circuit.

Availability

TIP32A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC motor control, relay driving, and linear regulator pass applications requiring stable component supply, long-term industrial availability, and RoHS-compliant manufacturing.

Supply support for TIP32A 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 energy-efficient power, analog, sensing, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, cloud, and consumer markets.

The TIP32A belongs to onsemi's legacy plastic power transistor family designed for cost-sensitive, medium-power linear and switching applications in industrial controls, power supplies, and electromechanical interfaces.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous collector current rating for the TIP32A?

The TIP32A has a maximum continuous collector current (I_C) rating of 3.0 A at T_C = 25°C. This rating assumes proper heatsinking; derating applies above 25°C at 0.32 W/°C. At ambient temperature (T_A = 25°C), the limit drops to 2.0 A due to higher thermal resistance to ambient (R_JA = 62.5 °C/W). Always verify junction temperature using P_D × R_JC + T_C ≤ 150°C in your design.

Is the TIP32A pin-compatible with other TIP32x variants like TIP32CG?

Yes, the TIP32A is pin-compatible with TIP32G, TIP32BG, and TIP32CG - all share identical TO−220−3 Style 1 pinout (Pin 1 = Base, Pins 2 & 4 = Collector, Pin 3 = Emitter) and mechanical dimensions. However, V_CEO differs: TIP32A = 60 V, TIP32CG = 100 V. Electrical substitution is safe only if voltage stress remains within the lower-rated device's specification.

What is the typical V_CE(sat) of the TIP32A under full-load conditions?

The TIP32A exhibits V_CE(sat) ≤ 1.2 V when operated at I_C = 3.0 A and I_B = 375 mA (IC/IB = 8), per the datasheet's ON CHARACTERISTICS table. At lower base drive (e.g., IC/IB = 10), V_CE(sat) may rise slightly but remains within 1.3 V. This value directly determines conduction loss (P_cond = I_C × V_CE(sat)) and must be included in thermal calculations for the TIP32A.

Does the TIP32A require a heatsink in normal operation?

Yes, the TIP32A requires a heatsink for any continuous operation above ~0.5 A at room ambient, due to its 2.0 W power dissipation limit at T_A = 25°C. Even at 3.0 A with V_CE(sat) = 1.2 V, conduction loss reaches 3.6 W - exceeding the 2.0 W ambient-rated limit. Mounting to a heatsink lowers thermal resistance and enables full 40 W capability at T_C = 25°C, making heatsink use mandatory for rated performance of the TIP32A.

What is the safe operating area (SOA) limitation for the TIP32A in switching applications?

The TIP32A's SOA is bounded by both thermal limits (junction temperature ≤ 150°C) and secondary breakdown, particularly under pulsed inductive loads. Figure 5 in the datasheet shows that at V_CE = 30 V, the maximum single-pulse current is ~1.5 A for 1 ms - well below its 3 A DC rating. For reliable switching, ensure pulse energy stays within 32 mJ (per datasheet Note 1), and avoid simultaneous high V_CE and high I_C beyond the SOA curve. This constraint is critical when using the TIP32A in relay or motor flyback scenarios.

TIP32A Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-220-3

Packaging:: Bulk

Product Status:: Obsolete

Transistor Type:: PNP

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: 3 A

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: 60 V

Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic:: 1.2V @ 375mA, 3A

Current - Collector Cutoff (Max):: 200µA

DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce:: 10 @ 3A, 4V

Power - Max:: 2 W

Frequency - Transition:: 3MHz

Operating Temperature:: 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-220-3

TIP32A FAQ

1.How can I place an order for TIP32A through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TIP32A 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 TIP32A reliable?

The price and inventory of TIP32A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TIP32A is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for TIP32A?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TIP32A transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for TIP32A?

TIP32A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your TIP32A 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 TIP32A?

For technical support, including TIP32A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TIP32A requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that TIP32A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All TIP32A 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 TIP32A meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of TIP32A?

All TIP32A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TIP32A, 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 TIP32A part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for TIP32A:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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