Introduction
The TIP120 NPN transistor is a popular Darlington power transistor designed for high current and high voltage applications. Unlike a standard transistor, it consists of two NPN transistors connected in a Darlington pair configuration, which provides a very high current gain. This makes the TIP120 suitable for driving heavy loads such as motors, solenoids, and relays using low current control signals from microcontrollers or logic circuits like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or PLCs.
One of the most important features of the TIP120 transistor is its ability to handle high collector current up to 5A and withstand voltages up to 60V. Thanks to its Darlington configuration, it offers a very high DC current gain (hFE) of up to 1000, which allows small input currents to control large loads. This makes it ideal for switching and amplification applications where efficiency and power control are essential.
TIP120 NPN Transistor
The TIP120 comes in the standard TO-220 package, making it easy to mount on heat sinks for better thermal performance. It is widely used in motor control circuits, LED driving, audio amplifiers, relay drivers, and industrial automation. Due to its robustness, affordability, and availability, it remains one of the most commonly used Darlington NPN transistors in both educational projects and professional designs.
TIP120 Pinout
TIP120 Transistor Key Features
- Darlington pair transistor design for very high gain.
- Capable of driving high current loads directly.
- Low input base current requirement.
- TO-220 package for efficient heat dissipation.
- Compatible with microcontroller-based switching applications.
- Widely used in automation, robotics, and control systems.
Specifications/Characteristics of TIP120 NPN Transistor
- Transistor Type: NPN Darlington
- Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vce): 60V
- Collector-Base Voltage (Vcb): 60V
- Emitter-Base Voltage (Veb): 5V
- Collector Current (Ic): 5A (continuous)
- Peak Collector Current: 8A
- DC Current Gain (hFE): 1000 (typical)
- Power Dissipation (Ptot): 65W
- Package Type: TO-220
- Operating Temperature Range: -65°C to +150°C
TIP120 Pin Configuration
| Pin# | Pin Name | Pin Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base | Controls transistor operation (input). |
| 2 | Collector | Current flows from collector to emitter. |
| 3 | Emitter | Connected to ground or load return path. |
More Circuit Layouts
Key Applications of TIP120 NPN Transistor
- Relay and solenoid driver circuits.
- DC motor speed control and stepper motor driving.
- High-power LED driving.
- Power amplifier stages.
- Switching heavy loads with microcontrollers.
- Industrial automation and robotics.
PNP Complimentary Transistor
TIP125 (PNP Darlington) is the direct complementary of TIP120.
Equivalent Transistors of TIP120
- TIP121 (NPN Darlington, 80V version)
- TIP122 (NPN Darlington, 100V version)
- BDW93 (NPN Darlington alternative)
- 2N6284 (NPN Darlington, higher current rating)
- MJE800 series as functional replacements
(Pin configuration of some transistors mentioned here may different from TIP120).
Datasheet of TIP120 NPN Transistor
Click the following Button below to download the datasheet of TIP120 Transistor :
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