Introduction
The TIP125 is a PNP Darlington power transistor designed for applications that demand high current gain and efficient switching performance. With its Darlington pair configuration, it provides exceptionally high current amplification, making it suitable for driving loads with minimal base current. It is commonly used in motor drivers, relay drivers, audio amplifiers, and power switching circuits, where both reliability and efficiency are required.

The transistor can handle a collector current (Ic) of up to 5A and withstand a collector-emitter voltage (Vce) of 100V, making it ideal for medium to high-power applications. Since it is a PNP Darlington device, the TIP125 has a very high DC current gain (hFE) of 1000 or more, which allows designers to control large loads using very small input signals. The device is housed in the TO-220 package, ensuring good thermal management when mounted with a heatsink.
TIP125 PNP Transistor

The TIP125 is part of a family of PNP Darlington transistors, including the TIP126 and TIP127, which mainly differ in voltage ratings. Together with its NPN complementary counterpart, the TIP120, it is often used in push-pull amplifier stages and H-bridge motor driver designs. Its versatility and availability make it a popular choice in both consumer and industrial electronic applications.
TIP125 Pinout

TIP125 Transistor Key Features
- PNP Darlington transistor with very high current gain.
- Capable of handling up to 5A continuous collector current.
- Suitable for medium- and high-power switching applications.
- TO-220 package with good thermal dissipation.
- Complementary to TIP120 (NPN Darlington transistor).
Specifications/Characteristics of TIP125 PNP Transistor
- Transistor Type: PNP Darlington
- Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vce): 100V
- Collector-Base Voltage (Vcb): 100V
- Emitter-Base Voltage (Veb): 5V
- Collector Current (Ic): 5A
- DC Current Gain (hFE): ≥1000
- Power Dissipation (Ptot): 65W (with proper heatsink)
- Package Type: TO-220
TIP125 Pin Configuration
| Pin# | Pin Name | Pin Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base (B) | Input terminal that controls conduction |
| 2 | Collector (C) | Main terminal for load current |
| 3 | Emitter (E) | Current output terminal |
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Key Applications of TIP125 PNP Transistor
- DC motor driver circuits
- Relay driver and solenoid driver applications
- Power amplifiers (Class B and Class AB stages)
- Battery chargers and power supply regulators
- LED and lamp drivers
- General-purpose medium-power switching
NPN Complimentary Transistor
TIP120 is the NPN complementary transistor of TIP125.
Equivalent Transistors of TIP125
- TIP126 (PNP Darlington, 80V rating)
- TIP127 (PNP Darlington, 60V rating)
- BDW93C (PNP Darlington alternative)
- MJ11015 (PNP Darlington, higher current rating)
- 2N6284 (PNP Darlington transistor alternative)
(Pin configuration of some transistors mentioned above may different from TIP125).
Comparison TIP125 vs TIP126 vs TIP127
The TIP125, TIP126, and TIP127 are all PNP Darlington power transistors housed in the TO-220 package, designed for high-current switching and amplification.
- The main difference among them is the Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vce) rating:
- TIP125 → 100V (highest voltage tolerance, best for higher voltage circuits).
- TIP126 → 80V (medium range, good balance of performance).
- TIP127 → 60V (lowest voltage tolerance, used for low-voltage applications).
- All three support up to 5A collector current, have very high gain (≥1000), and can dissipate 65W with heatsinking.
- Their complementary NPN counterparts are TIP120 (for TIP125), TIP121 (for TIP126), and TIP122 (for TIP127).
In short: Choose TIP125 for higher-voltage applications, TIP126 for mid-range designs, and TIP127 for lower-voltage, cost-sensitive circuits.
Datasheet of TIP125 NPN Transistor
Click the following Button below to download the datasheet of TIP125 Transistor :
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