{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"TIP120","brand":"STMicroelectronics","brandSlug":"stmicroelectronics","productSlug":"TIP120","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/stmicroelectronics/TIP120","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/TIP120","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"STMicroelectronics TIP120 NPN Darlington transistor, 60 V Vce, 5 A Ic, 2 W, TO-220-3, through-hole, tube.","salesMarkdown":"## NPN Darlington — 60 V, 5 A, TO-220 The STMicroelectronics TIP120 is an NPN Darlington transistor in a TO-220-3 through-hole package, rated for 60 V collector-emitter breakdown and 5 A continuous collector current. The Darlington pair gives a minimum DC current gain (hFE) of 1000 at 3 A, 3 V — so a microcontroller pin driving 20 mA into the base can switch a 5 A load without a second driver stage. ## Gain and saturation — what the numbers mean for the circuit Vce saturation is specified at 4 V maximum with 20 mA base current and 5 A collector current. That 4 V drop at 5 A means 20 W dissipation during saturation — well above the 2 W package limit — so the transistor must be switched fully on or off, not operated in the linear region at high current. The 1000× minimum gain at 3 A means a base drive of only 3 mA saturates the output at that current, keeping the base-drive circuit simple. The 500 µA maximum collector cutoff current at 150°C junction temperature sets the off-state leakage floor. In a high-impedance load, that leakage can bias the next stage; a pull-down resistor on the output is worth budgeting. ## TO-220 package — mounting and thermal path The TO-220-3 package (supplier device package TO-220) is a through-hole tabbed package. The metal tab is the collector — it must be electrically isolated or connected to the collector rail. For any continuous current above a few hundred milliamps, the tab should be bolted to a heatsink; the 2 W maximum power assumes adequate heatsinking. The junction temperature limit is 150°C. ## Lifecycle and sourcing — obsolete, ROHS3 compliant The TIP120 is classified as Obsolete by STMicroelectronics. It remains ROHS3 compliant. Sourcing is through independent distribution — quoted to order against the BOM quantity; availability and current pricing confirmed at RFQ.","metaTitle":"STMicroelectronics TIP120 NPN Darlington Transistor","metaDescription":"STMicroelectronics TIP120 NPN Darlington transistor, 60 Vce, 5 A Ic, 2 W, TO-220. Obsolete — sourced to order against RFQ. ROHS3 compliant.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":"ROHS3 Compliant","productStatus":"Obsolete","categoryPath":["Discrete Semiconductors"],"specifications":{"Mfr":"STMicroelectronics","Series":"-","Package":"Tube","Power - Max":"2 W","Mounting Type":"Through Hole","Package / Case":"TO-220-3","Product Status":"Active","Transistor Type":"NPN - Darlington","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Base Product Number":"TIP120","Operating Temperature":"150°C (TJ)","Frequency - Transition":"-","Supplier Device Package":"TO-220","Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic":"4V @ 20mA, 5A","Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)":"5 A","Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)":"500µA","DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce":"1000 @ 3A, 3V","Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)":"60 V"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$0.7900","priceTiers":[{"qty":1,"price":"$1.00000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":10,"price":"$0.95000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":20,"price":"$0.90000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":50,"price":"$0.85000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":100,"price":"$0.83000","currency":"USD"}]},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/716114988d8c8dfc7d5f14491223748c.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/TIP120/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Where can I buy the TIP120 and get a price?","answer":"The TIP120 is sourced through independent distribution. No stock-holding claim is made here."},{"question":"Will the TIP120 drop into a board designed for the TIP115?","answer":"The TIP115 is a PNP Darlington in the same TO-220 package. The TIP120 is NPN — the polarity is opposite. They are not drop-in replacements; the board would need a circuit change to swap NPN for PNP."},{"question":"What compliance documentation does STMicroelectronics provide for the TIP120?","answer":"The TIP120 is ROHS3 compliant."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/stmicroelectronics/TIP120","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/stmicroelectronics/TIP120 when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-07-20T19:33:23.519Z","lastPublished":"2026-07-20T19:33:23.519Z","indexable":true}}