TIP42C — -100V -6A Silicon Power PNP BJT (TO-220)

Overview

The TIP42C is a -100V -6A silicon power PNP bipolar junction transistor manufactured by STMicroelectronics, onsemi, and Texas Instruments. Housed in an industry-standard TO-220AB through-hole package, it serves as the official complementary PNP counterpart to the TIP41C.

Featuring a collector-emitter breakdown voltage ( $V_{CEO}$ ) of $-100\text{V}$ , a continuous collector current rating of $-6.0\text{A}$ ( $-10.0\text{A}$ pulsed), and a power dissipation capability of $65\text{ Watts}$ at $T_C = 25^\circ\text{C}$ , the TIP42C delivers double the current capacity of the 3A TIP32C. Paired with the TIP41C, it is widely utilized in discrete 50W–100W Class AB hi-fi audio power amplifiers, linear bipolar split-rail bench power supplies, heavy solenoid controllers, and reversible DC motor H-bridge drivers.

Quick reference


Transistor Type	High-Current Silicon PNP Power BJT
Package	TO-220AB (3-pin through-hole)
Collector-Emitter Breakdown ( $V_{CEO}$ )	$-100\text{ V}$ max (TIP42C grade)
Collector-Base Breakdown ( $V_{CBO}$ )	$-100\text{ V}$ max
Continuous Collector Current ( $I_C$ )	$-6.0\text{ A}$ max ( $-10.0\text{ A}$ pulsed)
Base Current ( $I_B$ )	$-2.0\text{ A}$ max
DC Current Gain ( $h_{FE}$ )	$15$ to $75$ ( $I_C = -3.0\text{A}, V_{CE} = -4.0\text{V}$ ) / $\ge 30$ at $-0.3\text{A}$
Collector Saturation ( $V_{CE(sat)}$ )	$-1.5\text{ V}$ max at $I_C = -6.0\text{A}, I_B = -600\text{mA}$
Total Power Dissipation ( $P_D$ )	$65\text{ Watts}$ ( $T_C = 25^\circ\text{C}$ with heatsink) / $2.0\text{ W}$ free air
Transition Frequency ( $f_T$ )	$3.0\text{ MHz}$ min
Complementary NPN Pair	TIP41C (100V 6A NPN)

Pinout (TO-220AB Package - B-C-E Standard)

Looking at the front labeled face with leads pointing downward:

text

        ┌──────────────┐
        │  O  [Metal]  │ ── Tab is internally connected to Pin 2 (Collector)
        ├──────────────┤
        │    TIP42C    │
        └─┬────┬────┬──┘
          1    2    3
          B    C    E

Pin	Name	Type	Description
1	`BASE (B)`	Base Input	Base control input (Driven with base current via driver transistor)
2 (Tab)	`COLLECTOR (C)`	Power Collector	Collector terminal (Internally connected to metal mounting tab)
3	`EMITTER (E)`	Power Emitter	Emitter output (Connected to positive power rail or load)

Specifications

Parameter	Symbol	Min	Typ	Max	Unit	Conditions
Collector-Emitter Breakdown	$V_{(BR)CEO}$	-100	—	—	V	$I_C = -30\text{mA}, I_B = 0$
Collector-Base Breakdown	$V_{(BR)CBO}$	-100	—	—	V	$I_C = -1.0\text{mA}, I_E = 0$
Emitter-Base Breakdown	$V_{(BR)EBO}$	-5.0	—	—	V	$I_E = -1.0\text{mA}, I_C = 0$
Collector Cutoff Current	$I_{CEO}$	—	—	-700	µA	$V_{CE} = -60\text{V}, I_B = 0$
DC Current Gain ( $h_{FE}$ )	$h_{FE}$	30	—	—	—	$I_C = -0.3\text{A}, V_{CE} = -4.0\text{V}$
DC Current Gain ( $h_{FE}$ )	$h_{FE}$	15	—	75	—	$I_C = -3.0\text{A}, V_{CE} = -4.0\text{V}$
Collector Saturation Voltage	$V_{CE(sat)}$	—	—	-1.5	V	$I_C = -6.0\text{A}, I_B = -600\text{mA}$
Base-Emitter On Voltage	$V_{BE(on)}$	—	—	-2.0	V	$I_C = -6.0\text{A}, V_{CE} = -4.0\text{V}$

Voltage Grade Breakdown

Part Number	$V_{CEO}$ Breakdown	$V_{CBO}$ Breakdown	Application Suitability
TIP42	$-40\text{ V}$	$-40\text{ V}$	Low-voltage 12V DC circuits
TIP42A	$-60\text{ V}$	$-60\text{ V}$	24V DC systems
TIP42B	$-80\text{ V}$	$-80\text{ V}$	36V DC audio amplifiers
TIP42C	$-100\text{ V}$	$-100\text{ V}$	Universal / High-Voltage (Standard Stocked Part)

Comparison: TIP42C vs TIP32C vs TIP127

Parameter	TIP32C	TIP42C	TIP127
Device Type	Single Power BJT	Single Power BJT	Darlington Pair
$V_{CEO}$ Voltage	$-100\text{ V}$	$-100\text{ V}$	$-100\text{ V}$
Max Current ( $I_C$ )	$-3.0\text{ A}$	$-6.0\text{ A}$ (Double Current)	$-5.0\text{ A}$
Gain ( $h_{FE}$ )	$25 \dots 50$	$15 \dots 75$	$\ge 1000$ (High Gain)
Saturation $V_{CE(sat)}$	$-1.2\text{ V}$	$-1.5\text{ V}$ (at -6A)	$-2.0\text{ V}$ (Higher Loss)

Common mistakes

Attempting to drive directly from an MCU output: At high load currents ( $I_C = -4\text{A}$ ), the base requires $I_B \approx -200\text{mA} \dots -400\text{mA}$ . Driving base current directly from an MCU output pin will damage the pin or leave the transistor starved for current. Always use a pre-driver BJT (like the BD140 or 2N3906).
Heatsink tab insulation: The metal tab is internally connected to Pin 2 (Collector). When mounting complementary TIP41C and TIP42C pairs on a shared heatsink, use mica/silicone insulating pads and nylon shoulder bushings.

Notes

Suffix Guide: TIP42C is standard TO-220; TIP42CG denotes lead-free RoHS compliance; TIP41C is the complementary NPN partner.