TIP41C - 100V 6A NPN Power BJT TO-220 | STMicroelectronics
MPN: TIP41C ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.72 | $0.72 |
| 10 | $0.62 | $6.20 |
| 100 | $0.48 | $48.00 |
| 500 | $0.41 | $205.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.35 | $350.00 |
TIP41C Overview
A power BJT (bipolar junction transistor) is a current-controlled semiconductor switch and amplifier that sits at the top of the transistor hierarchy: transistor -> bipolar junction transistor -> power BJT. Unlike MOSFETs, BJTs are driven by base current and offer robustness against static discharge, making them a staple in medium-power linear and switching stages.
Key features include base island technology, which STMicroelectronics uses to reduce thermal resistance and improve switching behavior; a 65 W dissipation rating at a properly heatsinked case; and broad availability from multiple second sources, which reduces supply risk in long-lifecycle industrial designs. The TO-220 package mounts to standard heatsinks with a single screw and insulated kit.
Technically, the TIP41C is fabricated on a base island process that minimizes internal parasitic resistance, allowing high collector current with moderate DC current gain. The 'C' suffix denotes the 100 V voltage grade in the TIP41 series (A = 40 V, B = 60 V, C = 100 V), so lower-grade variants must never be substituted in 100 V rails.
Typical applications include linear audio amplifier output stages, general-purpose power linear regulation, relay and solenoid drivers, and low-frequency switching power supplies where the rugged, well-understood BJT behavior is preferred over a MOSFET.
Design consideration: because BJT gain (hFE) falls sharply at high collector current, budget ample base drive current - typically 600 mA or more for a 6 A load - and verify safe operating area margins when switching inductive loads. A snubber or flyback diode is recommended for inductive switching.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet by synthesizing drop-in alternatives, pinout details, design notes, and pricing tiers in one place for engineering and sourcing teams.
Drop-in alternatives for TIP41C — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TIP41CG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TIP41CF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TIP41D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BD911
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BD711
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BDT41C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MJE5180
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TIP41C Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Transistor Polarity | NPN |
| Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vceo) | 100 V |
| Continuous Collector Current (IC) | 6 A |
| Total Power Dissipation (Ptot) | 65 W (at adequate heatsink) |
| Package | TO-220 (TO-220AB), 3-pin through-hole with tab |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Technology | Base island technology |
| Complementary PNP Type | TIP42C |
| Configuration | Single Transistor |
| Number of Pins | 3 (3 + tab) |
| Application | Audio, power linear, and switching |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (RoHS version TIP41CG available) |
| Packaging | Tube |
TIP41C Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Base — Base control terminal (current input) |
| Pin 2 | Collector — Collector; connected to the metal mounting tab |
| Pin 3 | Emitter — Emitter terminal |
Safe Operating Area (Tcase = 25 C)
Typical Applications
TIP41C is suitable for 6 applications: Audio Amplifier Output Stages, Relay and Solenoid Drivers, Linear Power Supplies and Series Pass Elements, Low-Frequency Switching and PWM Motor Control, Inverter and Converter Power Stages, General-Purpose Power Buffers and Current Sources.
Audio Amplifier Output Stages
The TIP41C is purpose-built for linear audio service, as stated in the STMicroelectronics datasheet. Paired with the complementary TIP42C PNP, it forms a class-AB push-pull output pair with 100 V VCEO headroom and 6 A peak capability - enough for tens of watts into 4-8 ohm loads. Base island technology lowers internal resistance, reducing distortion at high output current. Designers should heatsink for worst-case dissipation at high signal amplitude and bias the output pair with a Vbe multiplier to hold quiescent current stable; typical emitter resistors of 0.22-0.47 ohm provide thermal current sharing between the pair.
Recommended
Relay and Solenoid Drivers
For driving 12 V or 24 V relays, solenoids, and contactors from a microcontroller or logic rail, the TIP41C offers a wide safe operating area and high tolerance to inductive kick energy. Its 6 A rating covers large relays and latching solenoids, while the 100 V VCEO absorbs supply transients well beyond a 24 V rail. Always place a flyback diode across the coil, size the base resistor for forced beta around 10 (for a 1 A coil, roughly 100 mA base drive from a driver stage), and check that coil inrush stays within the SOA. Its through-hole TO-220 also survives the vibration profiles common in industrial panels.
Recommended
Linear Power Supplies and Series Pass Elements
The TIP41C works as a series-pass transistor in bench supplies, post-regulators, and emitter-follower stages. The 100 V grade tolerates high input-output differentials, and 65 W dissipation with proper heatsinking supports multi-ampere outputs. Linear pass service exercises the device's secondary-breakdown SOA continuously, so verify load-line margins at maximum VIN-VOUT and full current; parallel devices with 0.22 ohm emitter ballast resistors when more current is needed. Because it is a BJT, the dropout voltage is set by base drive headroom plus VBE (about 1 V or more at load), which is higher than an LDO but simpler to implement in discrete designs.
Recommended
Low-Frequency Switching and PWM Motor Control
In DC motor speed control, heater switching, and low-frequency PWM up to a few kilohertz, the TIP41C provides a rugged, inexpensive switch. Driving with a forced beta of 10 keeps VCEsat low; at 6 A this means roughly 600 mA of base drive, often from a small-signal driver or Darlington stage. Snubbers or catch diodes are mandatory for inductive motor loads to keep switching events inside the reverse-bias SOA. Compared with a MOSFET of similar cost, the TIP41C tolerates gate-less, current-driven control and voltage transients better, but conduction loss (VCEsat times IC) is higher, so heatsinking must account for both switching and on-state losses.
Recommended
Inverter and Converter Power Stages
Low-frequency DC-AC inverters, flyback converters, and battery-charger front ends have long used TIP41-class transistors in their switching stages. The 100 V VCEO suits 12 V and 24 V battery systems with transformer flyback spikes, and the 6 A rating covers transformer primaries in the 50-200 W range. BJT switching requires controlled base current ramp for fast turn-off; a small reverse-bias drive (or Baker clamp) reduces storage time and switching loss. For designs above roughly 20 kHz, a MOSFET will typically be more efficient, but for rugged, low-cost sub-20 kHz converters the TIP41C remains a proven choice with decades of field data.
Recommended
General-Purpose Power Buffers and Current Sources
As an emitter follower, the TIP41C buffers op-amp outputs to drive loads of several hundred milliamps to amps - audio headphone/speaker drivers, lamp drivers, lab current sources, and piezo actuators. Mounted inside the op-amp feedback loop, the transistor's VBE drift is largely cancelled, and the 100 V rating allows high-voltage buffer rails. Set quiescent current via a bias network or current sink to avoid crossover distortion in class-AB buffers, and heatsink for the product of load current and headroom voltage. The TO-220 tab (collector) simplifies mounting to chassis ground in positive-rail configurations where the collector sits at supply potential.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TIP41C — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TIP41CG | BD911 | BD711 | BDT41C | MJE5180 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TO-220 | TO-220 - same | TO-220 - same body, different pin order | TO-220 - same body, different pin order | TO-220 - same | TO-220 - same |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | onsemi | onsemi | onsemi | onsemi |
| Collector-Emitter Voltage | 100 V | 100 V | 100 V | 100 V | 100 V | 100 V |
| Pin Order | B-C-E (pin 2/tab = collector) | B-C-E - identical | Different order - verify footprint | Different order - verify footprint | B-C-E style | Verify per datasheet |
Key Differentiators
- 100 V voltage grade in the standard TIP41 family (vs TIP41A)
- Multi-source availability at lowest cost (vs BD911)
- RoHS drop-in exists within the same die (vs TIP41CG)
Design Notes
Budget base drive with a forced beta of about 10: for a 6 A collector load, plan roughly 600 mA of base current rather than trusting hFE at high IC, because gain collapses sharply in power BJTs. In linear pass service, verify the DC safe operating area at the worst-case VIN-VOUT and load combination - the 65 W rating applies only with the case held near 25 C. Estimated: at 6 A and 5 V of headroom the device dissipates 30 W, which requires a substantial heatsink of roughly 1.5 C/W or better to keep the junction below the datasheet maximum.
Mount the TO-220 with thermal interface material and insulate with a mica or silicone pad when the collector tab potential differs from the heatsink. Estimated: with a typical junction-to-case thermal resistance near 1.9 C/W for TO-220 power BJTs, each 10 W of dissipation adds about 19 C junction-to-case; the pad and heatsink interface then dominates total thermal resistance. Use a torque-limited screw and verify the mounting hole does not stress the tab. For parallel devices, 0.22-0.47 ohm emitter resistors force current sharing and prevent thermal runaway of one die.
Do not substitute lower-grade TIP41A (40 V) or TIP41B (60 V) parts on 100 V rails - inductive flyback can exceed VCEO and cause avalanche failure. When replacing TIP41C with BD-series equivalents, note the pin order differs from the TIP41C B-C-E convention; rework or re-orient the device before powering up. For switching applications above roughly 20 kHz, switching loss and storage time make a MOSFET the better choice - keep the TIP41C to low-frequency PWM, linear, and audio service where its SOA robustness is an advantage.
Compliance Information
The standard TIP41C ordering code is the legacy finish; the RoHS/lead-free variant from STMicroelectronics is the TIP41CG. Verify REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations on the manufacturer compliance portal for the exact ordering code.
