TIP29-BP Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The TIP29-BP is an NPN bipolar junction transistor manufactured by Micro Commercial Co, rated for 40 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 1 A maximum collector current in a TO-220AB through-hole package. This device is classified as obsolete, making identification of equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. The TIP29-BP delivers 30 W maximum power dissipation with a 3 MHz transition frequency, suitable for general-purpose switching and amplification applications requiring moderate voltage and current ratings.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	40	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	1	A
Power - Max	30	W
Frequency - Transition	3	MHz
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-220-3	—
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the TIP29-BP is determined by strict electrical and mechanical compatibility within the following criteria:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Transistor type must be NPN
Collector-emitter breakdown voltage must equal or exceed 40 V
Maximum collector current must equal or exceed 1 A
Maximum power dissipation must equal or exceed 30 W
Transition frequency must equal or exceed 3 MHz
Mounting type must be through-hole
Package must be TO-220-3 or compatible TO-220 variant
Operating temperature range must encompass the application requirements

Identified Substitute Parts:

TIP29 (Solid State Inc.) — Direct equivalent with identical electrical ratings (40 V, 1 A, 30 W, 3 MHz). Active product status. Packaging differs (bulk vs. tube). TO-220 package variant compatible with TO-220-3 footprint. Extended lower operating temperature limit (-65°C vs. -55°C).

TIP31C-BP (Micro Commercial Co) — Higher-rated substitute with elevated voltage (100 V) and current (3 A) specifications. Exceeds TIP29-BP electrical requirements. Active product status. Identical TO-220AB package. Reduced maximum power rating (2 W) represents a constraint for high-power applications but acceptable for switching-dominated circuits. Identical transition frequency (3 MHz).

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	TIP29-BP (Main)	TIP29 (Solid State Inc.)	TIP31C-BP (Micro Commercial Co)	Unit
Manufacturer	Micro Commercial Co	Solid State Inc.	Micro Commercial Co	—
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	—
Transistor Type	NPN	NPN	NPN	—
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	40	40	100	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	1	1	3	A
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	700mV @ 125mA, 1A	700mV @ 125mA, 1A	1.2V @ 375mA, 3A	—
Current - Collector Cutoff (Max)	300µA	200µA	300µA	µA
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	15 @ 1A, 4V	40 @ 200mA, 4V	10 @ 3A, 4V	—
Power - Max	30	30	2	W
Frequency - Transition	3	3	3	MHz
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	-65 to 150	—* to 150	°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	—
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	—

*TIP31C-BP operating temperature minimum not provided in input data.

Engineering Selection Recommendations

TIP29 (Solid State Inc.) — Preferred Direct Equivalent

The TIP29 from Solid State Inc. is the optimal substitute for the obsolete TIP29-BP. This device maintains identical electrical specifications (40 V, 1 A, 30 W, 3 MHz) and is currently in active production status with 1900 units in stock. Both devices are ROHS3 compliant with MSL 1 rating. The TIP29 offers an extended lower operating temperature limit (-65°C vs. -55°C), providing additional thermal margin for low-temperature applications. The TO-220 package variant is mechanically and electrically compatible with the TO-220-3 footprint. This substitution requires no circuit redesign.

TIP31C-BP (Micro Commercial Co) — Higher-Rated Alternative

The TIP31C-BP is a higher-specification substitute suitable for applications where the TIP29-BP operates below its maximum ratings. This device provides elevated voltage (100 V) and current (3 A) headroom, enabling use in circuits with higher supply voltages or transient conditions. The TIP31C-BP is active production with 4421 units in stock and maintains ROHS3 compliance and MSL 1 rating. The critical limitation is reduced maximum power dissipation (2 W vs. 30 W), restricting use to switching-dominated applications rather than linear amplification or continuous high-power dissipation scenarios. Identical TO-220AB packaging and 3 MHz transition frequency ensure direct mechanical and frequency compatibility. This substitution is appropriate when circuit voltage or current requirements exceed TIP29-BP ratings but power dissipation remains moderate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can TIP29 (Solid State Inc.) directly replace TIP29-BP in all applications?

A: Yes. The TIP29 from Solid State Inc. maintains identical electrical ratings (40 V, 1 A, 30 W, 3 MHz) and TO-220 package compatibility. No circuit modifications are required. The extended operating temperature range (-65°C to 150°C) provides additional margin compared to the TIP29-BP (-55°C to 150°C).

Q: When should TIP31C-BP be used instead of TIP29?

A: TIP31C-BP is appropriate when circuit supply voltage exceeds 40 V or collector current requirements exceed 1 A. The 100 V and 3 A ratings provide higher electrical headroom. However, the reduced power rating (2 W vs. 30 W) restricts TIP31C-BP to switching applications with minimal continuous power dissipation. For linear amplification or high-power dissipation circuits, TIP29 remains the correct choice.

Q: Are all three devices pin-compatible?

A: Yes. TIP29-BP, TIP29, and TIP31C-BP all use the TO-220-3 package with identical pin configuration (base, collector, emitter). Direct socket substitution is possible without PCB modification.

Q: What is the difference between TO-220 and TO-220AB packaging?

A: Both designations refer to the same three-lead through-hole package with identical mechanical and electrical footprints. TO-220AB is a supplier-specific designation. No functional or compatibility difference exists for circuit applications.

Q: Are there compliance differences between the substitute parts?

A: All three devices are ROHS3 compliant with MSL 1 (unlimited moisture sensitivity). TIP29-BP and TIP29 are both REACH unaffected. TIP31C-BP REACH status is vendor-defined. All devices carry EAR99 ECCN classification. Compliance requirements are equivalent for standard industrial applications.

Q: Why is TIP29-BP marked as obsolete?

A: Obsolete status indicates the device is no longer manufactured by Micro Commercial Co. However, 1067 units remain in stock. The active TIP29 from Solid State Inc. provides identical specifications and ensures long-term design continuity.

Q: Can TIP31C-BP be used in a circuit designed for TIP29-BP if power dissipation is low?

A: Yes, provided circuit voltage does not exceed 100 V and collector current does not exceed 3 A. The reduced power rating (2 W) is not a constraint in switching applications with minimal continuous dissipation. However, TIP29 is the preferred choice for direct replacement due to matched power specifications.

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