ULQ2001A Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The ULQ2001A is a Bipolar (BJT) Transistor Array manufactured by STMicroelectronics, consisting of 7 NPN Darlington transistors in a 16-DIP through-hole package. This component is rated for 50V collector-emitter breakdown voltage and 500mA maximum collector current, making it suitable for relay driver and solenoid control applications. The part is currently in Active product status with 2100 units in stock. Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary when the ULQ2001A reaches end-of-life, when alternative sourcing is required, or when design flexibility across manufacturers is needed while maintaining electrical and mechanical compatibility.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Manufacturer	STMicroelectronics	—
Part Number	ULQ2001A	—
Category	Transistors, Bipolar (BJT)	—
Transistor Type	7 NPN Darlington	—
Package Type	16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	—
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	50	V
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	500	mA
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	1.6 @ 500µA, 350mA	V
DC Current Gain (hFE) (Min) @ Ic, Vce	1000 @ 350mA, 2V	—
Operating Temperature (Max)	150	°C
Product Status	Active	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the ULQ2001A is determined by the following critical parameters:

Electrical Compatibility Requirements:

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max): 50V minimum
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max): 500mA minimum
Output Type: NPN or Darlington configuration
Number of Outputs: 7 transistor array
Ratio - Input:Output: 1:1

Mechanical Compatibility Requirements:

Package Type: 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Mounting Type: Through Hole
Supplier Device Package: 16-DIP or 16-PDIP

Compliance Requirements:

RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status: REACH Unaffected

All substitute parts listed below meet these electrical, mechanical, and compliance criteria. Substitutes are grouped by manufacturer and product status to facilitate sourcing decisions.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Transistor Type	Voltage (Max) V	Current (Max) mA	Package	Product Status	Operating Temp (Max) °C
ULQ2001A	STMicroelectronics	7 NPN Darlington	50	500	16-DIP	Active	150
ULN2001A	STMicroelectronics	7 NPN	50	500	16-DIP	Active	85
ULN2004AIN	Texas Instruments	7 NPN	50	500	16-PDIP	Last Time Buy	105
ULN2002AN	Texas Instruments	7 NPN	50	500	16-PDIP	Last Time Buy	70
ULN2003AN	Texas Instruments	7 Darlington	50	500	16-PDIP	Active	70
ULN2004AN	Texas Instruments	7 NPN	50	500	16-PDIP	Last Time Buy	70
ULQ2004AN	Texas Instruments	7 NPN	50	500	16-PDIP	Last Time Buy	85

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitute (Active Status): ULN2003AN (Texas Instruments) is the recommended primary substitute. This part maintains Active product status, shares identical electrical ratings (50V, 500mA, 7-output configuration), and features Darlington output type matching the ULQ2001A. The 16-PDIP package is mechanically compatible with 16-DIP footprints in through-hole applications. Operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C is suitable for most industrial applications. Inventory availability is high at 55,100 units.

Secondary Substitute (Active Status): ULN2001A (STMicroelectronics) provides continuity within the same manufacturer family. This part is Active status with identical voltage and current ratings. The primary difference is NPN output type versus Darlington, which affects input impedance characteristics but maintains functional compatibility for relay driver applications. Operating temperature maximum of 85°C exceeds the ULN2003AN specification.

Alternative Substitutes (Last Time Buy Status): ULN2004AIN, ULN2002AN, ULN2004AN, and ULQ2004AN are available as alternatives but carry Last Time Buy product status, indicating limited future availability. These parts meet all electrical and mechanical compatibility criteria but should be selected only when primary and secondary options are unavailable or when specific operating temperature ranges are required.

All substitute parts are ROHS3 Compliant and REACH Unaffected, maintaining regulatory compliance with the original ULQ2001A.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can ULN2003AN directly replace ULQ2001A in my circuit? A: Yes. Both parts share identical electrical specifications (50V, 500mA, 7-output array, 1:1 input-output ratio) and are mechanically compatible in 16-DIP through-hole applications. The primary difference is Darlington output type in both parts, ensuring functional equivalence for relay and solenoid driver circuits.

Q: What is the difference between 16-DIP and 16-PDIP packages? A: Both designations refer to 16-pin dual inline packages with 0.300" (7.62mm) pitch. The packages are mechanically and electrically interchangeable in through-hole PCB applications. PDIP specifically denotes plastic DIP, while DIP is the generic designation.

Q: Why is ULQ2001A listed as Active while many substitutes show Last Time Buy status? A: Product status reflects manufacturer lifecycle declarations. ULQ2001A remains in active production by STMicroelectronics. Several Texas Instruments equivalents (ULN2004AIN, ULN2002AN, ULN2004AN, ULQ2004AN) have reached Last Time Buy status, meaning production is ending but parts remain available from existing inventory. ULN2003AN maintains Active status and represents the most future-proof substitute option.

Q: Are there operating temperature differences I should consider? A: Yes. ULQ2001A operates to 150°C junction temperature, while most substitutes operate to 70°C or 85°C ambient temperature. For applications requiring extended temperature operation above 85°C, ULQ2001A or ULN2001A are preferred. For standard industrial applications (-40°C to 70°C), all listed substitutes are suitable.

Q: Do all substitutes meet RoHS and REACH compliance? A: Yes. All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 Compliant and REACH Unaffected, matching the compliance profile of the ULQ2001A.

Q: What inventory considerations should guide my selection? A: ULN2003AN offers the highest inventory availability at 55,100 units, providing supply security. ULN2004AN provides 107,100 units but carries Last Time Buy status. ULQ2001A maintains 2,100 units in Active status. For long-term production requirements, prioritize Active status parts (ULQ2001A, ULN2001A, ULN2003AN).

Q: Can I use NPN output types as substitutes for Darlington types? A: Functionally yes, with circuit design considerations. NPN types (ULN2004AN, ULN2002AN, ULN2004AIN, ULQ2004AN) have lower input impedance and different switching characteristics compared to Darlington types (ULQ2001A, ULN2003AN). Both configurations are suitable for relay driver applications but may require input circuit adjustments for optimal performance.

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