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ULN2803A

ULN2803A

STMicroelectronics
Bipolar (BJT) Transistor Array 8 NPN Darlington 50V 500mA 2.25W Through Hole 18-DIP
Active57,060 in stock

Overview

The ULN2803A is an eight-channel Darlington transistor array designed for high-current, high-voltage switching applications. Each channel is rated for 500mA and 50V, making it a standard interface for driving inductive loads from low-power logic. It features integrated clamp diodes for transient suppression and a pinout that places inputs directly opposite outputs to simplify PCB routing.

Why Choose This Part

The through-hole 18-DIP package is ideal for prototyping and easy replacement in industrial environments. It consolidates eight discrete driver circuits into a single chip with built-in flyback protection, significantly reducing component count and board space compared to discrete BJT designs.

Applications

Relay Driving
Switching multiple 12V or 24V electromechanical relays from a single 5V microcontroller.
Stepper Motor Control
Driving unipolar stepper motors by sequencing the four or eight phases of the motor coils.
LED Hammer Drivers
Controlling high-power LED segments or large numerical displays that exceed the current capacity of standard GPIO.
Solenoid Actuation
Operating pneumatic valves or mechanical latches requiring up to 500mA of peak current.

Key Specifications

Power - Max 2.25W
Mounting Type Through Hole
Package / Case 18-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Transistor Type 8 NPN Darlington
Operating Temperature -20degC ~ 85degC (TA)
Supplier Device Package 18-DIP
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic 1.6V @ 500uA, 350mA
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max) 500mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max) 50V

Getting Started

Connect the GND pin to the logic ground and the COM pin to the positive load supply voltage to enable the internal suppression diodes. Since the inputs are compatible with TTL and 5V CMOS logic, they can be driven directly from an Arduino or Raspberry Pi GPIO. Ensure the total power dissipation does not exceed 2.25W when driving multiple channels simultaneously.

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