ULN2803C 8-Channel High-Current Darlington Transistor Array

Description

The ULN2803C is a versatile 8-channel Darlington transistor array designed to bridge the gap between low-power microcontrollers and high-power peripherals. Each of the eight NPN Darlington pairs can handle up to 500mA of continuous current and withstand voltages up to 50V, making it a "must-have" for hobbyists working with Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi. This specific version comes in a through-hole (DIP) package, which is ideal for breadboarding, prototyping, and DIY soldering projects. Whether you need to switch heavy-duty relays, drive stepper motors, or control high-brightness LED arrays, the ULN2803C provides a compact, reliable, and easy-to-implement solution.

FEATURES

• 8-Channel Driver: Control up to eight independent loads with a single chip.

• High-Current Output: Each channel supports a 500mA rated collector current.

• 50V Output Rating: Handles high-voltage loads safely.

• Integrated Clamp Diodes: Built-in protection against inductive voltage spikes (flyback) from motors and relays.

• Logic Compatibility: Features a 2.7kΩ series base resistor for direct operation with 5V CMOS and TTL logic.

• Parallelable Outputs: Channels can be connected in parallel to achieve higher current capacity for a single load.

• Through-Hole Package: Easy to use with breadboards and perf-boards.

Applications

• Relay and Solenoid Drivers

• Stepper Motor Control

• LED Matrix and Display Drivers

• DC Brushed Motor Driving

• Logic Buffers and Line Drivers

• Lamp and Hammer Drivers

Parameters

• Channels: 8

• Transistor Type: NPN Darlington Pair

• Max Collector-Emitter Voltage (VCE): 50V

• Max Output Current (per channel): 500mA

• Peak Collector Current: 500mA

• Input Voltage (VI): Up to 30V

• Input Compatibility: 5V TTL / CMOS

• Package Type: 18-pin PDIP (Through-Hole)

• Operating Temperature: -40°C to 85°C