TDA2030

The TDA2030 is STMicroelectronics' monolithic class AB audio power amplifier in the five-lead Pentawatt (TO-220 style) package. It delivers 14 W typical into 4 Ω at 0.5 % distortion from ±14 V rails — with 12 W into 4 Ω and 8 W into 8 Ω guaranteed under DIN45500 conditions — and up to 18 W into 4 Ω when the distortion budget is relaxed to 10 %. Supply options are ±6 V to ±18 V split, or a single 12 V to 36 V rail using the output-coupled application circuit; absolute maximum is ±18 V (36 V total). Quiescent current is 40 mA typical and 60 mA maximum at Vs = ±18 V.

The internal topology is a high-gain differential input stage followed by a class AB output stage with 90 dB open-loop gain, so closed-loop gain is set entirely by external feedback components; the reference circuit uses 22 kΩ and 680 Ω for 30 dB. Input resistance is 0.5 MΩ typical, input noise is 3 µV over 22 Hz to 22 kHz, supply voltage rejection is 40 dB minimum (50 dB typical) at 100 Hz ripple, and power bandwidth runs from 10 Hz to 140 kHz at −3 dB. Output peak current is internally limited to 3.5 A.

Two protection features are the reason the TDA2030 survives abuse in consumer products. ST's patented short-circuit system automatically limits dissipated power so the output transistors stay inside their safe operating area, and a conventional thermal shutdown protects the die if the heatsink is undersized. Junction-to-case thermal resistance is 3 °C/W maximum with a 20 W total dissipation rating at 90 °C case temperature, so a real heatsink and a mica-free mounting interface are mandatory — with a single 28 V rail and 4 Ω load the device dissipates several watts at full output. Add the recommended 1 Ω series resistor with 0.22 µF Zobel network for inductive loads, 0.1 µF plus 100 µF supply bypassing on each rail, and 1N4001 clamp diodes when the supply can be regenerated by the speaker.

Sourcing notes: the TDA2030 (V vertical and H horizontal lead-form variants) is complemented by the higher-rail TDA2030A and by pin-compatible LM1875 parts that deliver 20 W. It is one of the most counterfeited audio ICs in Asia, where remarked TDA2003, TDA2006 or lower-rated die are sold as TDA2030. Validate a lot by running a full-output dummy-load test with THD and temperature monitoring, and inspect ST's laser marking and package weight. MOQ is typically 1 tube or 500 pcs for volume, with 1-3 day dispatch from Shenzhen stock and 4-8 weeks through the ST authorized channel.