The TIP122 is a Darlington pair NPN transistor. It functions like a normal NPN transistor, but since it has a Darlington pair inside it has a good collector current rating of about 5A and a gain of about 1000. It can also withstand about 100V across its collector- Emitter hence can be used to drive heavy loads. The Darlington pair inside this transistor is shown clearly as its internal circuit schematic below. As you can see, there are two transistors inside this TO-220 package in which the emitter of the first transistor is connected with the base of the second transistor and the collector of both transistors are connected together to form a Darlington pair. This increases the current gain and current rating of this transistor.
Features:
Darlington medium-power NPN Transistor
High DC Current Gain (hFE), typically 1000
Continuous Collector current (IC) is 5A
Collector-Emitter voltage (VCE) is 100 V
Collector-Base voltage (VCB) is 100V
Emitter Base Voltage (VBE) is 5V
Base Current(IB) is 120mA
Available in To-220 Package
Applications
Can be used to switch high current (up to 5A) loads
Can be used as medium Power switches
Used where high amplification is needed
Speed control of Motors
Inverter and other rectifier circuits