From a 3.3 V or 5 V pin
| Pin | Verdict | Why | In free air |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32 · 3.3 V | No | threshold up to 4 V | — |
| Arduino Uno · 5 V | Not guaranteed | nothing guaranteed below 10 V | — |
In free air at 25 °C, with the junction 25 °C below its 175 °C maximum and θJA 62 °C/W, at the guaranteed RDS(on) raised with temperature.
Specifications
| Type | N-channel MOSFET |
|---|---|
| Package | TO-220 |
| Maximum voltage | 100 V |
| Maximum current | 33 A |
| Threshold VGS(th) | 2 … 4 V |
| RDS(on), maximum | 44 mΩ at 10 V (16 A) |
| Gate voltage limit | ±20 V |
| Gate charge | 71 nC at 10 V |
| Thermal resistance | θJA 62 °C/W · θJC 1.2 °C/W |
| Maximum junction temperature | 175 °C |
| Datasheet used | Infineon (IR) |
Pinout
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gate |
| 2 | Drain |
| 3 | Source |
Printed face toward you, leads down: pin 1 is on the left. The metal tab is connected to pin 2.
Similar parts
| Part | Package | RDS(on) at 3.3 V | RDS(on) at 5 V | Max voltage | Max current |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRF540N | TO-220 | no | no | 100 V | 33 A |
| 2N7000 | TO-92 | no | 5.3 Ω | 60 V | 200 mA |
| BS170 | TO-92 | no | no | 60 V | 500 mA |
| AO3400A | SOT-23 | 48 mΩ | 32 mΩ | 30 V | 5.7 A |
| Si2302 | SOT-23 | 75 mΩ | 57 mΩ | 20 V | 2.6 A |
| IRLML6344 | SOT-23 | 37 mΩ | 29 mΩ | 30 V | 5 A |
| IRLZ44N | TO-220 | no | 25 mΩ | 55 V | 47 A |
| IRLB8721 | TO-220 | no | 16 mΩ | 30 V | 62 A |
| IRF520 | TO-220 | no | no | 100 V | 9.2 A |
Tips
Keep the 10 kΩ from gate to ground: while the microcontroller boots its pins float and the MOSFET could turn on by itself.
Every coil needs a flyback diode across it, cathode to the positive supply. Without it the voltage spike at turn-off can destroy the transistor at the first switching.
A TO-220 in free air sheds little heat: fit a heatsink, insulated if the tab must not touch it (the tab is the drain or collector).
Open the calculator →Check the IRF540N with your own load, supply, PWM frequency and temperature.
Other transistors
2N2222A 2N3904 BC547 S8050 TIP120 2N7000 BS170 AO3400A Si2302 IRLML6344 IRLZ44N IRLB8721 IRF520 AO3401A IRF9540N
Frequently asked questions
Does the IRF540N work with a 3.3 V ESP32?
No: its threshold can be as high as 4 V, so a 3.3 V pin may not turn the IRF540N on at all. Use a MOSFET guaranteed at 2.5 V such as the AO3400A, or a gate driver.
What is the IRF540N pinout?
TO-220: 1 gate, 2 drain, 3 source. Printed face toward you, leads down: pin 1 is on the left. The metal tab is connected to pin 2.
Source of the figures: Infineon (IR) datasheet (PDF)