IRF540 Pinout, Equivalent, Specs, Applications & More

This post describes IRF540 pinout, equivalent, specs, applications and other useful information about how and where to use this device in your applications.

 

Features / Technical Specifications:

• Package Type: TO-220
• Transistor Type: N Channel
• Max Voltage Applied From Drain to Source: 100V
• Max Gate to Source Voltage Should Be: ±20V
• Max Continues Drain Current is : 23A (Different manufacturers have slightly different ratings of continuous drain current)
• Max Pulsed Drain Current is: 92A (Different manufacturers have slightly different ratings of continuous drain current)
• Max Power Dissipation is: 100W
• Minimum Voltage Required to Conduct: 2V to 4V
• Max Storage & Operating temperature Should Be: -55 to +150 Celsius

 

IRF540 Replacement and Equivalent:

2SK1928, BUZ21, 2SK2314, 2SK2466, 2SK2391, 2SK2466, BUK445-100A, BUK455-100A, BUK551-100A, BUK555-100A, IRFI540G, IRFS540, MTP27N10E, RFP22N10, 2SK2789

 

IRF540 Transistor Explained / Description:

IRF540 is a power MOSFET designed to drive high current loads. It can handle maximum load of upto 23A and the maximum load voltage is upto 100V DC. It is using trench technology which makes it capable to reach high level of driving capability. It can be used for both switching and amplification purposes. This transistor possesses some of the good features that make it ideal to use as a switch. It is capable to perform high speed switching therefore it can be used in wide variety of application where you want to switch the load with high speed such as UPS.

Other than that it can also be used as an amplifier, the maximum power dissipation of 100W makes it ideal to build a high power audio amplifier and it can also be used in high power audio amplifier stages.

 

 

Where We Can Use it & How to Use:

IRF540 can be used for both purposes i.e switching and amplification. As a switch it can be used in many applications such as power supplies, battery management applications, DC to DC converters etc. It can also be used at the output of microcontrollers and electronic platform like arduino, raspberry pi etc. to drive high ampere loads. On the other hand it can be used to build high power audio amplifiers.

Wiring or using the MOSFETs are almost same as the BJT’s, while operating the main difference between the two is that MOSFET are the voltage controlled devices and BJTs are current controlled devices so MOSFET transistor don’t require current at its Gate you can controlled them by voltage. The minimum voltage IRF540 transistor required for saturation is 2V to 4V.

 

Applications:

Fast Switching Applications

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Battery Chargers

Battery Management Systems

Solar Battery Chargers

Solar Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Motor Driver Applications

Telecommunication Applications

Computer Related Applications

 

How to Safely Long Run in a Circuit:

For long term performance in your applications it is suggested to always operate alteast 20% below from its maximum ratings. The maximum drain current is 23A therefore try to stay under 18A and the maximum load voltage is 100V therefore drive load under 80V. The Gate to source voltage should be under ±20V. Always use a proper heatsink with the transistor. The operating and storing temperature should always be above -55 Celsius and below +155 Celsius.

 

Datasheet:

To Download the datasheet just copy and paste the below link in your browser.

https://cdn.datasheetspdf.com/pdf-down/I/R/F/IRF540_PhilipsSemiconductors.pdf