This P-channel MOSFET is a versatile high performance FET capable of low-loss switching and also for making an efficient constant current source. Despite its small size, it offers both a high current capability and ultra-low Rds. You can safely substitute it for many other lower power P-channel FETs due to its high performance characteristics.
Due to probably an unusual quirk of history, lower power FETs such as this one do not come in a through hole package such as TO-92. Those that do often sport unacceptably high Rds levels in the ohms range. When you don’t need the beefy TO-220 package FET and want a cheaper and smaller version, this FET is the one you want.
Don’t be put off by the fact it comes only in a surface-mount package. This package has only three pins and is surprisingly easy to solder. To include it in your project, you can either solder it to a male header as shown in this article, or solder it to your PCB. Hand soldering is actually quite simple:
- Dab a bit of solder on one of the pads.
- Hold the FET to the PCB while reheating the lead and pad just soldered.
- When the FET is secured, simply solder the other two pads.
- Go back to the first lead/pad and retouch it to eliminate any chance of a cold solder joint.
It is really quite easy, although you will need good lighting and possibly some slight magnification. Even if you have never soldered an SMD package before, this one is a good way to build your skills.
Details
- Package: SOT-23
- Type: P-channel MOSFET
- Maximum Vds: -20V
- Maximum Continuous Drain Current: -3.5 A
- Maximum Rds: 0.055 ohms
- Maximum Total Power: dependent on PCB – see data shee
- Datasheet: click here
P-Channel MOSFET, SOT-23 by Provide Your Own is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
