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Power dissipated across a mosfet — Parallax Forums

Power dissipated across a mosfet

Zap-oZap-o Posts: 452
edited 2010-06-16 15:32 in General Discussion
So I was reading the PDF "process and control" and came across the transistor curve for power.
attachment.php?attachmentid=71179


My question is, will a mosfet have the same characteristics? Obviously its not linear but will the power go down as the mosfet is saturated?


I did run some numbers and came up with a plot of my own - just wondering if I did it right?
The X numbers are Gate voltage and the Y numbers is Watts

attachment.php?attachmentid=71180

I used a common source schematic for the calculations in my plot.

Post Edited (Zap-o) : 6/15/2010 1:00:11 PM GMT
693 x 478 - 46K
713 x 437 - 25K

Comments

  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2010-06-15 15:51
    "...but will the power go down as the mosfet is saturated? "

    Simple answer: yes.

    Take a look at a MOSFET data sheet and you'll find a similar power curve. Anything between "all on" and "all off" is where the FET drain/source junction will dissipate power (heat).

    Regards,

    DJ

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  • Zap-oZap-o Posts: 452
    edited 2010-06-15 19:46
    Thank you for reassuring me. At times I over think the simple things and end up lost in some factious technicality.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2010-06-15 21:55
    ...you're welcome.

    Grab the MOSFET-in-question datasheet and confirm. Then your assurance will move to confidence.


    "Measure twice - Cut once",

    DJ

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  • Zap-oZap-o Posts: 452
    edited 2010-06-16 12:17
    Yes I looked at the data sheet and I dont see anything about the power curve. Take a look and please show me so that I may learn the terminology.

    www.irf.com/product-info/datasheets/data/irf4905pbf.pdf
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2010-06-16 15:32
    Zap,

    The curve in question is on page 4, figure 8 "Maximum Safe Operating Area".


    Regards,

    DJ

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