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Mosfet/hexfet? — Parallax Forums

Mosfet/hexfet?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2002-12-19 00:27 in General Discussion
Hi, I just joined this group and have learned a bunch just reading
the posts but had a couple of questions. I am attempting to design a
circuit that I hope to control with a basic stamp. Hopefully, the
stamp will control a couple of solenoids and I'm pretty sure that the
solenoids draw too many amps to be used without a MOSFET or some
other switch. I've been reading about the various types and have
given up on the hope that the local Radio Shack will ever receive the
IRF510 that I ordered months ago. I have been browsing a catalog and
see MOSFET's and HEXFET's, are they the same? I'm not sure at this
point how many amps the solenoids will draw or what solenoid I will
be using yet so I'm still window shopping. Any guidance would be
appreciated. Thanks

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 02:30
    There are logic level MOSFETS such as the IRL540N(36A). Here is one supplier
    of
    them;
    http://www.glitchbuster.com

    > Hi, I just joined this group and have learned a bunch just reading
    > the posts but had a couple of questions. I am attempting to design a
    > circuit that I hope to control with a basic stamp. Hopefully, the
    > stamp will control a couple of solenoids and I'm pretty sure that the
    > solenoids draw too many amps to be used without a MOSFET or some
    > other switch. I've been reading about the various types and have
    > given up on the hope that the local Radio Shack will ever receive the
    > IRF510 that I ordered months ago. I have been browsing a catalog and
    > see MOSFET's and HEXFET's, are they the same? I'm not sure at this
    > point how many amps the solenoids will draw or what solenoid I will
    > be using yet so I'm still window shopping. Any guidance would be
    > appreciated. Thanks



    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 02:39
    In a message dated 12/17/2002 6:33:46 PM Pacific Standard Time,
    smartdim@a... writes:

    >
    > There are logic level MOSFETS such as the IRL540N(36A). Here is one
    > supplier
    > of
    > them;
    > http://www.glitchbuster.com

    OR www.digikey.com


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 04:41
    http://www.newark.com/NewarkWebCommerce/newark/en_US/support/catalog/product
    Detail.jsp?id=06F8237

    only 71 cents a piece too.
    I get all my stuff from Newark. You have to pay a few bucks for shipping,
    so you might as well go all out and order 10 of those FETs just because it
    is inevitable that you'll screw one up somehow [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    -- Kyle S.


    Original Message
    From: <hilokine@g...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 8:51 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] MOSFET/HEXFET?


    > Hi, I just joined this group and have learned a bunch just reading
    > the posts but had a couple of questions. I am attempting to design a
    > circuit that I hope to control with a basic stamp. Hopefully, the
    > stamp will control a couple of solenoids and I'm pretty sure that the
    > solenoids draw too many amps to be used without a MOSFET or some
    > other switch. I've been reading about the various types and have
    > given up on the hope that the local Radio Shack will ever receive the
    > IRF510 that I ordered months ago. I have been browsing a catalog and
    > see MOSFET's and HEXFET's, are they the same? I'm not sure at this
    > point how many amps the solenoids will draw or what solenoid I will
    > be using yet so I'm still window shopping. Any guidance would be
    > appreciated. Thanks
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 17:25
    Hi... Do you know the resistance of the solenoid, and the operating
    voltage? Or maybe their current rating? If so, we can help you select a
    good MOSFET match for your project.

    The IRF510 does not fully turn on with a "high" from a Stamp pin. It can
    work okay sometimes, but there will be more resistance than if it was fully
    on, which means that the transistor is using up some of the power that you
    wanted to use in your load (solenoids in this case). That power turns into
    heat in the transistor, and you might even end up needing a heat sink which
    wouldn't have been required if the transistor was fully on. That's why I
    really like the logic gate voltage MOSFETS. They're fully on with a Stamp
    pin "high" output.

    Common part numbers are:

    IRL520N - 10A/100V
    IRL530N - 17A/100V
    IRL540N - 36A/100V

    The current ratings are continuous, and brief peak currents can be
    considerably higher. HEXFETs are an International Rectifier (IR) trademark
    for their power MOSFET transistors. Since the above part numbers are from
    IR, they are both MOSFETs and HEXFETs.

    Since someone already mentioned www.glitchbuster.com, I'll admit it --
    that's me. Pricing, for example, on the IRL530N is 0.99 vs. 1.53 at
    DigiKey. Shipping for any number of components is only $1.85, with no
    minimum order. (I'm only mentioning this because pricing has been discussed
    in previous posts to this thread, and hope this isn't against list
    etiquette.)

    Interesting email name... are you in HI, or the pacific islands?

    Randy Jones
    www.glitchbuster.com
    (A happy Parallax customer since 1993)

    Original Message
    From: <hilokine@g...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 5:51 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] MOSFET/HEXFET?


    > Hi, I just joined this group and have learned a bunch just reading
    > the posts but had a couple of questions. I am attempting to design a
    > circuit that I hope to control with a basic stamp. Hopefully, the
    > stamp will control a couple of solenoids and I'm pretty sure that the
    > solenoids draw too many amps to be used without a MOSFET or some
    > other switch. I've been reading about the various types and have
    > given up on the hope that the local Radio Shack will ever receive the
    > IRF510 that I ordered months ago. I have been browsing a catalog and
    > see MOSFET's and HEXFET's, are they the same? I'm not sure at this
    > point how many amps the solenoids will draw or what solenoid I will
    > be using yet so I'm still window shopping. Any guidance would be
    > appreciated. Thanks
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 17:36
    you can always use some op-amps to step op the gate voltage to the MOSFET in
    order for it to turn on.
    That way you can also control the current from the stamp since it can only
    source 20mA (bs2). I think a 330 ohm resistor will limit the high signal to
    15 mA, then you can just step up the voltage. It also provides somewhat of
    a buffer between the solenoid and the FET, which gives you a better chance
    of not frying your stamp.

    Original Message
    From: "Randy Jones" <randyjones@w...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 12:25 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] MOSFET/HEXFET?


    > Hi... Do you know the resistance of the solenoid, and the operating
    > voltage? Or maybe their current rating? If so, we can help you select a
    > good MOSFET match for your project.
    >
    > The IRF510 does not fully turn on with a "high" from a Stamp pin. It can
    > work okay sometimes, but there will be more resistance than if it was
    fully
    > on, which means that the transistor is using up some of the power that you
    > wanted to use in your load (solenoids in this case). That power turns
    into
    > heat in the transistor, and you might even end up needing a heat sink
    which
    > wouldn't have been required if the transistor was fully on. That's why I
    > really like the logic gate voltage MOSFETS. They're fully on with a Stamp
    > pin "high" output.
    >
    > Common part numbers are:
    >
    > IRL520N - 10A/100V
    > IRL530N - 17A/100V
    > IRL540N - 36A/100V
    >
    > The current ratings are continuous, and brief peak currents can be
    > considerably higher. HEXFETs are an International Rectifier (IR)
    trademark
    > for their power MOSFET transistors. Since the above part numbers are from
    > IR, they are both MOSFETs and HEXFETs.
    >
    > Since someone already mentioned www.glitchbuster.com, I'll admit it --
    > that's me. Pricing, for example, on the IRL530N is 0.99 vs. 1.53 at
    > DigiKey. Shipping for any number of components is only $1.85, with no
    > minimum order. (I'm only mentioning this because pricing has been
    discussed
    > in previous posts to this thread, and hope this isn't against list
    > etiquette.)
    >
    > Interesting email name... are you in HI, or the pacific islands?
    >
    > Randy Jones
    > www.glitchbuster.com
    > (A happy Parallax customer since 1993)
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: <hilokine@g...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 5:51 PM
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] MOSFET/HEXFET?
    >
    >
    > > Hi, I just joined this group and have learned a bunch just reading
    > > the posts but had a couple of questions. I am attempting to design a
    > > circuit that I hope to control with a basic stamp. Hopefully, the
    > > stamp will control a couple of solenoids and I'm pretty sure that the
    > > solenoids draw too many amps to be used without a MOSFET or some
    > > other switch. I've been reading about the various types and have
    > > given up on the hope that the local Radio Shack will ever receive the
    > > IRF510 that I ordered months ago. I have been browsing a catalog and
    > > see MOSFET's and HEXFET's, are they the same? I'm not sure at this
    > > point how many amps the solenoids will draw or what solenoid I will
    > > be using yet so I'm still window shopping. Any guidance would be
    > > appreciated. Thanks
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 18:27
    The MOSFETs have a very high gate resistance, so they draw nearly zero
    current from the Stamp pin. There is no need to regulate it, and no worry
    about frying the Stamp. That's why I really like them, especially the
    logic-level gate voltage units.

    They also don't have the built-in voltage drop that a Darlington has. This
    means you get more power to your load, and less heat in the transistor.

    If you did have some standard MOSFETs without the logic level gate voltage,
    you could also use an inexpensive general purpose transistor and a pull-up
    resistor between the Stamp and the MOSFET to control the higher gate
    voltage. That would be easier and cheaper than an op-amp.

    Randy
    www.glitchbuster.com

    > you can always use some op-amps to step op the gate voltage to the MOSFET
    in
    > order for it to turn on.
    > That way you can also control the current from the stamp since it can only
    > source 20mA (bs2). I think a 330 ohm resistor will limit the high signal
    to
    > 15 mA, then you can just step up the voltage. It also provides somewhat
    of
    > a buffer between the solenoid and the FET, which gives you a better chance
    > of not frying your stamp.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 18:47
    Yes, I know, in theory MOSFETs have an infinite gate resistance.... that is
    why they work, also meaning that 0 dc current goes into the FET, however,
    you can never be sure you won't get feed back from them, especially when the
    solenoids shut off and there will be enormous current spikes. The only way
    to truly isolate the stamp is using a photo FET optocoupler (ie H11F1,
    H11F2, H11F3 by fairchild semiconductor). I use them for almost every
    output pin in order to isolate....maybe I'm just being conservative and
    over-protective. Just my opinion, though I do agree with you that in
    general you shouldn't have to worry about the current draw when using
    MOSFETs (I don't want to start a flame, I just wanted to share my
    perspective).

    -- Kyle S.

    P.S. This list is great, I've learned a lot from everyone. Thanks to all
    who contribute!

    > The MOSFETs have a very high gate resistance, so they draw nearly zero
    > current from the Stamp pin. There is no need to regulate it, and no worry
    > about frying the Stamp. That's why I really like them, especially the
    > logic-level gate voltage units.
    >
    > They also don't have the built-in voltage drop that a Darlington has.
    This
    > means you get more power to your load, and less heat in the transistor.
    >
    > If you did have some standard MOSFETs without the logic level gate
    voltage,
    > you could also use an inexpensive general purpose transistor and a pull-up
    > resistor between the Stamp and the MOSFET to control the higher gate
    > voltage. That would be easier and cheaper than an op-amp.
    >
    > Randy
    > www.glitchbuster.com
    >
    > > you can always use some op-amps to step op the gate voltage to the
    MOSFET
    > in
    > > order for it to turn on.
    > > That way you can also control the current from the stamp since it can
    only
    > > source 20mA (bs2). I think a 330 ohm resistor will limit the high
    signal
    > to
    > > 15 mA, then you can just step up the voltage. It also provides
    somewhat
    > of
    > > a buffer between the solenoid and the FET, which gives you a better
    chance
    > > of not frying your stamp.
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 20:21
    In a message dated 12/18/2002 10:32:14 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    randyjones@w... writes:

    > The MOSFETs have a very high gate resistance, so they draw nearly zero
    > current from the Stamp pin. There is no need to regulate it, and no worry
    > about frying the Stamp. That's why I really like them, especially the
    > logic-level gate voltage units.
    >
    > They also don't have the built-in voltage drop that a Darlington has. This
    > means you get more power to your load, and less heat in the transistor.
    >
    > If you did have some standard MOSFETs without the logic level gate voltage,
    > you could also use an inexpensive general purpose transistor and a pull-up
    > resistor between the Stamp and the MOSFET to control the higher gate
    > voltage. That would be easier and cheaper than an op-amp.
    >
    > Randy
    > www.glitchbuster.com

    Thats right!!


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 20:22
    In a message dated 12/18/2002 10:51:27 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    KamaolaKid@g... writes:

    > Yes, I know, in theory MOSFETs have an infinite gate resistance.... that is
    > why they work, also meaning that 0 dc current goes into the FET, however,
    > you can never be sure you won't get feed back from them, especially when
    > the
    > solenoids shut off and there will be enormous current spikes. The only way
    > to truly isolate the stamp is using a photo FET optocoupler (ie H11F1,
    > H11F2, H11F3 by fairchild semiconductor). I use them for almost every
    > output pin in order to isolate....maybe I'm just being conservative and
    > over-protective. Just my opinion, though I do agree with you that in
    > general you shouldn't have to worry about the current draw when using
    > MOSFETs (I don't want to start a flame, I just wanted to share my
    > perspective).
    >
    > -- Kyle S.
    >
    > P.S. This list is great, I've learned a lot from everyone. Thanks to all
    > who contribute!

    Also true, but most MOSFETS have a "reverse spike" diode that will clamp the
    flyback voltage. Opto-isolating is a very safe way to go however if you are
    paraniod!


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-18 22:53
    THANKS EVERYONE!!! I will be printing all these replies for future
    reference and appreciate the tips. I had been told previously on a
    different board that I should use a "Logic Level" MOSFET but could
    never get an answer what that meant. Now at least I have a feel for
    what to look for. RANDY: I will most probably be contacting you to
    purchase a few of those MOSFET's, do you accept paypal? By the way,
    do you sell push or pull tubular solenoids? Also, yes, I am in
    Hawaii... sunny Blue skies, beautiful sunsets, cool beaches...but
    these darn Hula Girls always bumping into you ;-)
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, smartdim@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 12/18/2002 10:51:27 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    > KamaolaKid@g... writes:
    >
    > > Yes, I know, in theory MOSFETs have an infinite gate
    resistance.... that is
    > > why they work, also meaning that 0 dc current goes into the FET,
    however,
    > > you can never be sure you won't get feed back from them,
    especially when
    > > the
    > > solenoids shut off and there will be enormous current spikes.
    The only way
    > > to truly isolate the stamp is using a photo FET optocoupler (ie
    H11F1,
    > > H11F2, H11F3 by fairchild semiconductor). I use them for almost
    every
    > > output pin in order to isolate....maybe I'm just being
    conservative and
    > > over-protective. Just my opinion, though I do agree with you
    that in
    > > general you shouldn't have to worry about the current draw when
    using
    > > MOSFETs (I don't want to start a flame, I just wanted to share my
    > > perspective).
    > >
    > > -- Kyle S.
    > >
    > > P.S. This list is great, I've learned a lot from everyone.
    Thanks to all
    > > who contribute!
    >
    > Also true, but most MOSFETS have a "reverse spike" diode that will
    clamp the
    > flyback voltage. Opto-isolating is a very safe way to go however if
    you are
    > paraniod!
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-12-19 00:27
    > these darn Hula Girls always bumping into you ;-)

    Yes... and you seem sooo upset about that -- heh, heh!! PayPal is fine...
    feel free to email off-list and I'll send you the details.

    Kyle... I understand about the gate capacitance issue, and isolating under
    certain conditions with optos. I got the impression from your first message
    that you were talking about continuous current (maybe I read it too fast
    this morning). I think in many cases it comes down to how conservative your
    design needs to be, and the particular situation. For my typical projects I
    have generally found no isolation necessary, although a 50 to 100 ohm series
    resistor near the gate is often recommended to minimize the chance of
    oscillation. Now if you were designing critical medical equipment, that
    would probably be a different story -- bring out the belt and suspenders!

    Randy
    www.glitchbuster.com
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