Hello everyone.
I've got my first ESP8266 module, an ESP-01, and i found a procedure to flash the firmware by wiring it to the Arduino UNO. In the schematics there is an "78xxL" voltage regulator, to provide 3.3V to the ESP instead of the 5V.
In my pieces i've got an IRF520; are they the same thing or i have to buy the same regulator to do this work?
Thank you in advance 
That's like calling french fries pizza... The only similarity is that they are both a semiconductor and have 3 pins.
Aka, no. There are plenty of 3,3V regulators out there but a MOSFET != voltage regulator.
septillion:
That's like calling french fries pizza... The only similarity is that they are both a semiconductor and have 3 pins.Aka, no. There are plenty of 3,3V regulators out there but a MOSFET != voltage regulator.
okok, thank you! ahahah
I'm not sure you can use the IRF520 for anything really(!), its an ancient device with ancient performance, and is
not logic level.
There are quite literally millions of different semiconductor devices that have been manufactured over
the years, you read the datasheet for a device to find out what it is. Google "IRF520 datasheet" etc.
To provide 3.3V from 5V use a low-dropout regulator like the AP1117-33, I don't believe there is a 78xx series
3.3V regulator anyway, and if there was it would require at least 5.3V on the input.
Noshirt:
Hello everyone.
I've got my first ESP8266 module, an ESP-01, and i found a procedure to flash the firmware by wiring it to the Arduino UNO. In the schematics there is an "78xxL" voltage regulator, to provide 3.3V to the ESP instead of the 5V.
In my pieces i've got an IRF520; are they the same thing or i have to buy the same regulator to do this work?
Thank you in advance
An IRF520 is a mosfet (a transistor). A transistor is not a voltage regulator. On the other hand, some voltage regulators can involve a transistor in their circuitry.