IRFZ44N vs P30N06LE - Switching ON 12V/3A for 1.2 seconds via Arduino pin.

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi. I have a bunch of IRFZ44Ns on hand, and used one for the smoke mechanism on my LED candle project.

After it was working, I read a bunch of forum threads on here that the IRFZ44N is not appropriate for logic level switching (if I understand right) and that the P30N06LE should be used instead. So, in the Instructable, I made note of this and recommended the P30N06LE (trusting you guys!). But, now I'd like to actually understand what differences the two will make on my project.

I ordered some P30N06LEs and am wondering:

  • Why does the IRFZ44N work? The internet seems to think it won't. Is that because I'm not actually switching much current?
  • Will the P30N06LE perform better in some way? (allow more current through? Provide it quicker?)

Here's the Instructable.. There are Fritzing diagrams in there as well as a video so you can see what I'm trying to accomplish.

Any advice would be appreciated. If you see any fixes or improvements I should make in the code or the diagrams, let me know.

2

I will let the electrical engineers correct me (I am not one) but I think the IRF wants more like 4-8v to come on fully, while the P30 will take more like 2-4v. As a result, the P30 will move more current at logic switching levels than the IRF. So, yes, I think your assertion that the IRF works because you aren't asking it to do too much is probably right. I think the RDSon of the P30 is lower than the IRF allowing it to handle a higher load (watts) before getting hot enough to melt.

Again, not a doctor and don't even play one on TV, but I think the P30 will switch on better and move current better at lower signal levels than the IRF will.