IRF540 MOSFET N-CHANNEL 33A 100V

The IRF540 is a widely used N-channel power MOSFET designed for high-current switching and amplification in industrial, automotive, and DIY electronics applications. Built into the rugged TO-220AB through-hole package , it provides excellent thermal performance and is easy to mount on standard heatsinks for sustained high-power operation. With a maximum drain-source voltage of 100V , continuous drain current of 33A , and a pulsed current capability of up to 110A , the IRF540 is well suited for driving heavy loads such as DC motors, solenoids, high-power LEDs, lamps, heaters, and inverters . Its low on-resistance (RDS(on)) of just 44 m? keeps power losses minimal, allowing the transistor to switch high currents efficiently with reduced heat generation. The IRF540 supports a wide operating junction temperature range from ?55°C to +175°C , making it reliable in demanding environments. Its 130W power dissipation rating and low thermal resistance (junction-to-case) of 1.1°C/W allow it to handle continuous high-power switching when properly heatsinked. Note on gate drive: The IRF540 is not a logic-level MOSFET — it typically requires a gate-source voltage of around 10V for full enhancement. To switch the IRF540 reliably from a 5V Arduino or 3.3V microcontroller, use a dedicated MOSFET gate driver IC or a small NPN/PNP driver stage . For direct logic-level driving, consider the IRF540N's logic-level cousins like the IRL540 or IRLZ44N. Specifications Transistor Type: N-Channel Power MOSFET Drain-Source Voltage (V_DS) Max: 100V Continuous Drain Current (I_D) Max: 33A Pulsed Drain Current (I_DM): 110A On-Resistance (R_DS(on)): 44 m? Power Dissipation (P_D): 130W Thermal Resistance (Junction-to-Case): 1.1°C/W Operating Junction Temperature: ?55°C to +175°C Package / Case: TO-220AB Mounting Type: Through-hole Pin Count: 3 (Gate, Drain, Source) Pin Spacing: 2.54 mm Pin Configuration (TO-220AB) Pin 1: Gate (G) Pin 2: Drain (D) Pin 3: Source (S) Applications DC motor control and H-bridge driver circuits PWM speed control for motors, fans, and pumps High-current LED and lamp drivers Switching power supplies and DC/DC converters Inverter and converter circuits Battery management and charge controllers Solenoid and relay drivers Audio amplifier output stages (Class-D) Solar charge controllers Automotive electronics and switching applications Industrial control and automation systems Robotics and high-current actuator control Welding equipment and power tools Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32 high-current load control (with proper gate driver)