I got into this whole IRF520 MOSFET business last week after a buddy of mine mentioned it for a simple project—we were trying to build a basic switch for an LED strip to save power. I figured, why not give it a shot and see what it’s all about? So, I grabbed my tools and started from scratch.
Starting out with the basics
First off, I ordered an IRF520 online; it was cheap and arrived in a tiny bag. I opened it up, looked at the little black chip thing, and thought, “Huh, what even is this MOSFET?” Turned out, it’s basically a type of switch for electronics, like turning lights on or off with low power but handling big loads—kind of like a heavy-duty relay but tiny.
Then, I pulled out my breadboard and hooked it up. I wired the IRF520 to a power source, an LED, and a simple button to control it. I fumbled around because I forgot to add a resistor at first, so nothing happened when I pressed the button—total facepalm moment. I realized that this MOSFET needs a small “signal” voltage to turn it on, and without that, it just sits there doing zilch. I added a 10k resistor to the gate (that’s the input part, but I’ll keep it simple), and boom, the LED lit up instantly when I pressed the button. Pretty cool, right?
Getting into the nitty-gritty details
After that win, I got curious and dug deeper. I grabbed my multimeter to test how much power it could handle. I connected a 12V battery and a motor, and the IRF520 switched it on and off smoothly—it handled up to 24 volts and a few amps without breaking a sweat. But then I tried to push it harder with a bigger load, and it got hot fast. I learned that this thing isn’t meant for super high-power stuff; it’s best for small projects like LED setups or basic motor controls.
Here’s a quick rundown of the key stuff I found out while playing with it:
- It’s cheap and easy to find online, like under a buck for one.
- It works well as a switch for low to medium power tasks—think batteries or small electronics, not your car or anything heavy.
- You need that resistor or a driver to control it properly, or it won’t turn on at all.
- It gets warm if you overload it, so I always added a heat sink when I used bigger loads.
- Overall, it’s a solid little device for hobbyists like me, just simple and straightforward.
Wrapping it all up
After a few more tests, I built a simple circuit for my home desk lamp—saved me a bunch on energy, and now it turns on and off with a button press. Pretty neat for a lazy DIY project. But honestly, it reminded me of when I messed up my first ever electronics kit years ago. Back then, I fried a similar switch because I didn’t read anything about it, just went in blind. Ended up wasting time and cash, and my partner teased me for days about being a “quick fix bandit.” Since then, I’ve learned to take things slow, do a bit of reading, and share my blunders. Now, with the IRF520 under my belt, I feel like I’ve got a go-to tool for my tinkering sessions.
