Introduction

MOSFETs are the modern go-to technology for controlling large loads from a microcontroller or low power switch. As technology has advanced, and processor voltages have moved to 3.3v and below, MOSFETs have become available which will turn on with ever lower gate voltages. Unfortunately for hobbyists and designers prototyping new products, these modern low-voltage MOSFETs have often remained difficult to use because they are available only in surface mount packages, many of which can only be reasonably soldered with a reflow oven. While MOSFETs compatible with a 4.5v gate voltage (for 5v logic) were usually made in through-hole packages, ones compatible with lower voltages are manufactured almost exclusively in SMD packages (The last power MOSFET compatible with 3.3v logic was discontinued in 2020. One might expect that the many electronics vendors who offer 4-channel MOSFET boards marketed for the Arduino crowd on Amazon and eBay would offer breakout boards featuring these modern MOSFETs... or at least ones that were, you know, compatible with the 5v logic of the Arduino boards they mention in the titles of their listings... Instead, they almost exclusively sell boards based on older non-logic level MOSFETs such as the IRF540! While those do work for non-demanding use cases with 5v on the gate, the performance is abysmal compared to what modern parts are capable of! Something had to be done...

We have been selling versions of these 4-channel MOSFET boards since back in 2016; these are the latest version. Now made on 2 Oz copper for improved heat dissipation and conductivity, with ENIG gold surface treatment, and quick reference chart on the rear silkscreen. Available with four different MOSFET options for all your load switching needs! Well, unless you need a gate driver - if you do, you want our 4-channel MONSTER MOSFET board with optional driver.

New MOSFET usage guide

We are also now happy to offer a guide to power MOSFETs - with almost everything you need to know. From what a MOSFET is and what they are for, to how to determine what frequency you can PWM them at without using a gate driver! MOSFET Guide

Four MOSFET options

Depending whether you need to switch with a low Vgs, or switch a high voltage, we offer assembled boards with four different MOSFETs

MCU90N02 - 20V, 20A continuous @ 4.5Vgs, 10A @ 1.8Vgs

• An incredibly beefy new MOSFET from the little known manufacturer MicroCommercialComponents
• Unheardof performance in this package - an instant champion of low voltage, high-current MOSFETs! On the other hand, the gate ch
• Rds(on) - these are maximum, not typical values
• Under 7.5mOhm @ 1.8Vgs - 10A continuous w/out cooling
• Under 5mOhm @ 2.5Vgs - 15A continuous w/out cooling
• Under 4.5mOhm @ 4.5Vgs - 20A continuous w/out cooling

IRFR3708 - 30V, 12A continuous @ 4.5Vgs,

• Discontinued Q4 2020 - was the only 30V DPAK FET rated for under 3.3V on gate! Luckily, I stocked up
• Rated for switching up to 30V (Maximum Vds)
• Rds(on) - these are maximum, not typical values
• Under 29mOhm @ 2.8Vgs - 7.5A continuous w/out cooling
• Under 14mOhm @ 4.5Vgs - 12A continuous w/out cooling
• Under 12mOhm @ 10Vgs - 15A continuous w/out cooling

DMTH8012 - 80V, 10A continuous w/out added cooling, Vgs(on) 4.5V

• Rated for switching up to 80V
• Excellent Rds(on) for such a high Vds
• Rds(on) - these are maximum, not typical values
• Under 21mOhm @ 4.5Vgs
• Under 16mOhm @ 10Vgs

AOD476 - 20V, Vgs as low as 2.5v

Currently, we are waiting for stock of the old version to sell out - 4-channel 20Vds @ 2.5Vgs Low gate charge permits high frequency PWM without a gate driver! Rds(on) - these are maximum, not typical values * Under 79mOhm @ 2.5Vgs * Under 28mOhm @ 4.5Vgs * Under 21mOhm @ 10Vgs

Optional screw terminals

If you want the convenience of pre-mounted screw terminals (the good kind - the green ones; the more common blue ones do not grip the wire as well), these are available as an option. Note that they are rated for a maximum of 20A - the main concern would be the Gnd connection, which is shared among the four channels. If you are pushing the current limits, you should consider directly soldering wires on.

Optional heatsinks

Appropriately sized power MOSFETs usually don't need heatsinks, but used with a heavy load, particularly while being driven with PWM (due to switching losses - see our MOSFET guide above. We are now shipping only heatsinks with thermal adhesive (peel and stick style. The thermal epoxy has been too difficult to keep from hardening during storage, and prices have risen sharply in the past half dozen years.

These are sold as an ASSEMBLED BOARD - with or without screw terminals. Boards are assembled here in the USA!