BeginnerTopic 13 of 104Electronics & Embedded

MOSFET

A voltage-controlled field-effect transistor with high input impedance.

In depth

A MOSFET controls drain current via gate voltage with an insulated gate, so it draws almost no DC gate current. N-channel and P-channel, enhancement and depletion types. Threshold V_th about 1–4 V for power devices. Dominates modern ICs and power switching.

Key points

  • High input impedance
  • Gate charge determines switching
  • Body diode
Example

A 30 V, 5 mΩ MOSFET can switch tens of amperes in a motor driver.

Why it matters

MOSFETs have very high input impedance and are the dominant transistor in modern chips and power electronics.

Where this is used

  • Driving a high-current motor from a microcontroller pin.
  • Building a CMOS logic gate in a processor.
  • Switching power in a DC-DC converter with low loss.

Frequently asked questions

What is MOSFET?

A voltage-controlled field-effect transistor with high input impedance.

Why is it important to understand MOSFET?

MOSFETs have very high input impedance and are the dominant transistor in modern chips and power electronics.

What is the difference between a MOSFET and a BJT?

A MOSFET is voltage controlled and draws almost no gate current, while a BJT is current controlled and needs a steady base current.

Why are MOSFETs used for power switching?

Low on-resistance gives small conduction losses, and the gate needs little drive power, which makes them efficient at high frequencies.

How is MOSFET used in practice?

Typical applications include driving a high-current motor from a microcontroller pin, building a CMOS logic gate in a processor and switching power in a DC-DC converter with low loss.

What should I learn before MOSFET?

Study "Common-emitter amplifier" first (topic 12 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of MOSFET?

High input impedance. Gate charge determines switching. Body diode.

Can you give an example of MOSFET?

A 30 V, 5 mΩ MOSFET can switch tens of amperes in a motor driver.

What comes after MOSFET?

The next topic is "MOSFET regions of operation", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is MOSFET?

It is classed as Beginner in Electronics & Embedded (topic 13 of 104). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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