By the correct MOSFET pin configuration we mean to identify which terminal is the source (S), drain (D), and gate (G).
This correct pin identification is very important when working with physical circuits. If by mistake you place a MOSFET in the wrong configuration, the circuit will not work.
In some cases, due to wrong placement, you may end up damaging your MOSFET. And they are not cheap. So we need to be careful.
There are several ways you can use to tell the pin configuration but the one which I will share is very easy. It uses a special device called the component tester.
All you are required to do is just put your MOSFET in the component tester, and press the test button. Get your correct pin configuration on the screen.
If the above introduction got your attention. I am sure you will enjoy the rest of this article as well.
Hi, I am Abbas. In the rest of this article, I will share the above method in detail and so much more.
I am not perfect, nor this article is going to be. This is just my limited knowledge try to help you somehow.
I hope you will enjoy it.
Correct Mosfet Pin Configuration
You know MOSFET is a type of FET. Or we can generally say, MOSFET is a type of transistor.
We need this type of transistor for one reason which is high speed switching. This high speed switching is of great importance when we work in power electronics.
Alright!
So, when you start working with MOSFET. As a beginner, it is really hard to tell the correct pin configuration.
You can tell the right pins using the datasheet. But it is time confusing and also subjected to human error.
You can also use a multimeter to do so but believe me it is not that easy. First, you have to learn how to use a multimeter correctly. Then you have to take some notes, and finally, you will be able to identify the correct pins of a MOSFET transistor.
So instead of focusing on the above method, I think I will share a method that I personally use, and maybe you will be hearing it for the first time.
Let’s talk about it in the following:
Using M328 Component Tester
This is very interesting, and I can say that a lot of you may not have heard of this before. And the reason is, that this method is done through a special device called the component tester.
Now there are many options for component testers on the market. But the tester we will be using is called the M328 component tester (Amazon link). And the reasons are, that it is less expensive, reliable, and easy to use.
Let’s see how we can identify MOSFET pin configuration through this device. Following are the easy steps.
- First, turn on the m328 tester
- Put your MOSFET transistor in the socket
- Don’t worry about anything, just put your MOSFET transistor in any direction or polarity you like.
- Press the test button
- See the exact results (correct pin configuration) on the screen – it can’t be any simpler than this.
- On the screen, you will see which terminal is the source, drain, and gate.
- Not just that, you will also get to know if it is N or P channel MOSFET as well.
The important thing about this method is, that you can try it with any type of MOSFET and its pin configuration.
Furthermore, this m328 component tester from Yaman Electronics can be used for many other electronic components as well for their terminal identification. Such SCR, LEDs, diodes, etc.
Other benefits of using this method:
- It tells you the type of transistor, i.e., whether it is NPN or PNP. Whether it is BJT or MOSFETs.
- It gives the forward voltage values and DC beta – which is so useful in circuit design and analysis.
- It also tells you if the MOSFET transistor you are testing is a good one or a bad one.
I really enjoy this one. I hope this method will be of good use to you as well.
Conclusion
A MOSFET transistor is an active electronic component that we use for high speed switching purposes.
Working with this type of transistor requires some technical knowledge, like how to identify the legs of transistors. This is the first skill you need to master.
Because if you don’t care about leg or pin configuration – you may end up in a bad circuit or worst you can damage an expensive MOSFET transistor.
We don’t want to damage our transistor in any case. So, to properly configure the pin configuration of any MOSFET transistor. We can follow the three easy methods.
Method one is all about using the datasheet of that MOSFET transistor and matching it to the physical structure given in the datasheet. This way, we are able to correctly find the exact pin configuration of the transistor.
The second method requires a digital multimeter. We perform this method using the diode test option on the multimeter and try to identify the correct pins of transistors.
The last method is very interesting. It requires a component tester. A component tester is a device we use to identify, verify, and test various electronic components.
With the component tester, you just put the MOSFET transistor in it and press the test button. Within a few seconds, you get the right pin configuration of your MOSFET transistor.
That’s set. This is all I have to share about how to identify MOSFET transistor legs, i.e., the right MOSFET pin configuration.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Thank you so much and have a grateful life.
Other useful posts:
- #9 Best Transistor Testers [All Component Testers]
- Learning the transistor basics [Quick easy step by step guide]
- #07 Best Electronics Courses (Online with Certificate)
- 3 Easy methods to identify NPN and PNP transistors
- How To Test Transistor Without Multimeter (Solution)
