N-channel MOSFET (2N7000 / IRLZ44N) · Exterior view

Metal tab (heat sink) · Ø 3.7 mm holeEpoxy bodyPins G-D-S · 2.54 mm spacing

2N7000 in a TO-92 body and IRLZ44N in a black TO-220 body with a metal tab, side by side
2N7000: TO-92 · IRLZ44N: TO-220, body ≈ 10 × 15 mm · Example shown: IRLZ44N-class N-channel MOSFET, TO-220

Transistors

N-channel MOSFET (2N7000 / IRLZ44N)

In simple terms

What is this?

A valve that opens when you apply voltage to its gate; it draws almost no current through the gate, it only charges up.

What is it for?

Uses a small signal from the microcontroller to drive a motor, a fan or an LED strip with real power.

Where do you see it?

Inside a computer, in fan and LED strip controls.

How do you spot it?

A small black half-round body or a large body with a metal tab; three legs.

Caution:

It is sensitive to static electricity; do not leave the gate floating, and check the leg order against your model.

Technical definition

A transistor controlled by the voltage applied between gate and source; the gate draws no current, only its capacitance charges. The 2N7000 is for small signals; the IRLZ44N is a high-current logic-level MOSFET that can be driven directly by 5 V logic.

2N700060 V · 200 mA

IRLZ44N55 V · 47 A

RDS(on)25 mΩ (5 V)

Schematic symbol Same in IEC and ANSI

IEC 60617: the drawing style used in Türkiye and Europe.

Pins 6

12N7000 · Source (S)With the flat face towards you, legs down, from the left 1.; to groundS

22N7000 · Gate (G)Middle leg; to the pin through a resistorG

32N7000 · Drain (D)Right leg; goes to the loadD

1IRLZ44N · Gate (G)With the marked face toward you, legs at the bottom, 1 from the left.G

2IRLZ44N · Drain (D)Middle leg; the metal tab is also connected to the drainD

3IRLZ44N · Source (S)Right leg; to groundS

Features typical

2N7000 VDS · ID: 60 V · 200 mA
2N7000 VGS(th): 0.8–3 V
2N7000 RDS(on): ≤ 5 Ω (VGS 10 V)
IRLZ44N VDS · ID: 55 V · 47 A
IRLZ44N RDS(on): 22 mΩ (10 V) · 25 mΩ (5 V)
IRLZ44N VGS(th): 1–2 V
Max. VGS: ±20 V (2N7000) · ±16 V (IRLZ44N)
Example part: 2N7000 (TO-92) · IRLZ44N (TO-220)

Common mistakes

Leaving the gate floatingA floating gate charges randomly and can turn the MOSFET on. Fit a 10–100 kΩ pull-down between gate and source.

Choosing a non-logic-level MOSFETStandard MOSFETs like the IRFZ44N need 10 V to turn fully on; at 5 V they stay half on and heat up. For 5 V drive, choose a logic-level type such as the IRLZ44N.

Forgetting the flyback diodeFor a coil load like a motor or relay, put a reverse-parallel diode across the load; otherwise the turn-off spike can damage the MOSFET.

Test with a multimeter

Test whether this part is good with the multimeter on the measurement screen.

Take a measurement

On real boards

USB-C Li-ion charger board
FS8205A dual MOSFET

Where it is used

Driving motors and fansLED strip PWM controlLogic level shifting (2N7000)Driving solenoids and relays

Try it in the Lab