IRF540N Pinout
IRF540N N-Channel Power MOSFET · N-channel power MOSFET (~33A, 100V); common for motor / heater / high-current switching.
TO-220 printed face toward you, pins down: left to right is G-D-S (Gate, Drain, Source). The metal tab is connected to the Drain. The IRF540N is a standard-level MOSFET — it needs ~10V of gate drive to fully turn on, so it is not ideal for direct 3.3/5V logic.
| Pin | Name | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G · Gate | Input | Gate (control) |
| 2 | D · Drain | Output | Drain (also the metal tab) |
| 3 | S · Source | I/O | Source |
How to read the IRF540N pinout
- 01
Find pin 1
One end of the chip has a half-circle notch or a dot; with the notch facing up, the top-left pin is pin 1.
- 02
Count counter-clockwise
Count counter-clockwise from pin 1: go down the left side first, then up the right side from the bottom.
- 03
Check the table below
Look up each pin's function by number in the table below; power/ground are color-coded, and alternate-function signals are in parentheses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IRF540N pin order?
In the TO-220 package, printed face toward you and pins down, left to right is G-D-S (Gate, Drain, Source). The metal tab is electrically the Drain, so insulate it if it touches a grounded heatsink.
Can I drive the IRF540N straight from a 5V Arduino pin?
Not fully. The IRF540N is a standard-level MOSFET specified at VGS = 10V; at 5V it only partially turns on and will overheat under load. Use a gate driver, or pick a logic-level part like the IRLZ44N for direct 5V drive.
Pinout data comes from Infineon IRF540N datasheet (standard TO-220 numbering). Refer to the actual device datasheet as authoritative for the pinout.