Practical engineering, original measurements and technical references. Articles
Learn how to control a 12 V LED strip with ESP32, TC4420, and IRF3205 while understanding PWM, gate drive, power losses, protection, power-supply sizing, and the optional role of the SN74HC14.
This article provides a practical and in-depth introduction to the IRF3205 power MOSFET, explaining how it works, how to drive its gate correctly, and how to interpret its datasheet beyond the headline voltage and current ratings. It covers key concepts such as VGS(th), RDS(on), gate charge, Miller effect, switching losses, safe operating area, thermal behavior, body diode, avalanche energy, PWM operation, and inductive-load protection. Through calculations, diagrams, and practical examples, the article shows how to evaluate a MOSFET as part of a complete electrical, thermal, and dynamic system rather than as an isolated component.