SOT-23 NMOS transistor power dissipation question

wave.jaco · Oct 9, 2015

Dear forum members

I am working on a design of a control system that controls a few small solenoids, each drawing about 200 mA of current and operating at 15-18 V. These solenoids are activated by NMOS transistors. Due to the size constraint that I have for the PCB containing these transistors, I would ideally like to use SOT-23 NMOS transistors.

Now, if one does the math, the power dissipated by each transistor activating a solenoid is P = (0.2 A)(18 V) = 3.6 W. However, it seems that most of the SOT-23 package NMOS transistors can only dissipate a maximum of about 1 W.

My question now is this - is the maximum power dissipation rating primarily due to the heat build-up that could damage the device if it exceeds its rated power dissipation? Or is it the limit of the internal materials that the transistor is made of?

Each solenoid in this system is typically never activated for longer than 20 seconds, and at the very extreme it might be activated for 1 minute, which happens almost never. The average on-time for these solenoids are between 1 second and 10 seconds. Will this relatively short on-time (dissipating 3.6 W of power) have a detrimental effect on a transistor that can only dissipate a maximum of 1 W? Or can one safely assume that the average on-time of the solenoid is short enough that the transistor will not heat up too much to cause any damage?

I have used the 2N7002 NMOS transistor (which has a very low max. power dissipation rating) in a prototype for this system with no problems at all and no evident heat build-up by the transistors. Should I rather get a properly rated transistor (3.6 W or higher rated), or can I safely use a 1 W rated transistor for this system?

Your comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: I realize now my calculation is totally wrong. The above method calculates the power dissipated by the solenoid, not the transistor. Moderators, please feel free to remove this question. Thank you.

Harald Kapp · Oct 9, 2015

wave.jaco said:

Now, if one does the math, the power dissipated by each transistor activating a solenoid is P = (0.2 A)(18 V) = 3.6 W.
Click to expand...

If one does the circuit correctly, the MOSFET is either on or off. The 2N7002 has a max. Rds_on of 13.5Ω Power dissipated in the MOSFET is P0V*I=I²*Rds.
In the off state, I=0 A -> P=0 W
In the on state I = 0.2A -> P = 0.54 W (max. value, typical value willl be less).
0.54 W is less than the 1 W you mention, therefore the use of this FET in this application seems to be safe.

However, the thermal resistance of this FET is Rthja=625 °C/W. At 0.54W this amounts to a junction temperature of tj=625 °C/W*0.54W+tamb ~ 360 °C at 25 ° C ambient temperature. This will burn your transistor.

As the typical value for Rds_on =2.4Ω, the typical power dissipation is only 0.1W and tj=88 °C which is no problem at all.

Your design therefore will typically work, but you shouldn't be surprised if it fails with a batch of transistors that have worst case parameters (while still being within spec).

dorke · Oct 10, 2015

You didn't say how many solenoids you need to drive.
Take a look at the 7 drivers in a pack the TPL7407L it may save you a lot of space.

BobK · Oct 10, 2015

You can get MOSFETs in SOT-23 that have much lower on resistance than the 2N7002. Less than 100mΩ is easy to find. At 200 mA, this equates to 4 milliwatts.

Here is an example:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMshyDBzk1/WixV8WKf1AQUVejfQ5FLA4f8=

Bob

wave.jaco · Oct 13, 2015

Thank you for all the answers. My question is answered. Much appreciated.

SOT-23 NMOS transistor power dissipation question

wave.jaco

Harald Kapp Moderator Moderator

dorke

BobK

wave.jaco

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