|Pin configuration||G = Gate, D = Drain, S = Source. The symbol doesn't always show the internal diode formed by the substrate connection source to drain|
The 2N7000 and BS170 are N-channel, enhancement-mode MOSFETs used for low-power switching applications. The two are nearly identical except that the leads are arranged differently and the current ratings are somewhat different; they are sometimes listed together on the same datasheet, along with other variants 2N7002, VQ1000J, and VQ1000P.
The 2N7000 is a widely available and popular part, often recommended as useful and common components to have around for hobbyist use, along with such other popular discrete semiconductors as the 1N4148 and 1N4001 diodes; the 2N2222, 2N3904, and 2N3906 bipolar junction transistors; and the IRF510 power MOSFET. The BS250P is "a good p-channel analog of the 2N7000."
The 2N7002 is a slightly higher resistance, lower current variant, in a TO-236 package, also known as "small outline transistor" SOT-23 surface-mount package, which is the most commonly used three-lead surface-mount package.
A typical use of these transistors is as a switch for moderate voltages and currents, including as drivers for small lamps, motors, and relays. In switching circuits, these FETs can be used much like bipolar junction transistors, but have some advantages:
- low threshold voltage means no gate bias required
- high input impedance of the insulated gate means almost no gate current is required
- consequently no current-limiting resistor is required in the gate input
The main disadvantages of these FETs over bipolar transistors in switching are the following:
- susceptibility to cumulative damage from static discharge prior to installation
- circuits with external gate exposure require a protection gate resistor or other static discharge protection
- Non-zero ohmic response when driven to saturation, as compared to a constant junction voltage drop in a bipolar junction transistor
- "2N7000/2N7002, VQ1000J/P, BS170" (PDF). Vishay Siliconix datasheet. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
- H. Ward Silver (2005). Two-way radios & scanners for dummies. p. 237. ISBN 0-7645-9582-2.
- Lucio Di Jasio; Tim Wilmshurst; Dogan Ibrahim (2007). PIC microcontrollers. Newnes. p. 520. ISBN 0-7506-8615-4.
- Ray P. Prasad (1997). Surface mount technology: principles and practice (2nd ed.). Springer. p. 112. ISBN 0-412-12921-3.
- Lancaster, Don (February 1986). "Hardware hacker". Modern Electronics. Richard Ross. 3 (2): 115. ISSN 0748-9889.
- Application Notes for Experimenters
- Electric Field Sensor demonstrates extremely high gate impedance with a simple LED circuit
- Driving a single MOSFET Detailed description of usage of a similar MOSFET
- 2N7002, 300mA, SOT-23 case, NXP Semiconductors
- NX7002AK, 300mA, SOT-23 case, NXP Semiconductors
- 2N7000, 200mA, TO-92 case, On Semiconductor
- BS170, 500mA, TO-92 case, On Semiconductor