IRF520 N-Channel MOSFET Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The IRF520 is an N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) rated for 100V drain-to-source voltage with 9.2A continuous drain current at 25°C. The device is packaged in a Through Hole TO-220AB configuration and is rated for 60W maximum power dissipation. The original IRF520 from Vishay Siliconix is classified as obsolete product status. Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary to maintain design continuity, ensure supply chain availability, and meet current regulatory compliance requirements including RoHS3 and REACH standards.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
FET Type	N-Channel	—
Technology	MOSFET (Metal Oxide)	—
Drain to Source Voltage (Vdss)	100	V
Current - Continuous Drain (Id) @ 25°C	9.2	A (Tc)
Drive Voltage (Max Rds On)	10	V
Rds On (Max) @ Id, Vgs	270	mOhm @ 5.5A, 10V
Vgs(th) (Max) @ Id	4	V @ 250µA
Gate Charge (Qg) (Max) @ Vgs	16	nC @ 10V
Vgs (Max)	±20	V
Input Capacitance (Ciss) (Max) @ Vds	360	pF @ 25V
Power Dissipation (Max)	60	W (Tc)
Operating Temperature	-55 to 175	°C (TJ)
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-220-3	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the IRF520 are classified into two categories based on electrical and mechanical compatibility:

Direct Electrical Equivalents maintain identical or near-identical electrical specifications including Vdss (100V), Id (9.2A nominal), Rds On characteristics, gate charge, and input capacitance. These parts are pin-compatible and functionally interchangeable in the same circuit topology without design modification. Direct equivalents include IRF520PBF and IRF520PBF-BE3, both from Vishay Siliconix.

Parametric Equivalents share the same voltage rating (100V Vdss) and similar current handling capability but may exhibit variations in secondary parameters such as Rds On, gate charge, or power dissipation. These parts are suitable for applications where the primary electrical requirements (voltage and current ratings) are met, though circuit performance characteristics may differ slightly. Parametric equivalents include IRF520NPBF from Infineon Technologies and PHP18NQ10T,127 from Nexperia USA Inc.

Non-Equivalent Parts do not meet the core electrical specifications of the IRF520 and are listed for reference only. RCX120N25 from Rohm Semiconductor operates at 250V Vdss, exceeding the IRF520 specification and is not suitable for direct substitution.

Substitution eligibility is determined by the following key parameters:

Drain to Source Voltage (Vdss): Must equal or exceed 100V
Continuous Drain Current (Id): Must equal or exceed 9.2A at 25°C
Gate Drive Voltage: Must support 10V operation
Package Type: Must be Through Hole TO-220-3 configuration
Operating Temperature Range: Must encompass -55°C to 175°C

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IRF520	IRF520PBF	IRF520PBF-BE3	IRF520NPBF	PHP18NQ10T,127	RCX120N25
Manufacturer	Vishay Siliconix	Vishay Siliconix	Vishay Siliconix	Infineon Technologies	Nexperia USA Inc.	Rohm Semiconductor
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Obsolete	Active
Vdss (V)	100	100	100	100	100	250
Id @ 25°C (A)	9.2	9.2	9.2	9.7	18	12
Rds On (Max) @ 10V (mOhm)	270 @ 5.5A	270 @ 5.5A	270 @ 5.5A	200 @ 5.7A	90 @ 9A	—
Vgs(th) (Max) @ 250µA (V)	4	4	4	4	4 @ 1mA	—
Gate Charge (Qg) @ 10V (nC)	16	16	16	25	21	—
Ciss (Max) @ 25V (pF)	360	360	360	330	633	—
Power Dissipation (Max) (W)	60	60	60	48	79	40
Operating Temperature (°C)	-55 to 175	-55 to 175	-55 to 175	-55 to 175	-55 to 175	—
Package	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	TO-220-3	TO-220-3 Full Pack
RoHS Status	Non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected	REACH Affected	Vendor Undefined	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: IRF520PBF

IRF520PBF from Vishay Siliconix is the direct electrical equivalent of the obsolete IRF520. This part maintains identical electrical specifications across all critical parameters including Vdss (100V), Id (9.2A), Rds On (270mOhm @ 5.5A, 10V), gate charge (16nC), and input capacitance (360pF). The IRF520PBF is classified as Active product status with ROHS3 compliance and REACH Affected designation. This part is suitable for direct pin-for-pin replacement without circuit modification. Packaging is Tube format with 25,300 units in stock.

Secondary Recommendation: IRF520PBF-BE3

IRF520PBF-BE3 from Vishay Siliconix is an alternative direct equivalent with identical electrical specifications to IRF520PBF. This variant is Active product status with ROHS3 compliance. REACH status is Vendor Undefined. Packaging is Tube format with 5,723 units in stock. Selection between IRF520PBF and IRF520PBF-BE3 is determined by supply chain availability and REACH compliance requirements.

Tertiary Recommendation: IRF520NPBF

IRF520NPBF from Infineon Technologies is a parametric equivalent classified as manufacturer recommended. This part shares the 100V Vdss rating and meets the 9.2A current requirement with 9.7A continuous drain current. Electrical differences include lower Rds On (200mOhm @ 5.7A, 10V), higher gate charge (25nC), and lower input capacitance (330pF). Power dissipation is rated at 48W compared to 60W for the IRF520. IRF520NPBF is Active product status with ROHS3 compliance and REACH Unaffected designation. This part is suitable for applications where improved on-resistance characteristics are beneficial. Packaging is Tube format with 15,465 units in stock.

Not Recommended: PHP18NQ10T,127

PHP18NQ10T,127 from Nexperia USA Inc. is classified as Obsolete product status. Although this part meets the 100V Vdss and exceeds the 9.2A current requirement with 18A continuous drain current, the obsolete status makes it unsuitable for new designs or long-term supply chain planning. This part is listed for reference only.

Not Recommended: RCX120N25

RCX120N25 from Rohm Semiconductor operates at 250V Vdss, which exceeds the IRF520 specification. This part is not electrically equivalent and is not suitable for direct substitution. This part is listed for reference only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can IRF520PBF be used as a direct replacement for the obsolete IRF520?

A: Yes. IRF520PBF is a direct electrical equivalent with identical specifications for Vdss (100V), Id (9.2A), Rds On (270mOhm), gate charge (16nC), and input capacitance (360pF). The part is pin-compatible in TO-220-3 package and requires no circuit modification. IRF520PBF is Active product status with current availability.

Q: What is the difference between IRF520PBF and IRF520NPBF?

A: Both parts meet the core electrical requirements of 100V Vdss and 9.2A minimum current. IRF520NPBF offers improved on-resistance (200mOhm vs. 270mOhm) but exhibits higher gate charge (25nC vs. 16nC) and lower input capacitance (330pF vs. 360pF). IRF520PBF maintains exact parameter matching to the original IRF520. Selection depends on whether improved on-resistance or exact parameter matching is prioritized for the application.

Q: Are IRF520PBF and IRF520PBF-BE3 interchangeable?

A: Yes. Both parts are direct electrical equivalents with identical specifications. The designation suffix "-BE3" indicates a specific packaging or distribution variant. Selection between these parts is determined by supply chain availability and REACH compliance requirements specific to the end application.

Q: Why is RCX120N25 listed if it cannot substitute the IRF520?

A: RCX120N25 is listed for reference because it appears in the provided substitute list. However, the 250V Vdss rating exceeds the IRF520 specification and makes this part unsuitable for direct substitution. This part is not recommended for IRF520 replacement applications.

Q: What is the significance of RoHS3 compliance for substitute parts?

A: RoHS3 compliance indicates that the part meets current Restriction of Hazardous Substances regulations. The original IRF520 is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitute parts (IRF520PBF, IRF520PBF-BE3, and IRF520NPBF) are ROHS3 compliant, making them suitable for applications subject to RoHS requirements.

Q: Does the TO-220-3 package remain the same across all substitute parts?

A: Yes. All recommended substitute parts maintain the Through Hole TO-220-3 package configuration, ensuring mechanical and thermal compatibility with existing PCB designs. RCX120N25 uses TO-220-3 Full Pack variant, which is mechanically compatible but electrically non-equivalent.

Q: What is the impact of higher gate charge in IRF520NPBF?

A: Higher gate charge (25nC vs. 16nC) requires more charge to be supplied to the gate during switching transitions. This results in slower switching speed and increased gate drive circuit power consumption. For applications with fast switching requirements or limited gate drive capability, IRF520PBF with lower gate charge (16nC) is preferred.

Q: Can PHP18NQ10T,127 be used despite its Obsolete status?

A: PHP18NQ10T,127 is classified as Obsolete product status. Although the part meets electrical requirements with 18A continuous drain current and 100V Vdss, the obsolete designation indicates discontinued manufacturing and limited future availability. This part is not recommended for new designs or applications requiring long-term supply chain continuity.

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