IRFP460 N-Channel 500V 20A MOSFET Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The IRFP460 is an N-Channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) rated for 500V drain-to-source voltage and 20A continuous drain current in a through-hole TO-247AD package. Manufactured by IXYS under the MegaMOS™ series, this device is classified as obsolete. Due to its obsolete status, equivalent and substitute parts from active manufacturers are necessary to maintain design continuity and ensure long-term component availability for new production and field replacements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
FET Type	N-Channel	—
Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vdss)	500	V
Continuous Drain Current (Id) @ 25°C	20	A
On-State Resistance (Rds On) @ 12A, 10V	270	mOhm
Gate Threshold Voltage (Vgs(th)) @ 250µA	4	V
Gate Charge (Qg) @ 10V	210	nC
Power Dissipation (Max)	260	W
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C
Package Type	TO-247-3	—
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the IRFP460 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vdss): 500V minimum
Continuous Drain Current (Id): 20A minimum at 25°C
On-State Resistance (Rds On): 270 mOhm maximum at specified gate voltage
Gate Threshold Voltage (Vgs(th)): 4V maximum at 250µA
Package Type: TO-247-3 through-hole configuration
Mounting Type: Through Hole

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

Operating Temperature Range: -55°C to 150°C minimum
Gate Charge (Qg): Electrical performance indicator
Power Dissipation: Thermal management capability

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category A – Direct Electrical Equivalents (Vdss 500V, Id 20A): Parts meeting or exceeding the primary substitution criteria with identical or superior electrical ratings. These include IRFP460PBF, IRFP460APBF, IRFP460LC, and IRFP460LCPBF from Vishay Siliconix.

Category B – Functional Alternatives (Vdss 500V, Id ≥14A): Parts with reduced continuous drain current (14A to 17A) but maintaining 500V Vdss rating and compatible package. These include STW14NK50Z and STW20NK50Z from STMicroelectronics. These alternatives are suitable for applications where the full 20A rating is not required.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Vdss (V)	Id @ 25°C (A)	Rds On @ 10V (mOhm)	Vgs(th) @ 250µA (V)	Qg @ 10V (nC)	Power Dissipation (W)	Package	Status
IRFP460	IXYS	500	20	270	4	210	260	TO-247-3	Obsolete
IRFP460PBF	Vishay Siliconix	500	20	270	4	210	280	TO-247-3	Active
IRFP460APBF	Vishay Siliconix	500	20	270	4	105	280	TO-247-3	Active
IRFP460LC	Vishay Siliconix	500	20	270	4	120	280	TO-247-3	Active
IRFP460LCPBF	Vishay Siliconix	500	20	270	4	120	280	TO-247-3	Active
STW20NK50Z	STMicroelectronics	500	17	270	4.5	119	190	TO-247-3	Active
STW14NK50Z	STMicroelectronics	500	14	380	4.5	92	150	TO-247-3	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Direct Equivalents):

IRFP460PBF and IRFP460APBF from Vishay Siliconix are the preferred direct substitutes. Both maintain the 500V/20A electrical specification and TO-247-3 package compatibility. IRFP460PBF is available in the highest quantity (31,634 units) and carries RoHS3 compliance certification. IRFP460APBF offers reduced gate charge (105 nC versus 210 nC), which may provide improved switching performance in high-frequency applications. Both parts are classified as Active products, ensuring long-term availability.

IRFP460LC and IRFP460LCPBF are functionally equivalent alternatives with identical electrical ratings. IRFP460LCPBF carries RoHS3 compliance and is recommended for applications requiring regulatory compliance. IRFP460LC is RoHS non-compliant and should be selected only when legacy design requirements mandate non-compliant components.

Secondary Substitutes (Functional Alternatives):

STW20NK50Z from STMicroelectronics maintains the 500V rating with 17A continuous drain current and 270 mOhm on-state resistance. This part is suitable for applications where the full 20A rating is not required. The reduced power dissipation (190W versus 260W) may necessitate thermal design review.

STW14NK50Z is a lower-current alternative (14A) with increased on-state resistance (380 mOhm) and reduced power dissipation (150W). This part is suitable only for applications with significantly reduced current requirements.

Compliance Considerations:

All recommended primary substitutes carry RoHS3 compliance certification. Applications requiring REACH compliance should select IRFP460PBF (REACH Unaffected) or IRFP460APBF (REACH Unaffected). IRFP460LCPBF is classified as REACH Affected and should be avoided in applications with strict REACH requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can IRFP460PBF be used as a direct replacement for IRFP460?

A: Yes. IRFP460PBF meets all primary electrical specifications: 500V Vdss, 20A continuous drain current, 270 mOhm on-state resistance, and 4V gate threshold voltage. The TO-247-3 package is mechanically and electrically compatible. IRFP460PBF is an active product with superior availability compared to the obsolete IRFP460.

Q: What is the difference between IRFP460PBF and IRFP460APBF?

A: Both parts maintain identical voltage, current, and on-state resistance ratings. The primary difference is gate charge: IRFP460PBF has 210 nC while IRFP460APBF has 105 nC at 10V. Lower gate charge reduces switching losses in high-frequency applications. IRFP460APBF is preferred for switching frequencies above 50 kHz.

Q: Can STW20NK50Z replace IRFP460 in all applications?

A: STW20NK50Z is suitable only for applications where the continuous drain current requirement does not exceed 17A. The 500V Vdss rating and 270 mOhm on-state resistance are equivalent. However, the reduced power dissipation rating (190W versus 260W) requires thermal design verification. Applications requiring the full 20A rating must use IRFP460PBF, IRFP460APBF, IRFP460LC, or IRFP460LCPBF.

Q: Is the TO-247-3 package identical across all substitute parts?

A: Yes. All substitute parts use the TO-247-3 through-hole package. Mechanical dimensions, pin configuration, and mounting requirements are identical. PCB layout and heatsink mounting are directly compatible without modification.

Q: Which substitute part has the best availability?

A: IRFP460PBF has the highest inventory level at 31,634 units in stock. This part is recommended for new designs and high-volume production requirements.

Q: Are there RoHS compliance differences between substitute parts?

A: Yes. IRFP460PBF, IRFP460APBF, and IRFP460LCPBF are RoHS3 compliant. IRFP460LC is RoHS non-compliant. Applications subject to RoHS regulations must use one of the three compliant alternatives.

Q: What is the impact of reduced gate charge on circuit design?

A: Gate charge affects switching speed and driver circuit requirements. IRFP460APBF with 105 nC gate charge requires less gate current and switches faster than IRFP460PBF with 210 nC. For applications with marginal gate driver capability, IRFP460APBF may provide improved performance. For standard applications, both parts are functionally equivalent.

Q: Can STW14NK50Z be used in place of IRFP460?

A: STW14NK50Z is suitable only for applications where continuous drain current does not exceed 14A. The 380 mOhm on-state resistance is significantly higher than the 270 mOhm specification of IRFP460, resulting in increased power dissipation and heat generation. This part is not recommended as a general replacement.

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