IRL640 N-Channel MOSFET 200V 17A TO-220AB Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The IRL640 is an N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) rated for 200V drain-to-source voltage with 17A continuous drain current at 25°C. The device is housed in a Through Hole TO-220AB package and dissipates up to 125W at the case temperature. The IRL640 is classified as Obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing production and maintenance applications. Active alternatives with identical or superior electrical characteristics are available from multiple manufacturers.

Substiute Parts

IRL640

Vishay SiliconixIn Stock: 4174IRL640 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

IRL640PBF

Vishay SiliconixIn Stock: 15236IRL640PBF Datasheet

DirectRFQ

IRL640PBF-BE3

Vishay SiliconixIn Stock: 4258IRL640PBF-BE3 Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

FDP18N20F

onsemiIn Stock: 22792FDP18N20F Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

IRF200B211

Infineon TechnologiesIn Stock: 7114IRF200B211 Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

IRF640NPBF

Infineon TechnologiesIn Stock: 85421IRF640NPBF Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

IRL640A

onsemiIn Stock: 1639IRL640A Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

STP19NF20

STMicroelectronicsIn Stock: 1420STP19NF20 Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the IRL640 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Primary Equivalence Criteria:

• Drain to Source Voltage (Vdss): 200V minimum
• Continuous Drain Current (Id): 17A or greater at 25°C
• Package Type: TO-220-3 (Through Hole)
• Gate Drive Voltage: Compatible with 5V or 10V drive levels
• Operating Temperature Range: -55°C to 150°C minimum

Secondary Compatibility Factors:

• Rds On (Max): Lower or equal values indicate improved performance
• Gate Charge (Qg): Lower values reduce switching losses
• Power Dissipation: Equal or greater ratings ensure thermal headroom
• RoHS Compliance: ROHS3 Compliant status for regulatory alignment

Substitutes are grouped into three categories: Direct Manufacturer Equivalents (identical electrical specifications and packaging), Parametric Equivalents (matching core electrical parameters with minor variations), and Manufacturer Recommended Alternatives (functionally compatible with acceptable parameter trade-offs).

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Replacement (Preferred):

IRL640PBF and IRL640PBF-BE3 are direct electrical and mechanical equivalents to the IRL640. Both parts maintain identical electrical specifications across all rated parameters and are housed in the same TO-220-3 package. Both are Active products with ROHS3 Compliance, making them suitable for new designs and production continuity. IRL640PBF is available in Tube packaging with 15,165 units in stock. IRL640PBF-BE3 is also available in Tube packaging with 4,192 units in stock. These parts are the primary recommendation for direct substitution.

Parametric Equivalents (Acceptable Substitutes):

IRF640NPBF (Infineon Technologies) provides superior electrical performance with 18A continuous drain current, 150mOhm Rds On, and 150W power dissipation. The device operates at 10V drive voltage and maintains 200V Vdss rating. IRF640NPBF is classified as Not For New Designs but carries ROHS3 Compliance. This part is suitable for applications where higher current capacity and lower on-resistance provide design margin.

IRL640A (onsemi) matches the 5V drive voltage characteristic of the original IRL640 with 18A continuous drain current. The device is Obsolete but ROHS3 Compliant. Gate charge is reduced to 56nC, offering faster switching characteristics.

Alternative Substitutes (Application-Dependent):

FDP18N20F (onsemi) and STP19NF20 (STMicroelectronics) operate at 10V drive voltage with reduced gate charge (26nC and 24nC respectively), resulting in lower switching losses. FDP18N20F is Obsolete; STP19NF20 is Active. Both are ROHS3 Compliant. These parts are suitable for applications where switching frequency and thermal management are critical, despite lower continuous current ratings (18A and 15A respectively).

IRF200B211 (Infineon Technologies) is rated for 12A continuous drain current at 25°C, below the IRL640 specification. This part is Active and ROHS3 Compliant but is suitable only for applications with reduced current requirements.

Compliance and Regulatory Considerations:

The original IRL640 is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes (IRL640PBF, IRL640PBF-BE3, IRF640NPBF, IRL640A, FDP18N20F, IRF200B211, and STP19NF20) are ROHS3 Compliant, meeting current regulatory requirements for electronic components in restricted substance directives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can IRL640PBF be used as a direct replacement for IRL640?

A: Yes. IRL640PBF is electrically and mechanically identical to IRL640 across all specified parameters. Both devices are rated for 200V Vdss, 17A continuous drain current, 180mOhm Rds On at 10A/5V, and 125W power dissipation. The primary difference is product status: IRL640 is Obsolete while IRL640PBF is Active. IRL640PBF is also ROHS3 Compliant, whereas IRL640 is not.

Q: What is the difference between IRL640PBF and IRL640PBF-BE3?

A: Both parts are electrically identical with matching specifications for voltage, current, on-resistance, and power dissipation. The designation suffix "-BE3" indicates a specific manufacturing or packaging variant. Both are Active products with ROHS3 Compliance and are suitable for direct substitution of the original IRL640.

Q: Can IRF640NPBF replace IRL640 in all applications?

A: IRF640NPBF is electrically compatible with IRL640 for applications requiring 200V Vdss and 17A or greater continuous drain current. IRF640NPBF provides superior performance with 18A continuous current, 150mOhm Rds On (versus 180mOhm), and 150W power dissipation (versus 125W). However, IRF640NPBF operates at 10V drive voltage, whereas IRL640 operates at 5V. Applications using 5V gate drive circuits require verification of gate drive capability before substitution. IRF640NPBF is classified as Not For New Designs.

Q: Why is gate charge (Qg) important for substitution?

A: Gate charge determines the energy required to switch the MOSFET on and off. Lower gate charge reduces switching losses and allows faster switching frequencies. Substitutes with lower Qg (such as FDP18N20F at 26nC or STP19NF20 at 24nC) improve efficiency in high-frequency switching applications but may require different gate drive circuit design.

Q: Is package compatibility guaranteed across all substitutes?

A: All recommended substitutes use the TO-220-3 Through Hole package, ensuring mechanical and pin compatibility with the original IRL640. Physical mounting and PCB layout remain unchanged. However, thermal performance may vary due to differences in power dissipation ratings and die design.

Q: What is the significance of RoHS compliance in selecting a substitute?

A: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance is a regulatory requirement in many markets. The original IRL640 is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes are ROHS3 Compliant, meeting current environmental and safety standards. For new designs and production, ROHS3 Compliant parts are mandatory in most jurisdictions.

Q: Can STP19NF20 be used if the application requires 17A continuous current?

A: STP19NF20 is rated for 15A continuous drain current at 25°C, which is below the 17A requirement of the original IRL640. This part is suitable only for applications with reduced current demands. For applications requiring 17A or greater, use IRL640PBF, IRL640PBF-BE3, IRF640NPBF, or IRL640A.

Q: What is the operating temperature range compatibility?

A: The original IRL640 operates from -55°C to 150°C (TJ). All recommended substitutes maintain this range or exceed it. IRF640NPBF and IRF200B211 extend the upper limit to 175°C, providing additional thermal margin. Temperature range compatibility is maintained across all substitutes.

Q: Are there inventory considerations when selecting a substitute?

A: Yes. IRL640PBF has 15,165 units in stock, providing the highest availability. IRL640PBF-BE3 has 4,192 units. IRF640NPBF has 85,400 units available. Other substitutes have lower inventory levels. For production continuity, IRL640PBF or IRF640NPBF are recommended based on availability and application requirements.