MOSFETs and Transistors with Arduino

Today we will learn how to use Transistors and MOSFETs to enable our Arduino to switch high-current DC loads, including a 12-volt RGB LED Strip Light.

Transistors are the basic building block of modern electronics. Just about everything uses transistors, including the Arduino itself.

Using a power transistor or MOSFET we can drive high-current devices using the logic-level outputs from our Arduino. Today we’ll learn to use both devices.

We will start with a simple transistor switch, you’ll see how easy it is to switch a high-current DC lamp using a popular power transistor.

Inductive loads like motors and relays present an additional challenge, as these devices generate a “back-EMF” that we need to deal with. We’ll use a diode to take care of the back-EMF and build a simple motor speed controller.

We will then turn our focus to MOSFETs. MOSFETs have a number of advantages over standard transistors. We will learn how to use popular MOSFET modules to control an RGB LED Strip in a simple but colorful experiment.

Here is what is in today's video:

00:00 - Introduction
02:49 - Transistors and MOSFETs
16:23 - Transistor Switching Demo
22:54 - Transistor Motor Control
29:52 - MOSFET RGB LED Strip Light Control

Please note that transistors and MOSFETs are great for controlling DC loads, but not AC. I’ll be showing you how to control AC loads in a future video.

[lwo]

Every DBW video I see, I'm just blown away how well you break stuff down. You're the single reason I'm still doing electronics

[irgski]

You Sir are one of the few ppl on YT who use esd protection - wrist strap and dissipative foam for lining your parts drawers.
Bravo!

[viswanathanramakrishnan]

The work space of yours is marvelous. I saw one such workspace built by one gentleman in Jamshedpur telco colony who was employed in Telco at that time. I had a chance to see this along with a friend who is also son of him and was pursuing Electronic engineering . This is sometime in 1975 when I was facinated by the electronics though I did Bachelor degree in Agriculture.I wanted to have such a workspace but couldn't succeed. Whenever I see such neatly arranged Youtubers in their lab I feel proud of them.

[pirojfmifhghek]

Of all the damn arduino mosfet videos out there, this is THE BEST one out there for understanding the process from beginning to end. I am eternally in your debt.

[adnanaamir]

Sir. Good teacher. You speak very gently and slowly. Which is good for non English people like us. Appreciate.

[bluehornet]

Definitely one of the most fantastic learning channels on YouTube. Great learning for folks just getting into electronics--and even a great review for people who've not done this stuff for a while.

[cloviscareca]

this channel is GREAT. This guy captures exactly the possible doubts that could be in our mind, and answer they BEFORE we even ask it! That's a teacher!

[adaum]

Great. Your slow way of speaking makes learning much easier, even for those who don't speak English natively, like me. Congratulations!

[rachelblack]

This is the cleanest and neatest shop that I've ever seen. Wow.

[darrenstettner]

I’m so jealous of this guys workspace. That is some magnificently ocd organization. Beautiful!

[smileforworldmotivationcha]

I dont understand why such great channel has a few subscribers. Why on earth?

[NewYorkeez]

The man speaks with confidence, I call that Knowledge. Thanks

[alanmusicman]

An excellent introductory tour - and for those of us doing mainly digital electronics you cover most of what we need to know about interfacing our puny logic circuits to the power hungry big-boys world of motors, relays, solenoids and lamps.

One quick observation. As you noted, the LEDs on an RGB chain get quite hot. Thus, it's NOT a good idea to operate them on the reel like that for very long as they can get heat damaged and you start to get failures. Each individual LED doesn't generate much heat, but on a reel like that each position contains three LEDs (a red a green and a blue) and over a 5M length you may have a couple of hundred of them. When theyy are spread out its not really noticeable, but when they are reeled up tight together like that they generate quite a lot and if used for long they might overheat and fail.

[henrikbakk]

Very informative! I'm a complete n00b, and wanted to make a delay-timer on a fan in a 3D-printed enclousure. This is now far more approachable after watching your video - thank you so much!

[tpobrienjr]

Thanks for wearing the static wrist strap. It demonstrates a good habit.

[jankorteweg]

Another fantastic educational video from our teacher.

[bennylloyd-willner]

Oh, how I love when the teacher speaks calmly and without "youngsters" loud cheering and "cool" expressions! THANK YOU!

[martijnvenselaar]

Hey, I just want to say I love your channel and it's really helping me a lot in my projects!

[kengiosi]

High quality quality education and no student loans. Amazing. THANK YOU

[daveb]

This was a very helpful video. I'm new at using an Arduino (Elegoo Starter Kit) and have a great thirst for learning electronics. You really helped me understand more about transistors. Thank You!