26/06/2025 5:05 am
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Hence this may be a silly question but yeah, gotta ask to learn right?
Anyways, while going through different circuits, I noticed that in many switching applications — like turning on/off a load — people use MOSFETs instead of relays.
I’m just curious — why do people prefer MOSFETs over relays in switching circuits?
Is it just about size and speed, or are there other technical reasons too?
Would appreciate any explanation that helps me understand this better!
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01/07/2025 4:42 am
That's actually a great question — and definitely not a silly one. MOSFETs are often preferred over relays in switching circuits for several technical reasons beyond just size and speed.
For starters, MOSFETs switch much faster than relays — in microseconds or less — making them ideal for high-speed or PWM applications. They’re silent, have no moving parts, and don’t wear out like mechanical relays, which means they offer greater reliability and longer life. MOSFETs also consume very little current at the gate, making them more power-efficient, especially in battery-powered systems.
Their compact size and ease of integration with microcontrollers also make them well-suited for modern electronic designs. That said, relays are still useful when you need electrical isolation or when switching high-voltage or high-current AC loads that MOSFETs can't handle directly.
