Ok, time for me to post a question now....
I've been looking at some specs of N channel Mosfets like the RFP40N10 and the STP130N8F7. The RPF is rated at 40A continuous and the STP device is rated at 80A continuous at 25C. In my mind, the source leg of the TO-220 case would melt carrying at 80A, would it not?
So how the heck does one use a device like these that can carry huge currents? I can see the Drain, being the tab, handling high currents, but that current has to go out somewhere, out the Source leg. (or is it in the Source leg and out the Drain - no matter...)
Any of you experts out there ever pass something like 60A or 80A through a TO-220 Mosfet device? If so, why is it that the Source leg does not get red hot or even melt like a fuse? What am I missing here?
I've been looking at some specs of N channel Mosfets like the RFP40N10 and the STP130N8F7. The RPF is rated at 40A continuous and the STP device is rated at 80A continuous at 25C. In my mind, the source leg of the TO-220 case would melt carrying at 80A, would it not?
So how the heck does one use a device like these that can carry huge currents? I can see the Drain, being the tab, handling high currents, but that current has to go out somewhere, out the Source leg. (or is it in the Source leg and out the Drain - no matter...)
Any of you experts out there ever pass something like 60A or 80A through a TO-220 Mosfet device? If so, why is it that the Source leg does not get red hot or even melt like a fuse? What am I missing here?
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