I routinely need to switch small loads on and off using the 3.3V GPIO pins of a processor. Loads are typically 500mA. The important thing is that I need to switch up to 12V. In the past I have used an N-Fet/ P-Fet pair for this.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a more "modern" and compact way to do this with an IC having the FETs on board, perhaps having multiple switches on an IC?
thanks
fritz

 

I routinely need to switch small loads on and off using the 3.3V GPIO pins of a processor. Loads are typically 500mA. The important thing is that I need to switch up to 12V. In the past I have used an N-Fet/ P-Fet pair for this.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a more "modern" and compact way to do this with an IC having the FETs on board, perhaps having multiple switches on an IC?
thanks
fritz

I have used a Darlington array IC such as the ULN2003A for this purpose before.

 

Thanks. This looks like it will do the job. Still comes in PDIP too!