VN2222LL — 60V 230mA Small-Signal N-Channel MOSFET (TO-92)

Overview

The VN2222LL is a small-signal N-channel enhancement-mode vertical DMOS FET manufactured by Microchip Technology (originally Supertex), Siliconix, and Diodes Incorporated. Housed in a through-hole TO-92 package, its part number was deliberately coined as a MOSFET counterpart to the iconic 2N2222 bipolar transistor.

Rated for a drain-to-source voltage of $60\text{V}$ , continuous drain current of $230\text{ mA}$ ( $1.0\text{A}$ pulsed), and a low gate threshold voltage of $0.6\text{V} \dots 2.4\text{V}$ , the VN2222LL provides sub- $10\text{ns}$ high-speed switching with zero DC base current. It is widely employed as a pin-compatible alternative to the 2N7000 for miniature $5\text{V}/12\text{V}$ relay drivers, LED indicators, bidirectional logic level converters ( $3.3\text{V} \leftrightarrow 5\text{V}$ ), and analog signal muting gates.

Quick reference


Transistor Type	Small-Signal N-Channel Vertical DMOS FET
Package	TO-92 (3-pin through-hole)
Drain-Source Voltage ( $V_{DSS}$ )	$60\text{ V}$ max
Continuous Drain Current ( $I_D$ )	$230\text{ mA}$ ( $0.23\text{ A}$ ) continuous / $1.0\text{ A}$ pulsed
On-Resistance ( $R_{DS(on)}$ at 10V)	$7.5\ \Omega$ max
On-Resistance ( $R_{DS(on)}$ at 4.5V)	$10.0\ \Omega$ max
Gate Threshold Voltage ( $V_{GS(th)}$ )	$0.6\text{ V}$ to $2.4\text{ V}$ (Direct 3.3V and 5V logic compatible)
Turn-On Delay Time ( $t_{d(on)}$ )	$< 10\text{ ns}$ (High-speed switching)
Total Power Dissipation ( $P_D$ )	$1.0\text{ Watt}$
Operating Temp Range	$-55^\circ\text{C}$ to $+150^\circ\text{C}$

Pinout (TO-92 Package - S-G-D Standard)

Looking at the flat front face with leads pointing downward:

text

        ┌─────────┐
        │  TO-92  │
        │VN2222LL │
        └─┬───┬───┬─┘
          1   2   3
          S   G   D

Pin	Name	Type	Description
1	`SOURCE`	Power Source	Source terminal (Connect to common ground / $0\text{ V}$ )
2	`GATE`	Gate Input	Gate control terminal (High-impedance logic voltage input)
3	`DRAIN`	Power Drain	Drain switching terminal (Connect to switched load)

Specifications

Parameter	Symbol	Min	Typ	Max	Unit	Conditions
Drain-Source Breakdown	$V_{(BR)DSS}$	60	—	—	V	$V_{GS} = 0\text{V}, I_D = 10\ \mu\text{A}$
Static Drain-Source $R_{DS(on)}$	$R_{DS(on)}$	—	4.0	7.5	Ω	$V_{GS} = 10\text{V}, I_D = 500\text{mA}$
Static Drain-Source $R_{DS(on)}$	$R_{DS(on)}$	—	5.5	10.0	Ω	$V_{GS} = 4.5\text{V}, I_D = 200\text{mA}$
Gate Threshold Voltage	$V_{GS(th)}$	0.6	1.5	2.4	V	$V_{DS} = V_{GS}, I_D = 1.0\text{mA}$
Drain-Source Leakage	$I_{DSS}$	—	—	10	µA	$V_{DS} = 60\text{V}, V_{GS} = 0\text{V}$
Gate-Body Leakage	$I_{GSS}$	—	—	$\pm 100$	nA	$V_{GS} = \pm 20\text{V}, V_{DS} = 0\text{V}$
Input Capacitance	$C_{ISS}$	—	45	60	pF	$V_{DS} = 25\text{V}, V_{GS} = 0\text{V}, f = 1\text{MHz}$

Typical Relay Driver Circuit (3.3V / 5V MCU Control)

text

                       +5V / +12V DC Relay Supply
                                   │
                           [ + Relay Coil - ]
                                   │
                                   ├───[ 1N4148 / 1N4007 Flyback Diode ]───┐
                                   │   (Anode to Drain, Cathode to +V)     │
                             [Pin 3: DRAIN]                                │
                                VN2222LL                                   │
  MCU GPIO (3.3V / 5.0V)     [Pin 2: GATE]                                 │
          │                        │                                       │
          ├───[ 100Ω Resistor ]────┤                                       │
          │                        ├───[ 100kΩ Pull-Down Resistor ]────────┤
         GND                       │                                       │
                             [Pin 1: SOURCE]                               │
                                   │                                       │
                                  GND ─────────────────────────────────────┴─── Common GND

Comparison: VN2222LL vs 2N7000 vs BS170

Parameter	VN2222LL	2N7000	BS170
$V_{DSS}$ Breakdown	$60\text{ V}$	$60\text{ V}$	$60\text{ V}$
Max Current ( $I_D$ )	$230\text{ mA}$	$200\text{ mA}$	$500\text{ mA}$
$R_{DS(on)}$ at 10V	$7.5\ \Omega$	$5.0\ \Omega$	$5.0\ \Omega$
TO-92 Pinout (Flat Face)	`S - G - D`	`S - G - D`	`D - G - S` (Reversed!)
Power Dissipation	$1.0\text{ W}$	$0.4\text{ W}$	$0.83\text{ W}$

Common mistakes

Confusing TO-92 pinouts with BS170: While the VN2222LL and 2N7000 share the Source - Gate - Drain (S-G-D) lead sequence, the BS170 reverses Drain and Source (Drain - Gate - Source). Always verify pinouts before substituting.
Switching heavy loads exceeding 250mA: Small-signal TO-92 MOSFETs have a channel resistance of $5\ \Omega \dots 10\ \Omega$ . Trying to switch a $1.0\text{A}$ motor will cause excessive $I^2 R$ heating ( $P = 1^2 \times 7.5 = 7.5\text{W}$ ) and vaporize the TO-92 package. For loads $> 500\text{mA}$ , use a power MOSFET like the IRLML6344 or FQP30N06L.

Notes

Suffix Guide: LL designates low-leakage plastic TO-92; -G designates RoHS green molding compound.