At 11:39 PM 4/9/98 EDT, you wrote:
>I'm trying to use a PIC to control several amps (PWM).  From what I read in
>catalogs, etc. MOSFETs are the way to go so I bought a 4A MOSFET (IFR510) at
>RadioShack.  The ratings and specifications that came with the mosfet says
>"low drive current".  The PIC manual says "high source current (~20mA).  Am I
>safe to attach a PIC output pin directly to the gate of the mosfet or is
there
>a safer way to do this.

Yes, you can connect direct in this case.  When in doubt, use a 1k ohm
resistor between the PIC output pin and the device you are driving. MOSFETs
have a very high input impedance, well, well under a microamp drive.  To
the driving device it looks more like a cap than anything else.

Wynn Rostek
WB4ZUY