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I'm using a HEXFET IRFU3706 to control a halogen light (using PWM)  (Thanks
PIC list!)  Everything works great!

However, I experienced this once...the wire that is connected to the Gate
of the HEXFET was free (not connected to my microcontroller) and
accidentally touched part of my microcontroller...(I'm not using the PIC,
I'm using a BX-24) and the HEXFET turned on.  And then the wire was free
again, touching nothing, but the HEXFET remained on.

Then something started to smoke and I quickly turned off power to my circuit.

I touched the HEXFET and it was _really_ hot.  What happened?  Is it
because the HEXFET was not totally saturated?  Is that why it got so hot?

Another time, I accidentally touched free wire (while I was re-wiring my
circuit) with my fingers and that turned on the HEXFET (I guess I just had
enough charge on my body.)  This time the HEXFET didn't feel hot at all.  I
tried this a few times, and sometimes the HEXFET lit the light very dimly,
sometimes it turned the light fully on.  I touched the HEXFET and it didn't
seem to be warm at all.  I guess during the times when it was dim, it was
because I only had a small charge on my body and the HEXFET was not in
saturation?




James Tu
james@2-bit-toys.com

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