Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is one of the most common causes of MOSFET failure—especially in prototyping and handling stages. A simple static shock from your hand can silently damage the gate, leading to unpredictable behavior or total failure.

❗ The Problem: Static Electricity Kills MOSFETs

MOSFET gates are extremely sensitive. Even 100V of static from your body (you won’t feel it) can puncture the thin gate oxide. This results in leaky switches or permanently on/off behavior. Unfortunately, you might not even realize it’s ESD damage until your project fails in the field.

🛠️ The Solution: Add ESD Protection & Follow Handling Best Practices

To boost ESD robustness:

• Add a gate-to-source resistor (10kΩ–100kΩ) to bleed off static charge.

• Use TVS diodes or ESD protection ICs on sensitive inputs.

• Always ground yourself with a wrist strap or handle ICs by their edges.

🔌 Practical Example: MOSFET Fails in a Motor Driver

You design a simple motor driver with IRFZ44N MOSFETs. It works initially but fails after testing. Adding a 10kΩ gate resistor and a TVS diode extends life and prevents random failures—especially in Indian climates with dry air and static-prone materials.

🔢 Sample Calculation

Gate resistor = 10kΩ
Voltage across gate = 100V ESD surge
Discharge current = 100V / 10kΩ = 10mA
Safe for most MOSFETs, avoiding gate damage.

🛒 Product Suggestions – Made in India

🔌 MOSFET Modules with built-in protection:

🔧 TVS Diodes for ESD Protection:

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