# 5V white LED strip without MOSFET?

**URL:** <https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Created:** [February 23, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096 "2025-02-23T05:32:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sl4m01](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/sl4m01/32/9331_2.png) [@sl4m01](https://wled.discourse.group/u/sl4m01)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/1 "2025-02-23T05:32:36Z")

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Hello all,  
I do have a esp32 nodemcu and a 5V non-adressable white LED strip (only +5V and ground).  
Is it possible to connect this strip with my esp32 WLED without a mosfet device to control the brightness?

For example: 5V connection from power supply to esp32 and LED strip. Ground to esp32. PWM pin to ground of the strip.  
Would this work or would it kill my esp32?

Thank you 🙂

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**Author:** ![dedehai](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/dedehai/32/7265_2.png) [@dedehai](https://wled.discourse.group/u/dedehai)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 8:03am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/2 "2025-02-23T08:03:59Z")

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No, you need something to handle the power.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sl4m01](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/sl4m01/32/9331_2.png) [@sl4m01](https://wled.discourse.group/u/sl4m01)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 9:03am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/3 "2025-02-23T09:03:31Z")

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Ok than you for the answer:) i was expecting this. Can you recommend a cheap transistor? Wouldn’t expect more than 15W power.  
On the wled guide i only find 12V examples. Does it make a difference? Is a IRFZ44N overpowered?

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**Author:** ![dedehai](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/dedehai/32/7265_2.png) [@dedehai](https://wled.discourse.group/u/dedehai)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 10:05am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/4 "2025-02-23T10:05:15Z")

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IRFZ44N is not the best choice and may not work. Better go for teh IRLZ44N as recommended.

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**Author:** ![Superluminal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/superluminal/32/5477_2.png) [@Superluminal](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Superluminal)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 10:29am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/5 "2025-02-23T10:29:51Z")

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the original from International Rectifier (Infineon) is obsolente. “Rebuilds” from china will not guarantee logic level capability

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sl4m01](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/sl4m01/32/9331_2.png) [@sl4m01](https://wled.discourse.group/u/sl4m01)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 11:33am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/5v-white-led-strip-without-mosfet/14096/6 "2025-02-23T11:33:25Z")

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I bought some irlz44n, will try it next week. Thank you fou your answers:)