DS_DNT12SMD03_07182012

9

THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS

Thermal management is an important part of the

system design. To ensure proper, reliable operation,

sufficient cooling of the power module is needed over

the entire temperature range of the module. Convection

cooling is usually the dominant mode of heat transfer.

Hence, the choice of equipment to characterize the

thermal performance of the power module is a wind

tunnel.

Thermal Testing Setup

Delta’s DC/DC power modules are characterized in

heated vertical wind tunnels that simulate the thermal

environments

encountered

in

most

electronics

equipment. This type of equipment commonly uses

vertically mounted circuit cards in cabinet racks in

which the power modules are mounted.

The

following

figure

shows

the

wind

tunnel

characterization setup. The power module is mounted

on a test PWB and is vertically positioned within the

wind tunnel. The height of this fan duct is constantly

kept at 25.4mm (1

’’).

Thermal Derating

Heat can be removed by increasing airflow over the

module. To enhance system reliability, the power

module should always be operated below the maximum

operating temperature. If the temperature exceeds the

maximum module temperature, reliability of the unit

may be affected.

AIR FLOW

MODULE

PWB

AIR VELOCITY

AND AMBIENT

TEMPERATURE

SURED BELOW

THE MODULE

FANCING PWB

Note: Wind Tunnel Test Setup Figure Dimensions are in millimeters and (Inches)

Figure 27: Wind tunnel test setup

THERMAL CURVES

Figure 28: Temperature measurement location

The allowed maximum hot spot temperature is defined at 125

DNT12S0A0S03(standard) Output Current vs. Ambient Temperature and Air Velocity

@Vin = 12V,Vo=0.75V~5V (Either Orientation)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

Natural

Convection

Ambient Temperature (℃)

Output Current (A)

Figure 29:Output current vs. ambient temperature and air

velocity@ Vin=12V, Vo=0.75V ~5.0V (Either Orientation)