TO220 Aluminum Heatsink

TO220 Aluminum Heatsink Set

Radiator Ic Transistor MOSFET BJT LM78XX LM317 IRFXXX TDAXX LM7805 LM7812

     The TO220 aluminum heatsink set is a U type passive heatsink for TO-220 package transistors, MOSFETs, voltage regulators and similar power parts. The TO-220 body sits in the 11.4mm wide inner channel of the 20x15x10mm extruded aluminum body; the grooved fins on the back face and side walls increase the heat spreading surface. It needs no fan and weighs about 2gr; as it stands upright together with the part when the part's pins are soldered to the PCB, it takes little space on small circuit boards.

     So that the metal tab of the IC does not make electrical contact with the heatsink, the set is shipped with a silicone insulating pad, a plastic insulating washer and an M3 screw. The mounting hole of the heatsink is M3 threaded, so no nut is needed: the screw passes through the washer and the part and is screwed directly into the heatsink. It is used with common TO-220 parts such as LM7805, LM7812, LM317, IRFZ44N, IRF540, TIP41C, TIP122 and TDA2030.

     It is suitable for regulator, switching and driver circuits with low and medium power dissipation. In high current applications this small heatsink alone may not be enough; in that case a larger heatsink or a fan should be used.


Features:

• Product type: U type extruded aluminum passive heatsink set for TO-220 package
• Compatible package: TO-220 (transistor, MOSFET, regulator, triac, SCR) and the 5 pin Pentawatt package with the same tab size (for example TDA2030)
• Compatible parts (examples): LM7805, LM7812, LM317, IRFZ44N, IRF540, IRF3205, TIP41C, TIP122, TDA2030
• Mounting: M3 threaded hole; the screw goes directly into the heatsink, no nut needed
• Insulation: The silicone pad and plastic insulating washer electrically separate the metal tab of the part from the heatsink
• Silicone insulating pad: 19mm x 13mm, with centre hole, grey
• Insulating washer: White plastic shoulder washer; keeps the screw from touching the tab of the part
• Screw: M3 x 8mm, Phillips pan head
• Heat transfer: Passive; no fan or extra power needed
• Fin structure: Grooved fins on the back face and side walls increase the heat spreading surface
• Hole position: The hole centre is 3.5mm from one end of the heatsink and 16.5mm from the other end
• Way of use: When the part's pins are soldered to the PCB, the heatsink stands upright together with the part
• Material: Aluminum heatsink, silicone pad, plastic washer, metal screw
• Colour: Silver (aluminum)
• Inner channel width: 11.4mm (the TO-220 body sits in the channel)
• Dimensions: 20mm x 15mm x 10mm
• Weight: about 2gr (heatsink)

Usage information:

• Mounting order: heatsink, silicone pad, TO-220 part, insulating washer and M3 screw. Align the hole of the pad with the hole of the heatsink, and the tab hole of the part with the hole of the pad.
• Fit the insulating washer with its shoulder side into the tab hole of the part, so that the metal screw does not touch the tab. Tighten the screw into the threaded hole of the heatsink by hand, without excessive force.
• After mounting, check with a multimeter that there is no short circuit between the tab of the part and the heatsink.

Areas of use:

•  LM7805, LM7812 and LM317 voltage regulator circuits
•  Adjustable laboratory and fixed power supply circuits
•  Audio amplifier circuits with ICs such as TDA2030
•  DC motor driver and PWM circuits with MOSFETs
•  LED driver and dimmer circuits
•  Battery charger circuits
•  Small inverter and DC-DC converter circuits
•  AC load control with triacs and SCRs
•  Relay, solenoid and fan driver transistor stages
•  Arduino and hobby electronics projects, educational experiments
   

Precautions:

•  This small heatsink is for low and medium power dissipation. For regulators or MOSFETs working at high current, use a larger heatsink or a fan.
•  The metal tab of TO-220 parts is usually connected to one pin (for example the drain of a MOSFET). If more than one part will be mounted on the same heatsink or enclosure, always use the silicone pad and the insulating washer.
•  Do not overtighten the screw; the aluminum threads may strip and the silicone pad may tear and lose its insulation.
•  The heatsink gets hot during operation; do not touch it while the circuit is powered or right after switching it off.

Package contents:

•  1 Piece TO220 Aluminum Heatsink
•  1 Piece Silicone insulating pad
•  1 Piece Plastic insulating washer
•  1 Piece M3 x 8mm screw
•  Note: The TO-220 part in the picture (transistor / regulator) and a nut are not included in the package.