February 21, 2022
Efficient Thermal Management Solutions for Power Suppliers
Thermal management is one of the most crucial aspects of selecting or designing a power supply. Below, we will examine the various pathways to minimize heat loss in a device and ways to dissipate heat for higher performance effectively.
How Heat Impacts Power Supply Performance
Its heat dissipation efficiency directly impacts the performance of a power supply. Electronic circuits tend to perform at optimal levels than higher temperatures at lower temperatures, where more energy dissipates in heat. By cooling the system, we achieve efficiency gains and increased power output. Systems that are cooled while running has a lower chance of failing. These factors are considered while designing cooling options for power supplies.
According to the first law of thermodynamics, Power In = Power Out, the amount of heat dissipation in a power supply design should ideally be zero. Due to the consumption of energy in internal electronics in the power supply, we can rewrite the equation as:
Power In = Power Out + Power in the form of heat dissipation.
The efficiency of a converter tells how much power dissipates, the amount of which we can derive from:
Power Out * (1 – Efficiency)/Efficiency.
Power Supply Loses Heat Through 3 Ways
A power supply can lose heat through three main ways – convection, conduction, and radiation. Whereas heat loss through radiation rarely happens, convection and conduction are the significant sources of heat loss.
In the convection process, heat is lost from the power supply when transferring energy from the solid components into the air. The rate at which the heat is lost is proportional to the airflow rate over the system. Conduction, on the other hand, is where metals play a considerable role in heat loss.
Heat Sinks Prevents Failure of Devices in Power Supply
A heat sink helps prevent some or all the heat lost in a power supply. The heat sink increases cooling efficiency by increasing the device’s surface area that is in contact with the air surrounding it. There are different types of heat sinks to choose from that are available at Getec.
For example, an extruded heat sink is one of the most cost-effective solutions for preventing heat loss. Then there are fabricated fin assemblies designed to offer an additional surface area to cool the device.
Getec Industrial’s Turnkey Thermal Management Solutions
Getec Industrial provides many creative and cost-effective solutions for cooling electronics. With more than three decades of experience serving various industries with thermal management solutions, you are sure to have your device fixed within no time. So, call 888-999-8499, visit our website, or send us an email at sales@getecna.com and talk to our specialists right away.
