Do I need a heatsink?
- Thread starter Dgonza9
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Solid state relays are semiconductor devices that generate heat in proportion to the quantity of amps being switched. Heat sinks capture that thermal rise and dissipate it. It is important that you use a properly sized heat sink or else the SSR product will be permanently damaged.
Although you aren't pulling many amps, it's cheap insurance.
Although you aren't pulling many amps, it's cheap insurance.
Anything over 4 amps really needs a heat sink.
With loads of less than 2-4 amperes, cooling by free flowing convection or forced air currents around the unit is usually sufficient. Loads greater than 4 Amps will require heat sinks. SSR units are to be mounted to some heat sinking metal surface, material heat conductivity should be kept in mind.
With loads of less than 2-4 amperes, cooling by free flowing convection or forced air currents around the unit is usually sufficient. Loads greater than 4 Amps will require heat sinks. SSR units are to be mounted to some heat sinking metal surface, material heat conductivity should be kept in mind.
jasonsbeer
Well-Known Member
Heat sinks are recommended or you may shorten the life of your SSR. A fan will probably help, but I imagine it will not dissipate heat as well as a good heat sink with some heat sink compound in between it and the SSR.
That AC SSR has a voltage drop of at least 1V. Times 10A, that's 10 watts of heat needing to be dissipated by the SSR. I'd say that definitely requires a heat sink.
[edit] just looked at datasheet, 1.6V drop. ~ 20W given off as heat. Needs heatsink.
[edit] just looked at datasheet, 1.6V drop. ~ 20W given off as heat. Needs heatsink.
