1. What is a Heat Sink Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the thermal resistance of a heat sink based on temperature difference and heat flow rate.

Purpose: It helps engineers and designers evaluate heat sink performance for electronic cooling applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( θ \) — Thermal resistance (K/W)
• \( ΔT \) — Temperature difference between heat source and ambient (K)
• \( Q \) — Heat flow rate (W)

Explanation: Thermal resistance indicates how effectively a heat sink transfers heat from a component to the environment.

3. Importance of Thermal Resistance Calculation

Details: Proper heat sink selection prevents overheating, ensures component reliability, and maintains optimal performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the temperature difference (ΔT) in Kelvin and heat flow rate (Q) in Watts. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good thermal resistance value?
A: Lower values (0.1-5 K/W) indicate better heat dissipation. The ideal value depends on your application's thermal requirements.

Q2: How do I measure temperature difference?
A: ΔT is the difference between the component's junction temperature and ambient temperature.

Q3: What affects heat sink performance?
A: Material (aluminum/copper), surface area, fin design, airflow, and thermal interface materials all impact performance.

Q4: Can I use °C instead of K for ΔT?
A: Yes, because a 1°C difference equals a 1K difference (only the scale offset differs).

Q5: How does this relate to junction-to-ambient resistance?
A: This calculates the heat sink's contribution to the overall thermal resistance path.