Is 23.8°C/W junction-to-ambient thermal resistance for a TO-220 in this datasheet with or without a heatsink?

Question

I've been reading datasheets all night trying to figure out which LDO linear regular would give me the most current at 3.3V with no heatsink from a 2S LiFePO4 battery (assuming a max voltage range of 5V-8.4V) without overheating. The old LM1117 appears to be the best thing out there for use without a heatsink, unless I'm reading the datasheet wrong. Am I?

Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance appears to be the relevant specification. Some datasheets specify that they're giving this data without a heatsink (e.g. REG1117, pg. 5). Some datasheets specify that the data is for specific areas and weights of PCB copper that the regulator is soldered to as a heatsink (e.g. TPS7A45XX, pg. 25).

For the LM1117, the value 23.8°C/W is specified for the TO-220 packages in section 6.4 on pg. 4. There are no notes in this section specifying that heat sinking is required to achieve this value. There are notes to that effect for other thermal characteristics (e.g. sections 6.1 and 6.3), and there are notes to that effect for other packages (e.g. TO-252 and WSON), suggesting that this number for the TO-220 package might be without a heatsink.

However... given that it's less than half of the value for similar regulators where the datasheet is unambiguous that the data is for the no-heatsink case, I'm suspicious. Is this really the miraculous regulator I'm looking for (minus the whole tantalum capacitor requirement), one that'll give me twice as much current before overheating as anything else, or am I misreading the datasheet and/or missing something obvious?

All the regulators I've been looking at, for comparison:

• LM1117: 23.8°C/W
• TLV1117: 30°C/W (with the same ambiguity about heat sinking)
• LT1965: 3°C/W (for junction to case, case to ambient unspecified)
• LT1963A: 4°C/W (for junction to case, case to ambient unspecified)
• MIC5239: 50°C/W (also ambiguous about heat sinking)
• LD1117: 50°C/W
• LD1117A: 50°C/W
• REG1117: 65°C/W
• REG104: 65°C/W
• AZ1117C: 100°C/W
• AZ1117I: 100°C/W
• TS1117B:105°C/W
• LDL1117: 120°C/W
• IFX1117: 164°C/W

And a bunch which only specify thermal resistance with heatsinking, mostly soldered to PCB: BDXXC0AXXXX, NCP59150, NCP59300, TPS7A45xx, LT1117, NCP1117, NCP1117LP, SPX1117, ZLDO1117.

Edit: I picked an assortment of TO-220 datasheets from Mouser and looked at junction-to-ambient values. Most manufacturers were pretty much always in the range 50-65°C/W. Texas Instruments was mostly in the range 20-30°C/W. I'm thinking that either TI has figured out a better way to make TO-220 packages that no-one else has, or they're measuring things differently.

Answer 1

It seems to me that TI is being far more detailed in their description and measurement for this particular component than the other manufacturers and other components by TI.

Datasheet

First of all, ignore everything that specifies a copper area - that's for SMD packages and does not apply to TO-220 packages unless you treat them like some ghetto TO-263 package. The intended way for heat to flow out of a TO-220 is through the tab into ambient air or a heat sink.

Second, it can't possibly be the value for a heat sink. If so, it would be a tiny heat sink, and more importantly, the heat sink would have to be specified.

Section 6.1 and 6.3 as you say mentions "All numbers apply for packages soldered directly into a PCB", which is simply them telling you about the standard testing method. It may matter a lot for a SOT-223 but not as much for a TO-220.

In the datasheet they have a helpful note:

(1) For more information about traditional and new thermal metrics, see the Semiconductor and IC Package Thermal Metrics application report, SPRA953.

I suggest you read it, since you are so interested in the details. I just skimmed through it and it looks interesting. Presumably it will detail exactly what they mean with the numbers, and why the look "better" than the other components.

Conclusion

I don't think they lie - trust that value but apply the usual common sense derating. Assume that the figure is for an ideal test case scenario.

I have a hunch that the other values you see may be too high. Reputable manufacturers don't want to publish lies, so if something is hard to measure they will publish the higher number.

Answer 2

No heatsink. 24K/W is pretty low for no heatsink but too high with a heatsink. TO220 is a huge metal tab package though compared to your other examples.

Just spend $5 on a three terminal buck module. Drop in replacement for the TO-220 linear regulators. Way more current and way less heat,

Answer 3

Expect about 100 degree C for small packages (even200 degree C).

The metal tab on the TO-220 dumps enough heat to reach that 25 degree C value.

With TO-220 securely on a large air-cooled heatsink, you can reach 2 degree C.

Now you might ask how satellites in space manage to dump thousands on watts into a vacuum.

Answer 4

You’re right to be suspicious. Manufacturers can increase junction max or reduce junction to case but they can’t make their TO-220 conduct heat to air much better than anyone else.

My guess: it was tested bent over with the tab soldered to the board. With a small copper pad I think it would be about 25.

Answer 5

The parameter is given as R_ΘJA, resistance, thermal, between junction and ambient.

This is the expected thermal performance in the ambient condition, by itself, no heatsink.

SMD devices will specify the footprint and other conditions (foil thickness, number of layers, orientation, etc.). since this parameter depends critically upon connected copper. These usually follow industry standards such as JESD51. If not specified in the datasheet, search the manufacturer for supplementary data, application notes, etc., or contact them for more information.

THT devices will usually be installed normally in board surrounded by free air, so, TO-220 just standing up vertically.

R_ΘJC, resistance, thermal, between junction and case, specifies performance with a heatsink. You add on whatever thermal resistance your heatsinking scheme will provide, and that is the total thermal resistance from junction to ambient. With a figure of 1.5 K/W, the TO-220 can dissipate quite a lot of power, if adequately heatsinked.

Any devices that don't give R_ΘJA, can be reasonably assumed from their package size/shape/type. Thermal resistance of a TO-220 is dominated by its surface area, which is standardized. R_ΘJC is the more critical figure to specify, as it determines ultimate capacity, with heatsink; it has little effect on the ambient rating because ambient resistance is so much higher.