What to use as a heatsink and how to connect heatsink with regulator?

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In my circuit, I used several voltage regulator, do I need heat sink?
Can I just layout a copper area as heat sink?
Actually, I don't know the conections between regulator and heatsink. Any help
is appreciated. And the heatsink is not expected to be too big. Thanks
 

Re: Heat sink Problem

yeah copper area under the chip/ vias to ground/ are some of the optionsbut check the datasheet of the regulator, they will definitely specify the thermal dissipation recommendations. and they should have the relationship between copper area/ temperature rise.

some chip may have exposed paddle under the chip and that may need to be connected to the copper on the board. so verify the datasheet.
 

Re: Heat sink Problem

The regulator data sheets will show how to do thermal calculations. If you dissipate more than a few tenths of a Watt, you will need some form of heat sink. With over a Watt, you will need a real heat sink, not just copper on the PC card.
 

Re: Heat sink Problem

what is the part # of the regulator you are using ?
 

Re: Heat sink Problem

Yes, copper is used extensively as a heatsink, especially with surface-mount devices. Some devices have special pads that must be soldered to a copper area for efficient cooling.

You must calculate the required copper area based on the power dissipation, maximum ambient temperature and maximum allowable junction temperature (usually 100°C).

Take a look at this appnote AND8036-D from ON Semi. (Others can be found at National, for instance). The second part deals with surface mount packages and even give calculation examples.
www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/AND8036-D.PDF
 

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