18.12.2024
Heatsink Buying Guide: Types and Applications
Discover more about heatsinks, including why they’re important and how to choose the best design for your application in our heatsink buying guide
Heatsinks are quickly becoming one of the most common forms of thermal management with today’s focus on evolving technology and the latest machinery. Heatsinks are becoming essential for heat dissipation, especially to help cool and dissipate heat from electronic components to prevent overheating. Heatsinks help maintain performance and improve the lifespan of popular electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, industrial machinery, LED lighting units and electronic components used in the automotive industry.
In this heatsink buying guide, we’ll explore how a heatsink works, applications they are commonly used in and the differences between a passive and active heatsink.
The Ultimate Heatsink Buying Guide:
What is a heatsink?
A heatsink is a component that increases the heat flow away from a device by increasing the device’s working surface area and the amount of low-temperature fluid that moves across its enlarged surface area. Based on each device’s configuration, we find a multitude of heatsink aesthetics, design and capabilities.
How does a heatsink work?
A heatsink works by dissipating heat from a source that generates heat. Heatsinks work by moving heat away from a critical component, which include mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear, solar, or friction sources.
- The source generates heat – a critical component or system, including mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear or solar can require a heatsink
- Heat transfers away from the source – a heatsink will move the heat into the heatsink and away from the source via natural conduction. The heatsinks thermal conductivity will rely on this process which is why high thermal conductivity materials such as copper and aluminium are most commonly used
- The heat distributes throughout the heatsink – the heat will naturally travel through the heat sink via the natural conduction causing an inconsistent thermal profile. Which usually result in the heat sink being hotter towards the source and cooler towards the other end
- Heat moves away from the heatsink – this process heavily relies on the heat sinks temperature gradient and its working fluid. The working fluid or also known as non-electrically-conductive liquid passes across the surface of the warm heatsink and utilises thermal diffusion and convection to remove the heat away from the surface, into the ambient environment. Often, if the ambient temperature is not cooler than the heatsink, no convection and subsequently no heat removal will occur. This process is also advantageous for those that have a large surface area as it provides an increased area for thermal diffusion and convection.
What’s the difference between an Active and Passive Heatsink?
A passive heatsink relies completely on natural convection which means the hot air alone causes airflow generated across the heatsink system. Passive heat sinks are beneficial because they do not require secondary power or control systems to remove the heat from the system and often prove a more cost effective solution.
An active heatsink, or forced-air cooled heatsink utilises forced air to increase liquid flow across the area. Forced-air heatsinks are often generated by a fan. Fans force the air across the heatsink, allowing the cool air to move across the heatsink surface. Fans help increase the thermal gradient across the heatsink system which allows more heat to exit the overall unit.
Heatsink Applications
Heatsinks are used in everyday systems, and are used alongside high-power semiconductor devices and integrated circuits such as power transistors, IC cooling, AC/DC converters, LED lighting and laser diodes. Heatsinks supplied by GD Rectifiers are commonly used in rail, automotive, solar, marine, electrical and industrial equipment.
Heatsink Profiles in Stock
Stud Device Heatsinks
Small Isolated Device and LED Heatsinks
Medium Isolated Device and LED Heatsinks
High Efficiency Solid Fin Large Module Device and LED Lighting Heatsinks
High Efficiency Hollow Fin Large Isolated Device Heatsinks
Capsule Device Heatsinks
GD Rectifiers is a designer and manufacturer of standard and custom-made heatsinks, offering a comprehensive range of heatsink profiles and accessories to customers. As a leading distributor for IXYS and Semikron, GD Rectifiers also has access to a wide range of semiconductor components. Our power assemblies are designed and built using customer specific components or power semiconductor components from our trusted partners.
For further information on GD Rectifiers comprehensive range of heatsinks, please contact our team on: 01444 243 452 or email: [email protected].
