ZHCSH33Z September 1997 – April 2025 LM317
PRODUCTION DATA
The LM317 (new chip) regulators have internal thermal shutdown to protect the device from overheating. Under all operating conditions, make sure the device junction temperature does not exceed the rated maximum junction temperature (TJ) of 125°C for the LM317 (new chip). A heat sink is required depending on the maximum device power dissipation and the maximum ambient temperature of the application. To determine if a heat sink is needed, Equation 9 calculates the power dissipated by the regulator, PD.
Figure 8-18 shows the voltage and currents that are present in the circuit.
Equation 10 calculates the next parameter, which is the maximum allowable temperature rise, TR(MAX).
where:
Using the calculated values for TR(MAX) and PD, Equation 11 calculates the maximum allowable value for the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA).
If the calculated maximum allowable thermal resistance is higher than the actual package rating, then no additional work is needed. If the calculated maximum allowable thermal resistance is lower than the actual package rating, correct this issue. Either reduce PD or TA(MAX), or lower RθJA by adding a heat sink, or some combination thereof. PD is the device power dissipation, TA(MAX) is the maximum ambient temperature, and RθJA is the device thermal resistance.
Equation 12 calculates the value if a heat sink is needed.
where:
When a value for θHA is calculated, select a heat sink with a value that is less than, or equal to, this number.
The θHA rating is specified numerically by the heat sink manufacturer in the catalog, or given in a curve plotting temperature rise versus power dissipation for the heat sink.