ZHCSH33Z September 1997 – April 2025 LM317
PRODUCTION DATA
Figure 8-19 shows the TO-263 measured values of RθJA for different copper area sizes using a typical PCB with 1oz. copper. This figure also shows no solder mask over the copper area used for heat sinking.
As shown in Figure 8-21, increasing the copper area beyond 1 square inch produces very little improvement. The minimum value of RθJA for the TO-263 package mounted to a PCB is 32°C/W.
As a design aid, Figure 8-22 shows the maximum allowable power dissipation compared to ambient temperature for the TO-263 device. This figure assumes RθJA is 35°C/W and the maximum junction temperature is 125°C.