Mounting heatsinks to T0220 regulators

[Canetoad]

Hi guys,

Can anybody give me advice on what I need (shims, paste) to attach a heatsink to a voltage regulator? I'm a bit of a novice.

I bought this kit on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280323854145&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

In the picture it doesn't appear to be actually attached to the heatsink, just surrounded by it. There's no mounting hardware in the kit for it either.

[Rare Bird]

Silicon insulators will do the trick. easy no mess

[MartinT]

If the heatsink is not touching any other component and is not earthed, then you can attach the reg to the heatsink directly, using a small amount of heatsink compound between the two. You can get compound from Maplins or eBay.

You normally only need insulators if you're dealing with high voltage or there are more than one transistor to attach to the same heatsink (e.g. in power amplifiers). Again, insulator kits are available from Maplins or eBay.

[Techno Commander]

I would recommend silicone insulators over mica ones and heatsink compound anyday.

[MartinT]

Yes, but if you're not going to insulate then heatsink compound gives much better heat transfer than just bolting two (not so flat) surfaces together.

[Canetoad]

Can somebody give me a part number for the silicon insulator? I can't seem to find it.:(

[Rare Bird]

sent you a PM alread bernie

[Canetoad]

Thanks Andre. I was using a zero instead of an "O" in search using T0220. :doh:

Thanks everybody else as well.

[UV101]

http://uk.farnell.com/bergquist/k10-54/thermal-pad-to-220/dp/936741

As previously stated, unless it actually needs insulating, just use some heatsink compound and leave the insulator. I tend to use encapsulated 220's for my regs then I don't need to worry ;)