Thermal Resistance °C/W

Derive the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance from a steady-state temperature rise over dissipated power.

Description

Derive the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance from a steady-state temperature rise over dissipated power.

Thermal Resistance °C/W: Derive the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance from a steady-state temperature rise over dissipated power.

When to use Thermal Resistance °C/W

Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Junction temperature (°C)
Required number input.
Ambient temperature (°C)
Required number input.
Power dissipation (W)
Required number input.

How Thermal Resistance °C/W works

Derive the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance from a steady-state temperature rise over dissipated power. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.1

Thermal resistance (°C/W)
The resulting thermal resistance returned as a number.

Limitations and assumptions

  • Thermal-resistance arithmetic assumes the stated heat path, steady state, reference temperatures, and approximately linear properties. Interface materials, airflow, orientation, spreading resistance, transient thermal impedance, nearby heat sources, mounting torque, and enclosure temperature can dominate junction temperature.
  • Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Alternative or Complementary approaches

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

References

  1. Thermal conductance and resistance — Wikipedia contributors

Similar or alternative tools

  • Power Dissipation from Temperature Rise

    Infer steady-state power dissipation as (Tj−Ta)/θJA from a measured junction and ambient temperature. Use the effective thermal resistance for the same assembly and cooling conditions.

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    Calculate junction-to-case thermal resistance from junction and case temperatures under steady dissipated power; junction temperature must be no lower than case temperature.

  • Junction Temperature

    Estimate the semiconductor junction temperature from ambient temperature, dissipated power and thermal resistance.

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