Predicting Device Thermal Performance Using a Simulation Tool

Focus:

PLECS is an electrical circuit simulator that can also perform thermal modeling. This article describes the techniques used by PLECS for fast electrical and thermal simulation. A unique aspect of PLECS' thermal simulation involves combining all losses from components mounted to a heatsink and inserting those losses into a thermal network. Another unique aspect is how conduction losses and switching losses of components are determined using look-up tables that provide much faster simulation than if those losses were calculated from current and voltage waveforms. To demonstrate how thermal modeling works in PLECS, the article presents a simulation of the temperature rise of a power MOSFET (the FCD4N60) in a single-switch flyback converter developed for use as an LED power supply. Simulation results are compared with experimental data.

What you’ll learn:

• How to perform a combined electrical and thermal simulation of a power converter using the PLECS circuit simulator
• How to understand the principles of operation used by PLECS to perform electrical-thermal simulations

Notes:

Article appears on pages 38-40 of February issue in article archive. You must register to access articles in this magazine's archive.

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Author & Publication:

Dr. John Schönberger, Plexim GmbH, Bodo's Power Systems, Feb 01 2009

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