Understanding Transistor Power Dissipation

I like your page about current source circuit basic design. However, I still have Little confuse of the power dissipation calculation.

The max power dissipation of my circuit is 20.5V x 0.5A = 10.25W, but transistors I found are 2W power dissipation. But my input voltages is just varied from 18.0V to 20.5V only. Do you think the 2W power dissipation transistor is fine? Any help will be appreciated.

Mail From MT

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When the Current source output is short circuited or connected to a low impedance load say 10 ohms, the full voltage of input 20V falls across the transistor but current is limited to 0.5A. which means the 2W transistor may Roast. The transistor when conducting, the watts is the volts across it and current thru it. Not your supply Voltage.

Power Electronics & Solar Energy



HeatSinks in Electronics - For all types of packages, there are heatsinks. They are mainly made of Black Anodized Aluminium. Aluminium is a good conductor of heat and Anodizing prevents any form of corrosion. Linear Regulated Supplies, RF Transmitters and Power Amplifiers have Devices that need heatsinks. Use Mica, Silpad, PolySulphone Pads for Electrical Isolation. HeatSink compound too.

Power Supplies Section

Design in such a way there is no short circuit or a a power resistor in source. But then efficiency drops. The best way is to use a switching supply design or keep the input voltage across transistor to a minimum.

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