The multi-leaded power package is a style of electronic component package, commonly used for high power integrated circuits, especially for monolithic audio amplifiers. It was derived from single in-line package. The difference is the lead arrangement; multi-leaded power packages usually have the lead bent to zig-zag pattern. Multi-leaded power packages commonly have more than three leads; nine-, thirteen- and fifteen-lead units are common, units with five or seven leads with TO-220 style are also manufactured. A notable characteristic is a metal tab with a hole, used in mounting the case to a heatsink. The physical view of multi-leaded power packages are simply stretched TO-220 packages. Components made in multi-leaded power packages can handle more power than those constructed in TO-220 cases, or even TO3 cases with thermal resistance no less than 1.5 C/W.[1]
One well-known STMicroelectronics brand of this type of package is Multiwatt.[2]
- ^ Hopkins, T.; Tiziani, R. (1989), "Transient thermal impedance considerations in power semiconductor applications", Automotive Power Electronics 1989, Dearborn, MI, USA, USA: IEEE, pp. 89–97, doi:10.1109/APE.1989.97162, S2CID 111154062
- ^ Hopkins, T.; Cognetti, C.; Tiziani, R. (1988). "AN261 Designing with Thermal Impedance" (PDF). STMicroelectronics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-12-23.