SMD Pad thermal relief for high current.
SMD Pad thermal relief for high current.
(OP)
Hi, I have put together a design based around a LM2742.. given it to my PCB designer who has put thermal relief in for the inductor pads. Not having much experience with PSU design I would like to know if these pads should have thermal relief and to what thickness as they have to carry a lot of current (20A+) or should they be a direct connection to the power plane.
Many thanks
Many thanks





RE: SMD Pad thermal relief for high current.
Without thermals, some SMT solders might need rework, as the temperature may not rise enough for a good solder joint. But it is better than problems caused by poor current paths.
Thermals appear automatically on ground connections in many CAD packages. Sometimes you need a manual operation to remove the thermal. Ask your PCB designer, to make sure that you won't be fooled by a thermal that reappears without warning at your next PCB revision.
RE: SMD Pad thermal relief for high current.
Cheers.
John
RE: SMD Pad thermal relief for high current.