Datasheet
DS_DCL12S0A0S20NFA_06182014                                                                                                                  E-mail: DCDC@delta.com.tw 
http://www.deltaww.com/dcdc 
P14 
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS 
Thermal  management  is  an  important  part  of  the  system 
design. To ensure proper, reliable operation, sufficient cooling 
of  the  power  module  is  needed  over the  entire  temperature 
range  of  the  module.  Convection  cooling  is  usually  the 
dominant mode of heat transfer. 
Hence,  the  choice  of  equipment  to  characterize  the  thermal 
performance of the power module is a wind tunnel. 
Thermal Testing Setup 
Delta’s  DC/DC  power  modules  are  characterized  in  heated 
vertical  wind tunnels that  simulate the  thermal environments 
encountered  in  most  electronics  equipment.  This  type  of 
equipment commonly uses vertically mounted circuit cards in 
cabinet racks in which the power modules are mounted. 
The  following  figure  shows  the  wind  tunnel  characterization 
setup. The power module  is mounted  on  a test PWB and is 
vertically positioned within the wind tunnel.   
Thermal Derating 
Heat can be removed by increasing airflow over the module. 
To  enhance  system  reliability,  the  power  module  should 
always  be  operated  below  the  maximum  operating 
temperature. If the temperature exceeds the maximum module 
temperature, reliability of the unit may be affected. 
AIR FLOW
MODULE
PWB
50.8(2.00")
AIR VELOCITY
AND AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE
SURED BELOW
THE MODULE
FANCING PWB
Note: Wind Tunnel Test Setup Figure Dimensions are in millimeters and (Inches)
Figure 38: Wind tunnel test setup   
THERMAL CURVES 
AIRFLOW
Figure 39: Temperature measurement location 
The allowed maximum hot spot temperature is defined at 117
℃
0 
4 
8 
12 
16 
20 
25  30  35  40  45  50  55  60  65  70  75  80  85 
Output Current(A)
Ambient Temperature (℃)
DCL12S0A0S20NFA Output Current vs. Ambient Temperature and Air Velocity
@Vin = 12V, Vo=5.0V (Airflow From Pin10 To Pin8)
100LFM
Natural
Convection
200LFM
300LFM
400LFM
Figure 40: Output current vs. ambient temperature and air 
velocity@Vin=12V, Vout=5.0V(Either Orientation) 
0 
4 
8 
12 
16 
20 
25  30  35  40  45  50  55  60  65  70  75  80  85 
Output Current(A)
Ambient Temperature (℃)
DCL12S0A0S20NFA Output Current vs. Ambient Temperature and Air Velocity
@Vin = 12V, Vo=3.3V (Airflow From Pin10 To Pin8)
100LFM
400LFM
Natural
Convection
200LFM
300LFM
Figure 41: Output current vs. ambient temperature and air 
velocity@Vin=12V, Vout=3.3V(Either Orientation) 










