TO220 LEDs?

I browsed the new Maplin (UK) catalogue today and saw some 1W LEDs in a
TO 220 package. For the uninitiated these are the same package used for
many high power transistors, triacs, voltage regulators and other stuff,
and look like a small rectangle with a heatsink tab on one end and two
or three legs sticking out the other.

I suppose this makes sense since it facilitates easy fixing to a
standard heatsink with a wide range of standard insulating shims and
screw isolators to ensure isolation from the heatsink. I can imagine
these being ideal for use in long strips where a thin PCB runs under the
legs making connection. It should allow quite dense linear packing if
the heatsink is up to the job.

 

What is the direction of the light relative to the rest of
the package. Fro the "top" or the "front"?

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
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If you can imagine the area where the device data is normally printed,
then that's where the light is emitted.

 

Thanks. I would call that the "front" since the heat sink is
on the back

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
To reply via e-mail:
replace xxx with vdr in the Reply to: address
or use e-mail address listed at the Web site.

This information is provided for educational purposes only.
It may not be used in any publication or posted on any Web
site without written permission.