What is Maximum Power Dissipation?
Maximium Power Dissipation is the maximum total device dissipation for which the regulator will operate within specifications (including maximum junction temperature). When a value is given for Maximum Power Dissipation, it is typically valid for room temperature operation. When a device has internal over-temperature limiting, Maximum Power Dissipation is given as “Internally Limited”. You can estimate the maximum power that can be dissipated in an application, while keeping the junction temperature within its limit, by using the following equation: Pdiss = (Tjmax – Ta)/ThetaJA, where Tjmax is the maximum junction temperature specified for the device, Ta is the ambient temperature, and ThetaJA is the thermal resistance (junction to ambient) of the device package.
