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Air wiring an LM1085 to case heatsink

post #1 of 2
1/23/10 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 
Looks like I am going to try a DC heater for my tube amp. When you air wire a regulator like the LM1085 to a case mounted heatsink can you use regular insulated wire or does it need to be teflon coated?
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post #2 of 2
1/23/10 at 9:53pm
The wire insulation type isn't going to matter. Wire insulation type is more about convenience as a builder and durability than about making the circuit work where it otherwise wouldn't.

What I would be more concerned about is that the tab on such regulators is usually connected to the output voltage pin inside the IC, so if you attach the IC to the case, you have to use some kind of insulation. If the case is grounded, the amp will fail if the regulator isn't isolated from the case because you'd be tying that voltage to ground, at best causing the regulator output to go to 0. If the case is not grounded, this will energize the case, which is at best a nuisance, and could be a safety issue depending on various factors.

Options: isolated-tab regulators, a nonconductive case (plastic, wood), or TO-220 mica insulation kits.
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