SNVS774Q May 2004 – June 2020 LM117 , LM317-N
PRODUCTION DATA.
Figure 39 shows for the TO-263 the measured values of RθJA for different copper area sizes using a typical PCB with 1-oz. copper and no solder mask over the copper area used for heatsinking.
As shown in Figure 39, increasing the copper area beyond 1 square inch produces very little improvement. It must also be observed that the minimum value of RθJA for the TO-263 package mounted to a PCB is 32°C/W.
As a design aid, Figure 40 shows the maximum allowable power dissipation compared to ambient temperature for the TO-263 device (assuming RθJA is 35°C/W and the maximum junction temperature is 125°C).