Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/860275
52 The PCB Design Magazine • August 2017 For some months now, my colleague Alistair Little has been taking a close look at resins and their role in circuit protection across an array of applications. He now hands the reins over to me, and in this, the first of what I hope will be a series of informative columns, I am going to focus on the all-important subject of thermal management. First, though, let me introduce myself. I've worked for Electrolube for 14 years now, starting as a development chemist, then as the research & development Manager working with the product development team. In 2011, I moved into a more commercial role, working alongside the sales team to help with technical enquiries and product application queries. Last year, I was appointed manager of Electrolube's Ashby-based technical support team, working alongside sales, marketing and the R&D teams to provide more in-depth product support for both existing and new customers. Thermal management—the science and the products—is my specialty, so let's start this se- ries of columns (as Alistair did for his series on resins) with a five-point guide based on some typical questions that our technical support team fields every day on the phone, at exhibi- tions and when visiting customers. Why use thermal management materials? During use, some electronic components can generate significant amounts of heat. Fail- ure to effectively dissipate this heat away from the component and the equipment in which it is installed can compromise reliability and reduce operational life. Thermal management materials are designed to prolong equipment life and reduce incidences of failure. They also maintain equipment performance parameters and reduce energy consumption by reducing operating temperatures, and minimising the risk of damage to surrounding components. by Jade Bridges ELECTROLUBE Thermal Management: The Heat is On SENSIBLE DESIGN