Cooling Method
What type of cooling method for my power supply?
There are three main methods power supplies use to dispel excess heat:
- Convection
- Forced Air
- Conduction
Sophisticated power supplies can blend two or more of the above methods to create a hybrid cooling system.
Convection
A convention power supply requires no fan cooling. But, where system designers often misunderstand convection cooling is assuming that without the need for a fan, there is no need for airflow to operate the component.
Convection cooling works on the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of hot air. As hot air rises, cool air is drawn from the sides of the component, providing the cooling required for operation.
It is therefore important to ensure that there is adequate space for air to be down from the sides and system designers developing compact systems should keep mindful of the airflow clearance when selecting convection cooled power supplies.
