Abstract
Analytical thermal models based on average convection heat transfer are frequently used for the design and selection of forced air-cooled plate fin heat sinks. In this paper, a convection heat transfer model within a ±10% margin of error was presented through experimental investigation. Five types of heat sinks with inlet widths of 1.7-6.8 mm were tested at 50-160 W heat sources to derive and verify the model. Causes of error between the experiment and analytical thermal model were analyzed and listed to design the heat sink. Using proposed method and the lists to be considered in the paper, a quick and accurate heat sink design of the power-conversion system is expected.