To assume a TO-3 transistor is higher quality than a TO-2XX equivalent would be an incorrect assumption.
I can see one advantage being better mechanical ruggedness and better thermal dissipation, but they also have their disadvantages such as more difficult mounting, more complex heat sink design, and higher cost.
As for the quality of the magic stuff (what's inside, where it really counts), there's nothing to be said about that. Just like any other transistor, there are fakes and knockoffs, and many varied specifications, no different than any other type.
I can see one advantage being better mechanical ruggedness and better thermal dissipation, but they also have their disadvantages such as more difficult mounting, more complex heat sink design, and higher cost.
As for the quality of the magic stuff (what's inside, where it really counts), there's nothing to be said about that. Just like any other transistor, there are fakes and knockoffs, and many varied specifications, no different than any other type.
I don't know if I would say better. Alot of the earlier TO3 amps are still in use. I have about 20 different old amps with them, and they all work but one.
TO3's are in alot of the vintage amps. later Linear Power (the first few models didn't have TO3's that I know of, early 80's Majestic, , early 80's Coustic , ect.
One thing that I remember about the older Linear powers with the TO-3's is the scream they made when doing a db test. The amps squealed loudly under a heavy note. Only heard this on Linear Power amps. Could have been the TO3's, not sure. Haven't strained one like that in 20yrs. Anyone else remember the earlier TO3 LP's screaming?
TO3's are in alot of the vintage amps. later Linear Power (the first few models didn't have TO3's that I know of, early 80's Majestic, , early 80's Coustic , ect.
One thing that I remember about the older Linear powers with the TO-3's is the scream they made when doing a db test. The amps squealed loudly under a heavy note. Only heard this on Linear Power amps. Could have been the TO3's, not sure. Haven't strained one like that in 20yrs. Anyone else remember the earlier TO3 LP's screaming?
The "screaming" was most likely the loosely wound toroids that LP was famous for. I remember it well also, and on many other brands over the years.
TO-3's have a following mostly based on ten year lifespan testing where they seem to have the advantage. This along with thermal characteristics that seem to have some better advantages in some cases.
Manufacturers have come out with much better packages since then, and the margins between the packages has narrowed greatly over the years. With estimated MTBF being equal if not better with todays newer package designs.
There are a whole host of spec's to be considered, even the differences between a Aluminum case or a steel case TO-3 seem to hint at different quality standards, and lifespans. But there are so many variables to be considered, one would also remember that all these tech spec's are also in the hands of Sales Engineers also before we get them as end users.
Do I like them ? There OK, They pose different service related issues, mostly time consuming
TO-3's have a following mostly based on ten year lifespan testing where they seem to have the advantage. This along with thermal characteristics that seem to have some better advantages in some cases.
Manufacturers have come out with much better packages since then, and the margins between the packages has narrowed greatly over the years. With estimated MTBF being equal if not better with todays newer package designs.
There are a whole host of spec's to be considered, even the differences between a Aluminum case or a steel case TO-3 seem to hint at different quality standards, and lifespans. But there are so many variables to be considered, one would also remember that all these tech spec's are also in the hands of Sales Engineers also before we get them as end users.
Do I like them ? There OK, They pose different service related issues, mostly time consuming
TO-3 case offers THERMAL AND MECHANICAL advantages.
Ease of heat transfer/dissipation from the transistor to heatsink
I have seen plastic devices going into smoke at 90degC, but never seen a metal case device failure even at 120degC. Metal case offers much more thermal stability than plastic case devices.
If the ambient temperature is more than normal, TO-3 case devices always offer an edge over plastic devices.
Ease of heat transfer/dissipation from the transistor to heatsink
I have seen plastic devices going into smoke at 90degC, but never seen a metal case device failure even at 120degC. Metal case offers much more thermal stability than plastic case devices.
If the ambient temperature is more than normal, TO-3 case devices always offer an edge over plastic devices.
It's way easier to mount a big TO-264 and you get nearly the same performance and power handling.
TO-3 may be a bit rated higher, but with all the BS you go through mounting them, it's not much of a gain. Now if you have a GOOD TO-3 heatsink, that's different.
BUT IMO, TO-3 is still the toughest transistor. I've killed very few of them. I used to collect any high powered ones I'd find.
If you have a large heatsink with a THICK base, TO-264 is the way to go. Also, it's EASY to parallel TO-264, which works even better with the heatsink.
You can't mount a typical TO-3 with a thick base heatsink because of the B-E leads. Thermal flow in the heatsink is also way better when the base is thick, so the sink isn't just hot around the transistor. With a few flat pack TO264 devices, and a good thick heatsink, I can get better performance than with TO-3s. I can also fit more transistors on to one heatsink with the flat pack devices.
I just use my TO-3's as overkill transistors in low power stuff, so I don't have to use heatsinking. And running only 1A or so in a 20A device won't hurt
TO-3 may be a bit rated higher, but with all the BS you go through mounting them, it's not much of a gain. Now if you have a GOOD TO-3 heatsink, that's different.
BUT IMO, TO-3 is still the toughest transistor. I've killed very few of them. I used to collect any high powered ones I'd find.
If you have a large heatsink with a THICK base, TO-264 is the way to go. Also, it's EASY to parallel TO-264, which works even better with the heatsink.
You can't mount a typical TO-3 with a thick base heatsink because of the B-E leads. Thermal flow in the heatsink is also way better when the base is thick, so the sink isn't just hot around the transistor. With a few flat pack TO264 devices, and a good thick heatsink, I can get better performance than with TO-3s. I can also fit more transistors on to one heatsink with the flat pack devices.
I just use my TO-3's as overkill transistors in low power stuff, so I don't have to use heatsinking. And running only 1A or so in a 20A device won't hurt
Ease of heat transfer/dissipation from the transistor to heatsink
Transistor -> goo/insulator-> heatsink
This is good
Car amps may do this.
Transistor -> goo/insulator -> thin metal bracket -> goo -> heatsink
not very good.
When the design is not executed well, the transistor case
is not the problem area.
Then you have a second variable. The amplifier design as a whole.
Transistor -> goo/insulator-> heatsink
This is good
Car amps may do this.
Transistor -> goo/insulator -> thin metal bracket -> goo -> heatsink
not very good.
When the design is not executed well, the transistor case
is not the problem area.
Then you have a second variable. The amplifier design as a whole.
Brackets really hurt thermal conduction. Heat doesn't go through the thin metal good enough. I've seen that done so many times with mostly TO-3, but others too. The bracket and transistors get hot first, before the sink gets warm 
I agree with you, mounting directly to a thick metal heatsink is the best way.
Why don't they just make a flat-metal transistor with 3 leads coming out the top??? Like TO-3, but rectangle, and the leads in a much better place.
I agree with you, mounting directly to a thick metal heatsink is the best way.
Why don't they just make a flat-metal transistor with 3 leads coming out the top??? Like TO-3, but rectangle, and the leads in a much better place.
I have used 330 W rated TO220 and my opinion here is the if the transistor is going to dissipate much power you must be careful with the mounting technique. How many TO3 are out with 330 W rating? One way to get good mounting is to use springs, not screws.
Workhorse, a blow transistor at 90 deg C, the working conditions wasn't perfect. Maybe mounted in the wrong way.
Workhorse, a blow transistor at 90 deg C, the working conditions wasn't perfect. Maybe mounted in the wrong way.
It would be nice if transistors came in more colors. Like different colors for different grades or something. Or just because it looks cool. Capacitors come in many colors, it would be nice if plastic transistors were the same way.
I use to see green every so often, but not anymore. Most are black.
I use to see green every so often, but not anymore. Most are black.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.