heat sink placement

[peter61]

As many of you know I'm having trouble with my ssr(exploding).I have my ssr mounted on top of my heat sink,should the heat sink be on top of the ssr?

[CarWiz]

I'm not sure I follow the question. By top, do you mean the plastic? If so, NO! The heat sink must be in contact with the base. The heat sink should have an orientation to receive cooler ambient air through the fins and be able to discharge the heated air. The best orientation is to mount the unit in a vertical position with venting at the top and bottom of the enclosure. I would not mount any electronics (PID) above the heat sink(s) where it might recieve heated air.

[CarWiz]

Here's a diagram of an enclosure with the heat sinks mounted in the upper portion.

[PhredAre]

Someone that has retrofitted their SSR with a heat sink needs to take a picture of it and post it for Peter, I would post mine but it is a comercially advailable SSR with heat installed and probally would not be of much help. Fred