Power · resistance · capacitance · time
Single-RC thermal step
Inputs
User-entered constant heat-generation step; time-varying loads and duty cycles are not modeled.
User-entered scalar thermal resistance for one ideal path; no hardware or path is derived or selected.
User-entered scalar thermal capacitance for the same one ideal node; mass, material, and geometry are not derived.
User-entered constant reference temperature for this ideal step-response relation.
User-entered elapsed time after the stated constant power step; must be zero or greater.
Results
Literal thermal time constant
100
Literal ideal temperature rise at elapsed time
25.285
Literal ideal node temperature
50.285
Literal ideal steady-state temperature rise
40
τ = R·C; ΔT(t) = P·R·(1 − e^(−t/τ)); Tnode = Tamb + ΔT(t)
A first-pass number, not a code check, certification, or approval. Read the method and its limits below. What this is and is not.
Nearby: Sensible heat · Heat-exchanger ΔTlm · Plane-wall conduction · Thermal radiation exchange
Method
Formula, when it applies, and when it does not
Apply a constant power step to one ideal thermal RC node and report temperature rise and node temperature without selecting cooling hardware.
τ = R·C; ΔT(t) = P·R·(1 − e^(−t/τ)); Tnode = Tamb + ΔT(t)
When
- Single thermal resistance and capacitance
- One ideal RC thermal node
Don’t
- This applies a user-declared constant power step to one ideal thermal RC node. It does not derive resistance or capacitance; determine thermal paths; select a heat sink, TIM, fan, or cooler; model multi-node conduction, convection, radiation, variable power, spatial temperature, material properties, junction limits, capacity, safety, suitability, or approval.