FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £50 IN THE UK & EU
FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £50 IN THE UK & EU
FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £50 IN THE UK & EU
FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £50 IN THE UK & EU
Yes. If you’re installing any high-power, solid-state component that mounts to a heatsink or metal chassis, applying thermal grease is essential. Without it, heat cannot transfer efficiently from the semiconductor to the heatsink, leading to higher operating temperatures, reduced performance, shorter component life, and even premature failure.
For United Automation products, the use of TM-500 Thermal Grease is mandatory wherever specified. Failure to apply the correct thermal interface compound during installation can lead to overheating and may invalidate the product warranty.
Thermal grease (also known as heatsink paste, thermal compound, or thermal interface material (TIM)) is a heat-conductive compound applied between a power semiconductor and its heatsink.
Although machined metal surfaces appear smooth, under a microscope they contain countless tiny air gaps. Air is a very poor conductor of heat, creating thermal resistance between the device and the heatsink.
TM-500 Thermal Grease fills these microscopic imperfections, creating an efficient thermal path that allows heat to flow away from the semiconductor.
High-power electronic devices convert electrical energy into heat during operation. Unless this heat is transferred efficiently into a heatsink, the internal semiconductor junction temperature rises rapidly.
Understanding why thermal grease is essential is straightforward:
Devices such as:
all dissipate power whenever current flows.
The higher the load current, the more heat they produce.
Every semiconductor has a maximum safe junction temperature.
If this temperature is exceeded:
Even precision-machined aluminium heatsinks contain microscopic peaks and valleys.
Without thermal grease, these tiny voids trap insulating air.
Air transfers heat approximately 1,000 times less effectively than aluminium.
These trapped air pockets create thermal resistance.
Applying a thin layer of United Automation TM-500 Thermal Grease replaces trapped air with a highly conductive interface material.
The result is:
Once heat reaches the heatsink efficiently, it is safely dissipated into the surrounding air through natural or forced convection.
Without thermal grease, even the largest heatsink cannot perform effectively.
United Automation specifies TM-500 Thermal Grease for all applicable products because it provides consistent thermal conductivity and reliable long-term performance.
Using the correct thermal interface material helps ensure:
Important: Where specified by United Automation, TM-500 Thermal Grease must be applied during installation to maintain product performance and warranty coverage. Always follow the installation instructions supplied with the product.
The following United Automation product ranges rely on proper thermal coupling to a heatsink or metal chassis.
These open-frame power controllers continuously switch high currents and depend entirely on external heatsinks for cooling.
Applicable ranges include:
AC Voltage Regulators | Industrial AC Power Control Solutions – United Automation Ltd
These products should always be installed using TM-500 Thermal Grease between the device and heatsink.
Commercial catering equipment operates for extended periods at high temperatures.
Products include:
These controllers are widely used in:
The rear-mounted semiconductor must be securely fastened to a metal mounting plate using TM-500 Thermal Grease.
Proper solid-state relay cooling is critical.
Applicable products include:
Solid State Relays | Fast and Reliable Power Switching – United Automation Ltd
United Automation KA100 heatsinks are supplied with a syringe of TM-500 Thermal Grease, ensuring correct installation and optimal heat transfer.
These products often control heavy inductive or DC loads and generate significant heat.
Applicable ranges include:
Soft Start Controllers | United Automation
DC Motor Controllers | Precise Industrial Motor Control – United Automation Ltd
Correct application of thermal grease helps protect these controllers from excessive operating temperatures.
Industrial semiconductor modules require excellent thermal management.
Products include:
These devices bolt directly onto cooling plates and must always be installed with thermal compound.
Installing power semiconductors without thermal grease can lead to:
Even a high-quality heatsink cannot compensate for poor thermal contact.
To achieve the best thermal performance:
With over 60 years of British engineering expertise, United Automation designs reliable industrial power control solutions for demanding applications.
Our products are used worldwide across:
Using TM-500 Thermal Grease as specified helps ensure these products deliver maximum reliability, efficiency, and service life.
If you’re asking, “Do I really need heatsink paste for any high-power, solid-state component that mounts to a heatsink?”, the answer is unequivocally yes.
Thermal grease is not an optional extra—it is a critical part of the thermal management system. By filling microscopic air gaps between the semiconductor and the heatsink, United Automation TM-500 Thermal Grease enables efficient heat dissipation, protects valuable power electronics, and helps maintain product warranties.
Whether you’re installing a thermal grease voltage regulator, solid-state relay, quartz lamp controller, thyristor module, or phase-angle regulator, applying the correct thermal compound is essential for long-term, reliable operation.
Learn more about our power control products and thermal management solutions:
Yes. A solid-state relay mounted to a heatsink requires thermal grease to transfer heat efficiently and prevent overheating.
Without thermal grease, air gaps increase thermal resistance, causing higher operating temperatures, reduced reliability, and possible component failure.
Products including PSR, TPSR, PAC, QVR, QLC, LN Series SSRs, SSC controllers, DCM motor controllers, and SCR/thyristor modules require TM-500 when mounted to a heatsink or chassis.
Yes. Where specified in the installation instructions, TM-500 Thermal Grease must be applied correctly to maintain product performance and warranty coverage.
Whether you need our proven standard products or a custom control system, United Automation delivers robust and reliable engineering solutions tailored to your industry.
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