[SI-LIST] Heatsink electrical isolation

Hi all. What considerations should be used when electrically attaching
heatsinks to a net in a PCB?. We have a TO-220 packaged IC and its back is
grounded thus it will make the heatsink be grounded too. The Heatsink has
pins for ensuring mechanical attachment to the PCB. Do these pins also need
to be grounded?.
For now the board is a prototype and one of our concerns is that this
heatsink is about 2 inches high and might get in contact with a probe or a
wire and create a short circuit with it. Should the board be enclosed in a
plastic case in spite of being a prototype?. Is there other alternative for
electrically isolating the heatsink without compromising its heat transfer
benefits?.

Thanks in advance.

-- 
Carlos Toro B
Design Engineer
JAVERIANA STEREO
Calle 18 No. 118-250
Cali, Colombia
South America

Office Phone: +57 2 2725032
Mobile Phone: +57 315 474 5872


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