What does "thermal runaway" refer to in electronics?

Thermal runaway is a critical phenomenon in electronics that describes a situation where an increase in temperature leads to further increases in temperature, ultimately resulting in component failure. This usually occurs in scenarios where components, such as transistors or batteries, generate heat while operating, and this heat causes more current to flow, which in turn generates even more heat.

In essence, thermal runaway creates a vicious cycle: as the component heats up, its ability to dissipate heat decreases, causing further temperature rise, which can eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the component. Understanding thermal runaway is crucial for designing reliable electronic systems, as it helps engineers implement safeguards, such as adequate cooling solutions and thermal management strategies, to prevent this dangerous situation from occurring.