WIRE PARAMETER CALCULATOR

This calculator uses rule of thumb data which will be more than accurate enough in most cases. It must however, be used with intelligence.

Calculations are for an un-insulated solid copper wire in free air at 25°C.

Parameters marked with a * are required. Others are optional.

 

Wire diameter	thou mm	*Enter the wire diameter in your preferred units
Wire length	inch mm	Used to calculate resistance, voltage drop and power
Operating current	A	DC or RMS operating current - used to calculate voltage drop and power (<30A)
Frequency	kHz	Signal frequency - leave at 0 for DC

 

Cross sectional area	sq. thou sq. mm	Cross sectional area of the wire
Ampacity	A	Current carrying capacity at DC
Fusing current	A	Fusing current at DC
Skin depth	thou µm	Skin depth at selected frequency - assumes copper wire
Skin ratio	%	Percentage of cross sectional area used at selected frequency
Resistance	ohms	Resistance of wire at selected frequency
Voltage drop	mV	Voltage drop along wire at selected frequency
Power dissipated	W	Power dissipated in wire at selected frequency