PCB Trace Width Current rating??

Zero Cool · 14th November 2004, 08:26 PM

Is there a standard that determins trace width based on current?

IE, if i have a 2 oz copper board, how do i determin how wide the traces need to be at minimum for a given current rating???

Zero

Tim__x · 14th November 2004, 08:34 PM

http://www.ultracad.com/ipcchart.htm

Pjotr · 14th November 2004, 08:40 PM

Indeed Tim,

Also

http://www.ultracad.com/pcbtemp.pdf

and the free calculator:

http://www.ultracad.com/pcbtemp.zip

Zero Cool · 14th November 2004, 08:47 PM

Thank you!!!

Zero

resolution · 15th November 2004, 06:55 AM

Try this

http://www.geocities.com/suppanz/TraceWidth.xls

gmphadte · 16th November 2004, 05:16 AM

good reading material at
www.elfa.se
The file is fakta.pdf

peranders · 16th November 2004, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zero Cool
Is there a standard that determins trace width based on current?

IE, if i have a 2 oz copper board, how do i determin how wide the traces need to be at minimum for a given current rating???

Zero

If you have a specific problem, let's hear it and I will tell you if it's alright or not.

Zero Cool · 21st November 2004, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the info.

I was trying to determin how wide i needed to make traces for a Power Supply PCB.

If the supply is rated for 70-100Vdc at at least 10 amps, how wide do i need to make the traces with a 2 oz copper PCB???

If i understand the info correctly, a 420mil wide traces will work and have a 10 deg C temp rise.

But, what is allowable for temp rise? what is a standard temp rise number?

Thanks resolution for the XLS chart. that works well.

Zero

Mike Gergen · 21st November 2004, 07:47 PM

Zero Cool
If you are interested send me an email. I have a copy of the PCB engineering handbook that will give you more info then you could possibly use. (NOT)

We're both in the TC's, I can get it to you.
Mike

peranders · 21st November 2004, 07:48 PM

150 mils 1 oz. copper, 20A => the copper gets warm.

100 mils, 2 oz. 10 A is really OK but if you can make it wider do so. You must also consider the short circuit current and how big you fuses are. Can the pcb handle a short circuit?

My recomendation is 150 mils at least but 200-300 mils better if you can.

Max temp is 130-150 deg but the pcb will eventually get brown/black. Strive for max 60-80 degrees C.

14th November 2004, 08:26 PM	#1
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	PCB Trace Width Current rating?? Is there a standard that determins trace width based on current? IE, if i have a 2 oz copper board, how do i determin how wide the traces need to be at minimum for a given current rating??? Zero

21st November 2004, 07:48 PM	#10
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	150 mils 1 oz. copper, 20A => the copper gets warm. 100 mils, 2 oz. 10 A is really OK but if you can make it wider do so. You must also consider the short circuit current and how big you fuses are. Can the pcb handle a short circuit? My recomendation is 150 mils at least but 200-300 mils better if you can. Max temp is 130-150 deg but the pcb will eventually get brown/black. Strive for max 60-80 degrees C. __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me

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14th November 2004, 08:34 PM	#2
Tim__x diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edmonton area, Alberta	http://www.ultracad.com/ipcchart.htm

14th November 2004, 08:40 PM	#3
Pjotr diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Netherlands	Indeed Tim, Also http://www.ultracad.com/pcbtemp.pdf and the free calculator: http://www.ultracad.com/pcbtemp.zip

14th November 2004, 08:47 PM	#4
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	Thank you!!! Zero

15th November 2004, 06:55 AM	#5
resolution diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London	Try this http://www.geocities.com/suppanz/TraceWidth.xls

16th November 2004, 05:16 AM	#6
gmphadte diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Dona paula, Goa	good reading material at www.elfa.se The file is fakta.pdf

21st November 2004, 07:36 PM	#8
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	Thanks for the info. I was trying to determin how wide i needed to make traces for a Power Supply PCB. If the supply is rated for 70-100Vdc at at least 10 amps, how wide do i need to make the traces with a 2 oz copper PCB??? If i understand the info correctly, a 420mil wide traces will work and have a 10 deg C temp rise. But, what is allowable for temp rise? what is a standard temp rise number? Thanks resolution for the XLS chart. that works well. Zero

21st November 2004, 07:47 PM	#9
Mike Gergen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elk River MN	Zero Cool If you are interested send me an email. I have a copy of the PCB engineering handbook that will give you more info then you could possibly use. (NOT) We're both in the TC's, I can get it to you. Mike

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