surface or cross section

[theChris]

As far as where current flows, I've heard the following conflicting views:
1.) DC travels throught the cross section of a wire with uniform charge (or current?) density.
2.) AC travels closer to the surface, depending on freqency.
3.) Static charge sits on the surface.
and then:
4.) AC and DC travel on the surface ONLY, thus making the only important aspect of a wire the surface area, cross sectional area is not important.

the first 3 are from physics, the last is from an EE. I feel the first 3 make sense, where the 4th doesn't

[planet10]

According to Malcolm Hawksford an AC signal doesn't travel in the wire at all, but in the field above the surface of the wire.

dave

[fdegrove]

Guys,

Just form the top of my head:

From what I concluded from Dr.Macolm Hawksford studies the ideal diameter for an interconnect would be 0.6mm,ideal dielectric would be air.
More metal would increase skineffect.
It is however a complex matter but the proposed cross section seems to corelate perfectly with experiments carried out in listening tests.
For sonic bliss other factors such as cable capacitance play an important role,Dc resistance too etc.
In a word it is a bees' nest.
FWIW,in my designs I go for low dc resistance and low capacitance/m.
If higher currents need to pass unimpeded I suggest bundling a number of the same cross section wires.
I always use solid core wire.Always!
Other factors are geometry,shielding,solder composition etc.
So far it seems to pay off.

What Dave suggests,I've read that somewhere as well but I'm a bit err... resisting on that theory.

Best regards,

[dhaen]

According to my practical experience over the years, a and b are both true.
I'm sure this is not the whole story, but the theory explains all effects I have observed.