Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Sense current (A)

Required number input.

Shunt resistance (mΩ)

Required number input.

Compute the power dissipated by a current-sense shunt as P(mW) = I^2(A) x Rshunt(mOhm). The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

Shunt power (mW)

The resulting shunt power returned as a number.

• Compact electronics formulas omit some combination of tolerances, temperature drift, bandwidth, loading, parasitics, noise spectrum, nonlinearity, clipping, calibration, layout, and device-specific limits. Typical datasheet values are not guaranteed limits.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

• Sense Voltage

  Compute the differential voltage developed across a current-sense shunt as Vsense(mV) = I(A) x Rshunt(mOhm).

• LED Power Dissipation

  Compute the power dissipated by an LED from its forward voltage and current.

• Wire Power Loss

  Compute the ohmic power dissipated in a round-trip wire run at a given current.