PCB Trace Skin Effect Resistance
Estimate high-frequency PCB trace resistance with skin depth δ=√(ρ/(πfμ)) and effective conducting perimeter area 2δ(w+t); valid only when skin depth is much smaller than width and thickness.
Description
Estimate high-frequency PCB trace resistance with skin depth δ=√(ρ/(πfμ)) and effective conducting perimeter area 2δ(w+t); valid only when skin depth is much smaller than width and thickness.
PCB Trace Skin Effect Resistance: Estimate high-frequency PCB trace resistance with skin depth δ=√(ρ/(πfμ)) and effective conducting perimeter area 2δ(w+t); valid only when skin depth is much smaller than width and thickness.
When to use PCB Trace Skin Effect Resistance
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.
- Resistivity (Ω·m) (Ω·m)
- Required number input.
- Relative Permeability
- Required number input.
- Frequency (Hz) (Hz)
- Required number input.
- Trace Length (m) (m)
- Required number input.
- Trace Width (m) (m)
- Required number input.
- Trace Thickness (m) (m)
- Required number input.
How PCB Trace Skin Effect Resistance works
Estimate high-frequency PCB trace resistance with skin depth δ=√(ρ/(πfμ)) and effective conducting perimeter area 2δ(w+t); valid only when skin depth is much smaller than width and thickness. 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
- Ac Resistance (Ω) (Ω)
- The resulting ac resistance (ω) returned as a number.
Limitations and assumptions
- PCB trace calculations depend on finished copper thickness, geometry, dielectric stack-up, temperature rise criterion, ambient, neighboring conductors, return path, frequency, surface finish, and fabrication tolerance. IPC equations are approximations, not a substitute for the board fabricator's stack-up or field solving.
- 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.
Alternative or Complementary approaches
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.
References
-
Printed circuit board — Wikipedia contributors
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