By default, it is 1-inch for standard PCBs. Enter the trace length (It is the length of the trace/conductor running on the PCB).First, we will select the layer (internal/external) for which we are doing the calculations. We now take you through some examples to make you understand how our tool works. This trace width calculator also calculates additional parameters such as resistance of the trace at ambient temperature, the resistance of trace at high temperature (T a + ΔT), maximum voltage drop, and maximum power loss for a given trace length. The other parameters required by this tool are ambient temperature (T a) and trace length (L). Why should you choose this trace width calculator?Įssentially there are four main parameters to be considered while designing traces on a PCB:Īs mentioned previously, if the I max and ΔT are known then the trace width can be calculated for both internal and external layer traces. The input field has a feature where the user can use the desired units, which provides flexibility.The units for length can be chosen as inches, mils, micrometers, millimeters, centimeters, or meters.The units of temperature can be selected as degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Our trace width tool also lets you switch between different units as per your convenience. The trace length and ambient temperature input fields on the calculator are used to enter the trace length and ambient temperature, respectively. However, these can be changed as required. The default parameters of this tool are trace length and the ambient temperature, which are kept at values of 1-inch and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively. The surprising thing that has come from this standard is that the internal traces are also capable of carrying higher currents close to those of the external traces. Our tool is developed based on such formulas. It gives the results in graphical format, and the basic idea was to study those graphs and put them into some curve fitting formulas for better understanding. The IPC 2152 talks about how the temperature rises in various internal and external PCB traces as a result of current being passed through them. Yes, The Sierra Circuits trace width calculator is based on the latest IPC-2152 standard! This is the only tool that gives you this advantage, and it is also based on the latest IPC-2152 standard. You can alter any of these two parameters to find out the third one for a given trace thickness. Our trace width calculator tool not only gives you the trace width but also the amount of trace current and the temperature rise. If trace width is not sufficient, then the trace may burn out, impacting the PCB functionality. Hence, we need to know how much trace width is enough to carry that high current. Using the Trace Width, Current and Temp Rise Calculator What can you expect from The Sierra Circuits Trace Width Calculator?įor high-current PCBs, the trace width calculation is critical. In addition, it also calculates the DC resistance and the voltage drop across the trace of a given length. Of the three parameters – trace width, maximum allowed temperature rise above the ambient and maximum current capacity of the trace – if any two are known, the tool calculates the third.