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PCB Trace Width Calculator

Use Utmel's PCB Trace Width calculator to calculate the required trace width for a specified current.

PCB Trace Width Calculator

Current
A
Thickness
Temperature Rise
Ambient Temperature
Trace Length

Formula

This PCB Trace Width calculator uses formulas from IPC-2221.

Minimum Trace Width

Internal Layers

Required Trace Width
=
Resistance
=Ω
Voltage Drop
=V
Power Loss
=W

Minimum Trace Width

External Layers in Air

Required Trace Width
=
Resistance
=Ω
Voltage Drop
=V
Power Loss
=W
Introduction

This video introduces you Pcb Trace Width & Clearance Calculator Online.

Pcb Trace Width & Clearance Calculator Online

What is a PCBs Trace Width Calculator?

A PCB trace width calculator is a device that uses IPC 2221 formulas to calculate PCB trace width. When designing your circuit board, the trace width is an important consideration. In reality, you should give shreds the proper width to protect them from damage caused by high temperatures.

This method calculates the thickness of a copper printed circuit board trace needed to perform a given current using the formulas and graphs in the standard document while keeping the trace's temperature increase below the prescribed input value. It is possible to measure the trace total temperature, resistance, voltage drop, and power dissipation by providing additional input parameters (ambient temperature and trace length) (power loss).

It's worth noting that the trace width changes as the temperature rises. The temperature increase relates to the difference in temperature between conducting current and not conducting current. To put it another way, to calculate the temperature increase, simply deduct the operating temperature from the upper operating temperature.

How to calculate PCB trace width?

The trace width is calculated as follows:

First, the Area is calculated:

Area[mils^2] = (Current[Amps]/(k*(Temp_Rise[deg. C])^b))^(1/c)

Then, the Width is calculated:

Width[mils] = Area[mils^2]/(Thickness[oz]*1.378[mils/oz])

For IPC-2221 internal layers: k = 0.024, b = 0.44, c = 0.725

For IPC-2221 external layers: k = 0.048, b = 0.44, c = 0.725

where k, b, and c are constants resulting from curve fitting to the IPC-2221 curves

Frequently Asked Questions

1.How much current can a PCB trace carry?

According to MIL-STD-275, we are told that the maximum current a 50mil-trace can stand is 2.6amps. Nevertheless, the table above has been gradually replaced by IPC-2221 Generic Standard on Printed Board Design as a reference based on which a printed circuit board is accurately designed.

2.What is trace thickness in PCB?

The commonly used PCB trace thickness include PCB trace thicknesses ranging from 0.008 inches to 0.240 inches and they include 0.2 mm (0.0079 inch), 0.4 mm (0.016 inch), 0.5 mm (0.020 inch), 0.6 mm (0.024 inch), 0.8 mm (0.032 inch), 1.0 mm (0.04 inch), 1.2 mm (0.047 inch), 1.5 mm (0.062 inch), 1.6 mm (0.063 inch)...

3.What is a PCB trace?

In electronics, a signal trace on a printed circuit board (PCB) is the equivalent of a wire for conducting signals. Each trace consists of a flat, narrow part of the copper foil that remains after etching.

4.What is PCB width?

The typical PCB thickness is 0.063inches or 1.57mm; it is a standardized level defined from the past.

5.How thick is a 2 layer PCB?

The thickness can be specified from 0.2mm to 6.3mm in hundredths of a millimeter increments. Yes, we can make 2 layer PCBs as thin as 0.2mm! Some PCB Stack Ups and layer-counts will have higher minimal thicknesses due to additional material needed to manufacture the Stack Up.

6.How wide should PCB traces be?

50 to 200 mils For power traces, a good rule of thumb is to calculate them at twice their expected maximum current. This will usually put them at 50 to 200 mils in DC circuitry, and anything larger than that should be run through a power plane.

7.How much current can a PCB trace carry?

According to MIL-STD-275, we are told that the maximum current a 50mil-trace can stand is 2.6amps. Nevertheless, the table above has been gradually replaced by IPC-2221 Generic Standard on Printed Board Design as a reference based on which a printed circuit board is accurately designed.

8.How thick is a 4 layer PCB?

We process four layer PCB boards with final thickness of 0.020", 0.031", 0.040", 0.047", 0.062", 0.093" and 0.125". You may select ½, 1 or 2 ounce inner layer copper foil for your printed circuit board. While our 4, 6, and 8 layer PCBs are limited to 16X22 inches the 10 layer maximum size is 14x20.

9.What are PCB layers?

A PCB is defined as a number of copper layers in a well defined sequence. Copper layers of a PCB are usually just named layers or also called SIGNAL layer. However, to define the complete PCB, other layers are required. They are usually named by their functionality and position.

10.What is 2 layer PCB?

2 layers PCB has more layers than a 1 layer PCB but fewer than a multilayer PCB. 2 layers PCB can mount conductive copper and components on both sides of the printed circuit board so that the traces can cross over each other. So it leads to a higher density of boards without the need of point-to-point soldering.
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