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
