C4 current Carrying Capacity Calculator

C4 current Carrying Capacity Calculator

Overview

The C4 Current Carrying Capacity Calculator From Black Stick Ltd is a free tool that will allow you to calculate the current carrying capacity of a PCB track given a certain width and thickness. It is primarily reference tool and should not be used where a great deal of accuracy is required.

All the calculations are taken from formulae or tables within the IPC-2222A. The tool will allow you to perform calculations beyond the scope given in the IPC documents but these cannot be verified.

There is also a conductor to conductor voltage calculator, which will tell you a required gap for conductors, given a certain voltage peak (AC or DC).

Another feature is the ability to calculate the Current carrying capacity of a via.

Main Features

Current Calculator

Support for trapezoidal PCB track shapes
Calculate Internal or external tracks

Voltage Calculator

Supports soldermask covered features
Height from 0-3050m and over 3050m

Via Calculator

Supports variable (k) that dictates if the via should be considered internal or external.

Menus

Tools:

The tools menu will allow you to choose between the Current Carrying Capacity Calculator or the Volatge Peak Gap Calculator.

Help:

Under this menu you will find the instructions manual (this one), contact information and, some additional information about the software.

Units

The Units button is global and applies to all dimensions that are in mm or mil (thou).

Copper Track Current Calculator

Layer buttons:

Use these buttons to perform calculations on either an external "un-coated" layer or an internal layer.

Track width at Top:

This value dictates the width of the track at the top and allows for over etching or etching issues. If this is unknown then this value should be the same as the "track width" value.

Track Width:

This should contain the width value of the track whose current capacity you are working out.

Copper Thickness:

This is normally specified in ounces per square foot. The most common ones can found bi clicking th question mark beside the input box.

Temperature rise above ambient:

This value should be provided in °C

When the above values are inserted, pressing the calculate button will inform you of the amperage that that track should carry. Depending if it’s on an outer layer or an inner layer.

Voltage Peak, Gap Calculator

Layer buttons:

Use these buttons to perform calculations on either an external "un-coated" layer, external "coated" layer, or an internal layer.

Volatge Between Conductors:

Enter the voltage "peak" value between the conductor on this box.

Via Current Calculator

K Slider Bar

Use bar to dictate if the via is to be considered as internal copper (k=0.024) or if k should be considered external copper (k=0.048). Any value can be set between these two.

Drill Hole Size

This value should be indicative of the actual drilled hole size.

Minimum Plating

This value should be indicative minimum plating that you expect to see down the barrel of the hole (a good guide is 1 thou).

Temperature rise above ambient:

This value should be provided in °C

When the above values are inserted, pressing the calculate button will inform you of the amperage that that via should carry. Depending if it’s on the value of k.

We are always open to suggestions for improving this software or adding additional features. If you have some constructive input then please email: design@blackstick.co.uk