PCB Trace width calculator: Average current vs RMS current

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david.cano90

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Hello everyone,

I would like to calculate the trace width of a net, but I am not sure what value should I give in this calculator: https://www.4pcb.com/trace-width-calculator.html.
Should I give the current RMS value or its average value?

As always, thank you for reading.

Best regards,

David.
 

Hi ,

The basic problem is:
The current will cause heat, too much heat will melt the trace.

Now Imagine:
There is purely AC current. Do you expect it to cause heat?

If your answer is: Yes, then you already know that "average current" is not the correct value, because it is zero.
(With AC all negative values cancel out the positive values, thus the average current is zero)

Klaus
 

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