My main power traces will be carrying a maximum of 20 amps it is the ground return that must carry the full load. We are trying to avoid a large ground plane. >>> [log in to unmask] 01/04/02 11:38AM >>> In the August 1997 issue of Printed Circuit Design there was a Designer's Viewpoint column that had a conversion chart for finished trace widths to standard wire gauges. It has copper weights of 1/2, 1, and 2oz related to AWG ratings ranging from #39 down to #10. For instance, to get the equivalent of AWG #10 in a 2oz non plated trace, it must be 0.472429" wide, for a plated trace, 0.344745". It also gives the resistance/inch for 20, 50 and 75 degrees celcius. It doesn't give current carrying capability, but you can usually get current ratings of AWG wires. Do you have to do 80A all in one trace? Can you run some wires in parallel with the trace on the board? -----Original Message----- From: Shannon Stutzman [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: January 4, 2002 11:01 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Copper Hello everyone; I am looking for a chart or an equation that will allow me to find the copper thickness needed in relation to current. I have the chart that is given by IPC but this chart dose not give current ranges or copper thicknesses high enough for my application. I need to how thick of copper to use for 80 amps and what the minimum trace width that can be used. If any of you have any information on this I would appreciate it. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL To recieve ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL To recieve ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL To recieve ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------