Re: PC current? (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: List moderator <mod1@xxxxxxxxxx>



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:17:57 -0800
From: Barton B. Anderson <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: PC current? (fwd)

Hi Steve,

There a lot of pcb trace width calculators on the internet. Here are a 
couple:

http://circuitcalculator.com/wordpress/2006/01/31/pcb-trace-width-calculator/

http://www.desmith.com/NMdS/Electronics/TraceWidth.html

The board influence? Much depends on the circuit, application, 
frequency, voltage, and current. Most boards are simple 2 layer boards 
(top and bottom) and these calculators are fine for the basic 
applications like relay boards or say CMOS logic and solid state 
drivers, etc. If there are to be internal layers, things change. The 
trace has no means of heat dissipation and thus must carry far less 
current than external traces. Actually, there are a lot of issues with 
traces as far as capacitance between traces, how you lay them out to 
minimize these affects, for RF applications, for high voltage 
applications, etc. There are also code regulations regarding pcb's in 
particular applications. Far to much to list and takes a great deal of 
study to get a handle on it all. Most of us only really understand those 
particular applications which we have had experience with.

There are a lot of publications and papers on the internet for whatever 
application you have in mind.

As far as a low priced low quantity board, good luck. Their all way over 
priced. Keep the board as small as humanly possible to reduce cost. 
Also, standard 1oz or 2oz copper clad is cheaper than moving up to 3oz, 
etc. Advanced Circuits is probably the best our there as far as price 
for proto boards and turn around.

http://www.4pcb.com/index.htm

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

>Original poster: List moderator <mod1@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 12:11:10 EST
>From: StephenTetorka@xxxxxx
>To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: PC current?
>
>Hi all:
>
>Given the 'standard' PC board construction:
>
>1.  how does one calculate the max current a trace will handle?...I'd 
>guess..equiv. to round dia?...but don't know about the board influence.
>2.  what is max RF voltage -  2 to 30 Mc - it can see?
>3.  who makes/sells low priced low quantity PC boards?
>
>Tnx,
>Steve
>email  stephentetorka@xxxxxx
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>