A
Andrew
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
How much current can different copper weight PCBs handle? Not so much
in terms of how much can traces handle, but a PCB in general. I'm
talking strictly DC current, relatively low voltage (+24VDC).
If traces are more or less avoided and copper pours are used for the
high current nets, what would be a rough estimate of the maximum
current that could be run through 1/2 oz. PCB? How about 1oz. or 2oz.?
I'm really just curious because one of the things I am thinking of
designing in the future is a motor driver, where the current could
reach 15A + continuous and could easily spike to 100A or more, in some
cases. I know there are motor driver pcbs out there now that are very
small size and can handle these types of current outputs, but I'm not
sure what guidelines are used to determine what is needed (even copper
pour area size) for high current in terms of a PCB.
I am just a newbie, but when I hear about 20 to 30 amps being passed
through a PCB, I get nervous... even if there was an entire plane
dedicated to the high current power and ground. Am I worried for no
reason? Can an entire plane of, say, 1/2 oz. weight, board size, say,
9sqin or how about 25sqin handle 15-20 amps continuous (or at least for
a minute or two)? How about a copper pour area of 1/2oz. that is sized
at about 1sqin? Could that handle this type of current?
Any info on high current PCB design or any general high current design
notes would be greatly appreciated, or any pointers to where I could
get further information or maybe even calculations for amount of copper
needed to safely run certain current levels.
in terms of how much can traces handle, but a PCB in general. I'm
talking strictly DC current, relatively low voltage (+24VDC).
If traces are more or less avoided and copper pours are used for the
high current nets, what would be a rough estimate of the maximum
current that could be run through 1/2 oz. PCB? How about 1oz. or 2oz.?
I'm really just curious because one of the things I am thinking of
designing in the future is a motor driver, where the current could
reach 15A + continuous and could easily spike to 100A or more, in some
cases. I know there are motor driver pcbs out there now that are very
small size and can handle these types of current outputs, but I'm not
sure what guidelines are used to determine what is needed (even copper
pour area size) for high current in terms of a PCB.
I am just a newbie, but when I hear about 20 to 30 amps being passed
through a PCB, I get nervous... even if there was an entire plane
dedicated to the high current power and ground. Am I worried for no
reason? Can an entire plane of, say, 1/2 oz. weight, board size, say,
9sqin or how about 25sqin handle 15-20 amps continuous (or at least for
a minute or two)? How about a copper pour area of 1/2oz. that is sized
at about 1sqin? Could that handle this type of current?
Any info on high current PCB design or any general high current design
notes would be greatly appreciated, or any pointers to where I could
get further information or maybe even calculations for amount of copper
needed to safely run certain current levels.