The skin depth calculator helps determine the thickness at which electric current is limited in a conductor based on its frequency, resistivity and permeability. This tool is useful for engineers and technicians working on RF conductors and high frequency components.
Formula used
δ = √(ρ / (π × f × μ₀ × μr))
Or :
δ = skin depth (meters)
ρ = resistivity of the material (Ω·m)
f = signal frequency (Hz)
μ₀ = vacuum permeability (4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m)
μr = relative permeability of the material
Explanation
Skin depth indicates how far current flows efficiently in a conductor. The higher the frequency, the more the skin depth decreases. Materials with lower resistivity or greater relative permeability also reduce skin depth. This formula is essential for designing high-frequency conductors and circuits.
Calculation example
For a copper conductor with:
ρ = 1.678 μΩ·cm (converted to Ω·m = 1.678 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m), μr = 0.999991, f = 1 GHz:
δ = √(1.678 × 10⁻⁸ / (π × 1×10⁹ × 4π×10⁻⁷ × 0.999991)) ≈ 2.1 μm
Benefits and Use
- Allows you to quickly calculate skin depth for different materials and frequencies.
- Helps size conductors and optimize RF performance.
- Useful for the design of cables, printed circuits and high frequency components.
- Facilitates the comparison between materials and the choice of the appropriate conductor.