Electrical Skin Depth Calculator
Here's a comprehensive table summarizing all you need to know about electrical skin depth:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition | The depth at which current density decreases to 1/e (≈37%) of its value at the conductor's surface16 |
| Formula | δ = √(ρ / (π * f * μ₀ * μᵣ))13 |
| Symbol | δ (delta)1 |
| Units | Meters (m) or derived units (mm, μm, etc.)1 |
| Key Factors | Frequency (f), Resistivity (ρ), Relative permeability (μᵣ)13 |
| Frequency Dependence | Inversely proportional to square root of frequency1 |
| Material Dependence | Depends on resistivity and relative permeability of conductor1 |
| Significance | Determines effective cross-sectional area for current flow5 |
| Applications | RF circuits, transmission lines, antennas, power transmission4 |
| Effect on Resistance | Increases effective AC resistance as frequency increases5 |
| Mitigation Techniques | Use of hollow conductors, Litz wire, thin foils, parallel conductors56 |
| Typical Values | Copper at 60 Hz: ~8.5 mm; at 2.4 GHz: ~1.3 μm13 |
| Calculation Tools | Online calculators available134 |
| Importance in Design | Critical for high-frequency and high-current applications45 |
| Historical Note | Concept formalized in 1933 by Humphreys Milliken6 |
This table provides a concise overview of electrical skin depth, covering its definition, calculation, significance, and practical implications in electrical engineering and design.