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Copper Wire Resistance Formula:
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Copper wire resistance refers to the opposition that copper conductors present to the flow of electric current. It depends on the material's resistivity, length, and cross-sectional area of the wire.
The calculator uses the fundamental resistance formula:
Where:
Explanation: The resistance increases with length and decreases with cross-sectional area, following the material's inherent resistivity property.
Details: Accurate resistance calculation is crucial for electrical system design, voltage drop analysis, power loss estimation, and proper wire sizing for safe and efficient electrical installations.
Tips: Enter length in meters, cross-sectional area in square meters, and resistivity in ohm-meters. For copper, the default resistivity is 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m. All values must be positive.
Q1: Why is copper commonly used in electrical wiring?
A: Copper has low resistivity (1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m), excellent conductivity, good mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for electrical applications.
Q2: How does temperature affect copper resistance?
A: Copper resistance increases with temperature. The temperature coefficient for copper is approximately 0.00393 per °C at 20°C.
Q3: What is the typical resistivity of copper?
A: Pure copper at 20°C has a resistivity of 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m. This value may vary slightly with purity and manufacturing process.
Q4: How do I calculate cross-sectional area for round wires?
A: For round wires, use \( A = \pi r^2 \) or \( A = \pi (d/2)^2 \) where r is radius and d is diameter.
Q5: What are practical applications of this calculation?
A: Used in electrical engineering for circuit design, power transmission planning, motor winding design, and determining voltage drop in long cable runs.