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Wire Resistance Formula:
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The wire resistance formula calculates the electrical resistance of a conductor based on its material properties and physical dimensions. It provides a fundamental relationship between resistance and the conductor's characteristics.
The calculator uses the resistance formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area, with resistivity as the material-dependent constant.
Details: Accurate resistance calculation is crucial for electrical circuit design, power transmission systems, selecting appropriate wire gauges, and ensuring electrical safety in various applications.
Tips: Enter resistivity in Ω·m, length in meters, and cross-sectional area in square meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is resistivity?
A: Resistivity is an intrinsic property of materials that quantifies how strongly they oppose electric current. Different materials have different resistivity values.
Q2: How does wire thickness affect resistance?
A: Thicker wires (larger cross-sectional area) have lower resistance, allowing more current to flow with less energy loss.
Q3: What are typical resistivity values?
A: Copper: 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: 2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silver: 1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Gold: 2.44×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Q4: Does temperature affect resistance?
A: Yes, for most conductors, resistance increases with temperature due to increased atomic vibrations that impede electron flow.
Q5: When is this formula not applicable?
A: This formula assumes uniform material properties, constant temperature, and DC or low-frequency AC conditions. At high frequencies, skin effect must be considered.