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Wire Resistance Formula:
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Wire resistance is the opposition to electric current flow in a conductor. It depends on the material's resistivity, the length of the wire, and its cross-sectional area. Understanding wire resistance is crucial for designing electrical circuits and selecting appropriate wiring.
The calculator uses the resistance formula:
Where:
Explanation: Resistance increases with longer wires and higher resistivity materials, but decreases with larger cross-sectional areas.
Details: Accurate resistance calculation is essential for designing electrical systems, preventing voltage drops, ensuring proper current flow, and selecting appropriate wire gauges for different applications.
Tips: Enter resistivity in Ω·m, length in meters, and cross-sectional area in m². All values must be positive numbers. Common resistivity values: Copper = 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum = 2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Q1: What factors affect wire resistance?
A: Resistance is affected by the material (resistivity), length, cross-sectional area, and temperature of the wire.
Q2: How does temperature affect resistance?
A: For most conductors, resistance increases with temperature due to increased atomic vibrations that impede electron flow.
Q3: What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?
A: Resistivity is an intrinsic property of the material, while resistance depends on both the material and the physical dimensions of the conductor.
Q4: Why is copper commonly used in electrical wiring?
A: Copper has low resistivity, good mechanical properties, and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for electrical applications.
Q5: How do I calculate cross-sectional area for different wire shapes?
A: For circular wires: A = πr² where r is the radius. For rectangular wires: A = width × height.