Trace Width

Just as it's important to have the right component in their proper location, so is having the correct trace width when connecting components. A trace is a line of copper that connects components. If you can imagine traces as being pipes; to get the needed amount of water from point A to point B, you need the pipe to be big enough to carry that amount.

Similarly traces are the same way with electricity. If you want a certain amount of current to flow through, the traces need to be wide enough. Bellow is a chart showing how to find that needed width. First find how much current is being sent. With this information, you will obtain the cross section. Using the cross section, you can get the width. You will also notice that there are multiple lines. To get the correct line, you must look at the density specified by the manufacturer.

Figure A - External Conductors

Figure B - Conductor width to cross-section relationship

Figure B - Conductor width to cross-section relationship

Figure C - Internal Conductors