RF & AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) & Effective Resistance Calculator

Find high-frequency current penetration depth δ = √(ρ / π·f·μ).

AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ)
17.7 μm
Skin Depth in Mils 0.7 mils
Sheet Resistance per Square 0.95 mΩ/sq
5× Skin Depth (99.3% Current) 88.52 μm
Inputs
MHz
Operating AC or RF frequency in Megahertz (MHz).
nΩ·m
Conductor bulk resistivity in nΩ·m (16.78 copper, 26.5 aluminum).
μ_r
Conductor relative permeability μ_r.
Results & Graph
AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ)
17.7 μm
Skin Depth in Mils
0.7 mils
Sheet Resistance per Square
0.95 mΩ/sq
5× Skin Depth (99.3% Current)
88.52 μm

AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ)

Graph 1 • Frequency Mhz Sensitivity Recalculates the domain equation across 50% to 150% of the primary input while holding other parameters constant.
0 μm 13.5 μm 27.0 μm 50%: 25.04 μm 25.0 50% 75%: 20.44 μm 20.4 75% 100%: 17.7 μm 17.7 100% 125%: 15.84 μm 15.8 125% 150%: 14.46 μm 14.5 150%
Graph 2 • Primary & Supporting Metric Comparison Compares the primary output alongside supporting domain benchmarks.
AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) 17.7 μm Skin Depth in Mils 0.7 mils Sheet Resistance per Square 0.95 mΩ/sq 5× Skin Depth (99.3% Current) 88.52 μm
Graph 3 • Exact Output Table & Units Displays each calculated output in its exact domain unit.
AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ)17.7 μmSkin Depth in Mils0.7 milsSheet Resistance per Square0.95 mΩ/sq5× Skin Depth (99.3% Current)88.52 μm
Summary: At 13.56 MHz in a conductor with ρ=16.78 nΩ·m, current concentrates within a 17.7 μm (0.697 mil) skin layer.
Summary: At 13.56 MHz in a conductor with ρ=16.78 nΩ·m, current concentrates within a 17.7 μm (0.697 mil) skin layer.
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Formula & Mathematical Methodology: AC Conductor Skin Depth Physics & Engineering Equation

δmeters = ρ / (π × fHz × μ₀ × μr)
δ_meters = √[ ρ / (π × f_Hz × μ₀ × μ_r) ]
  • frequencyMhz: Frequency Mhz (MHz)
  • resistivityNanoOhmM: Resistivity Nano Ohm M (nΩ·m)
  • relativePermeabilityMur: Relative Permeability Mur (μ_r)

Rounding: Physical constants follow CODATA/NIST values; output quantities display to 2 decimal places.

Worked Example: Physics & Engineering Benchmark: AC Conductor Skin Depth

Find high-frequency current penetration depth δ = √(ρ / π·f·μ).

  1. Enter the physical dimensions, electrical parameters, or thermodynamic state variables.
  2. Apply the governing equation: δ_meters = √[ ρ / (π × f_Hz × μ₀ × μ_r) ].
  3. Inspect the primary SI output, derived quantities, and 3 visual SVG graphs.
Result: Computes AC Conductor Skin Depth via δ_meters = √[ ρ / (π × f_Hz × μ₀ × μ_r) ].

Frequently Asked Questions

What equation powers the RF & AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) & Effective Resistance Calculator?

It evaluates δ_meters = √[ ρ / (π × f_Hz × μ₀ × μ_r) ] using IEEE-754 double precision and renders three synchronized SVG plots.

Can I test parameter sensitivity across multiple values?

Yes. Graph 1 automatically plots a 50%–150% parameter response curve, and you can pin up to 3 custom scenarios.

Are all units consistent with SI standards?

Yes. Each input field specifies its exact SI or engineering unit and converts internally where needed.

Science & Engineering · Electrical & RF Engineering

RF & AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) & Effective Resistance Calculator: inputs, method, and how to read the result

Find high-frequency current penetration depth δ = √(ρ / π·f·μ).

Choose inputs for the case you are checking

The defaults are illustrative. Replace them with values for your case and keep the units shown beside each field.

  • Frequency Mhz: Operating AC or RF frequency in Megahertz (MHz).
  • Resistivity Nano Ohm M: Conductor bulk resistivity in nΩ·m (16.78 copper, 26.5 aluminum).
  • Relative Permeability Mur: Conductor relative permeability μ_r.

What the calculation includes

With the default values shown, AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) is 17.7 μm. The calculation follows AC Conductor Skin Depth Physics & Engineering Equation; the formula and variable definitions above show how the inputs combine.

One-input check: With the other defaults held constant, changing Frequency Mhz from 13.56 MHz to 14.92 MHz changes AC Conductor Skin Depth (δ) from 17.7 μm to 16.88 μm. This is a comparison inside the calculator's stated model, not a prediction.

Where to use caution

  • Uses standard SI physical constants (g = 9.80665 m/s², c = 299,792,458 m/s, σ = 5.670374×10⁻⁸ W·m⁻²·K⁻⁴).
  • Engineering reference model; apply appropriate safety factors and empirical calibration for critical hardware designs.

Scope: SI / NIST Physics & Engineering Standard Check the assumptions and limitations against your situation before relying on the estimate.

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