IPC standard determines current-carrying capacity

The 97-page document sets the industry standard for determining the appropriate sizes of internal and external conductors as a function of the current-carrying capacity required and the acceptable conductor temperature rise.

The IPC-2152 standard provides guidance on how thermal conductivity, vias, power dissipation, printed board material and thickness, and the presence of copper planes factor into the relationship between current, conductor size and temperature.

The main document establishes general, conservative guidelines for sizing conductors and contains simple charts that show testing results for both internal and external conductors in air and vacuum environments.

The document's appendix provides more specifics, giving clarity and insight into how variables impact the temperature rise of a conductor and presenting detailed charts based on copper weights.