Trace width for current capacity in PCB Design - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Trace width for current capacity

Goal

Determine the required PCB trace width to safely carry a given current without overheating.

Sample Data

Current (A)	Temperature Rise (°C)	Copper Thickness (oz)	Trace Width (mils)
1	10	1	10
2	10	1	20
3	10	1	30
4	10	1	40
5	10	1	50
6	10	1	60
7	10	1	70

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Input Current - User enters current in Amps (example: 3 A).
• Calculated Measure: Required Trace Width (mils) - Simplified formula based on IPC-2152 standard (for 10°C rise, 1 oz copper):
  Trace Width = 10 * Current
  For example, for 3A, 10°C rise, 1 oz copper:
  Trace Width = 10 * 3 = 30 mils
• Line Chart: Trace Width vs Current - Shows trace width needed for currents 1A to 7A at fixed 10°C rise and 1 oz copper.
• Data Table: Displays sample data with Current, Temperature Rise, Copper Thickness, and Trace Width columns.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+-----------------------+
|      Input Current    |   Required Trace Width |
|       (KPI Card)     |     (Calculated KPI)   |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|                  Line Chart: Trace Width vs Current           |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|                         Data Table                            |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

User inputs current value in the KPI card. The calculated trace width updates immediately using the formula. The line chart highlights the trace width for the selected current. The data table can be filtered by current range to see matching rows.

Self Check

If you change the input current to 5A, which components update and what is the new required trace width?

• The Required Trace Width KPI updates to approximately 50 mils.
• The Line Chart highlights the point at 5A.
• The Data Table filters or highlights the row with 5A current.

Key Result

Dashboard calculates and visualizes PCB trace width needed for given current to ensure safe current capacity.