Skin Effect Calculator

Calculate skin depth at a given frequency with the Skin Effect Calculator, and learn how with the integrated live example

As frequency increases, the current carried by a conductor goes towards the outer surface of the conductor, and the copper in the middle becomes inactive. The depth of the current, or the active conduction depth, is called the skin depth.

Cross-section diagram of an electrical conductor depicting the skin effect

The formula to calculate the skin depth is:

δ =
√
2ρ
ωμ

Where
δ = Skin depth in metres
ρ = The resistivity of the conductor (copper = 1.678 × 10-8 ohms·metre at 20°C)
μ = The permeability of the conductor = μrμ0
μr = The relative permeability of the conductor (copper = 0.999994)
μ0 = The permeability of free space = 4π × 10-7 Henries/metre
ω = Angular frequency = 2πf
f = Frequency in cycles/sec

Example: Find the skin depth when the frequency is 1330 kc

δ =
√
2 × 1.678 × 10-8
2 × 3.142 × 1330000 × 0.999994 × 4 × 3.142 × 10-7
=
√
0.00000003356
10.501
= 0.0000565 Metres
= 56.532 μm
Enter the Frequency and select the units

How To Calculate Skin Depth

Enter some values to get started!

Using the Skin Effect Calculator

Frequency: The only value you need to enter to calculate skin depth is the frequency

How To Calculate Skin Depth: This feature displays a live example of how to calculate skin depth using the figures that you enter

The result is calculated and updated automatically as you enter different numbers or change between the input fields. If the calculated result hasn’t updated after you’ve finished entering your values, click or tap on the result.

Reference: Wikipedia

Additional information

Other free calculators