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Volumetric Heat Generation Formula:
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Volumetric Heat Generation is the amount of energy that must be added, in the form of heat, to one unit of volume of the material in order to cause an increase of one unit in its temperature. It's particularly important in electrical conductors carrying current.
The calculator uses the Volumetric Heat Generation formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the heat generated per unit volume in a current-carrying conductor based on the square of current density and the material's resistivity.
Details: Accurate calculation of volumetric heat generation is crucial for thermal management in electrical systems, preventing overheating, ensuring component reliability, and designing efficient cooling systems.
Tips: Enter electric current density in A/m² and resistivity in Ω·m. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.
Q1: What factors affect volumetric heat generation?
A: The main factors are current density (squared relationship) and material resistivity. Higher current or higher resistivity materials generate more heat.
Q2: Why is heat generation proportional to current squared?
A: This relationship comes from Joule's law (P = I²R), where power dissipation (heat) is proportional to the square of current.
Q3: How does this relate to conductor sizing?
A: Larger conductors have lower current density, reducing heat generation. Proper conductor sizing is essential to prevent overheating.
Q4: What are typical resistivity values for common conductors?
A: Copper: ~1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: ~2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silver: ~1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m at 20°C.
Q5: How does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Resistivity increases with temperature, which means heat generation also increases with temperature - this can lead to thermal runaway in some cases.