How to Calculate the Cross-Sectional Area of a Cable
Calculating the cross-sectional area of a conductor is essential for determining its electrical properties and current-carrying capacity. The method differs slightly between solid core (single-strand) and stranded (multi-strand) cables. Below are the formulas and step-by-step examples for both types.
Area of a Solid Core (Single-Strand) Cable
For a solid core cable, use the following formula to calculate the exact cross-sectional area when the diameter of the wire is known.
Area = π × (Diameter / 2)²
Example Calculation: Solid Core
Let's find the area of a single-strand cable with a wire diameter of 0.9mm.
- Find the radius: Radius = Diameter / 2 = 0.9mm / 2 = 0.45mm
- Square the radius: 0.45² = 0.2025
- Multiply by Pi (π): 3.14159 × 0.2025 = 0.636mm²
Area of a Stranded (Multi-Strand) Cable
For a multi-strand cable, you first calculate the area of an individual strand and then multiply it by the total number of strands.
Total Area = (π × (Diameter of one strand / 2)²) × Number of strands
Example Calculation: Stranded Cable
Let's find the approximate total area for a cable having 41 strands of 0.20mm wire.
- Calculate the area of a single strand:
(3.14159 × (0.20 / 2)²) = 0.0314 mm² - Calculate the total area for all 41 strands:
0.0314 mm² × 41 = 1.2874mm²
Your Project, Perfected. That's The Access Advantage.
- Expert Local Support, Since 1973: Don't waste time with guesswork. Our experts have seen it all and are ready to provide the right solution, right now. Your success is our business.
- Uncompromising Aussie Quality: We live and breathe quality. From rigorous testing to official Australian certification, we guarantee every product we sell is built to perform and built to last.
- Your Specs, Your Brand, Our Build: Off-the-shelf not cutting it? We specialise in building custom cables and assemblies to your exact specifications, branded for your business. Let's create it together.
- Guaranteed for Life: Buy it once. Trust it forever. Our products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, so you can invest in quality with zero risk. *Warranty excludes third-party brands such as HALO and UPS.
- Innovation That Keeps You Ahead: The tech landscape is always changing, and so is our catalogue. We ensure you always have access to the latest, most reliable solutions on the market.
Let's get your project started.
Talk to an expert today for a custom quote or browse the solutions most relevant to your search.