Calculate Resistance Area: P x L/A

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The discussion focuses on calculating resistance using the formula R = PL/A, where P is resistivity, L is length, and A is cross-sectional area. An apprentice seeks clarification on how to determine the area of a conductor with dimensions 20mm by 9mm, ultimately confirming that the area is 1.8 x 10^-4 m². Another participant presents a homework problem involving a 500-meter copper conductor and questions discrepancies in their resistance calculations. The correct approach involves using the resistivity derived from a given conductor's resistance to solve for the second conductor's resistance. The thread concludes with confirmation of the correct area calculation for the conductor.
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Im a first year electrical apprentice and I can't work out the area for resistance. The formula is R = PL/A :eg 20mm by 9mm conductor the answer has to be in meters squared can you show me the formula please?
 
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Is that a rectangle,or an ellipse?I think you mean

R=\rho\frac{l}{S}


Daniel.
 
Are you just asking how to find out how many meters-squared an area 20 mm by 9 mm is?

If so, just convert each length into meters (0.020 m x 0.009 m) and multiply them.

- Warren
 
A question I have for homework is find the resistance of a 500 meter length of copper conductor having a cross sectional area of 20mm by 9mm? I know the resistivity of copper is 1.72 x10-8 and L is given 500, the A I think is 1.8x10-4. So R=PL/A !.72x10-8 x 500 / 1.8x10-4. The answer I get is 4.7 but the answer I'm supposed to get is 0.133 . Can you tell mr where I've gone wrong?
 
Again,check your arithmetics.The surface is okay.

Daniel.
 
I get 0.0477 ohms (this number is also within 10% of a number generated from the american wire gauge tables, so I believe it is correct).

Are you sure you have written down the dimensions correctly ?
 
The actual question is. A copper conductor is 200 meters long and has a rectangular cross section of 12mm by 8mm. It's resistance is 0.01 ohm. Find the resistance of 500 meters of a copper conductor having a cross section of 20mm by 9mm?
 
That's something else.

R=\rho\frac{l}{S}

Use this for the first conductor to find \rho and then use this resistivity to find the resistance of the 2-nd conductor.


Daniel.
 
I did try that Daniel but I still can't arrive at the answer the course notes gives . I think my calculations for area isn't right. Is 20mm by 9mm 20+9=29 x 10-3squared =2.9x10-5 or is it 20x9=180x10-3squared 1.8x10-4. Or is there another way?
 
  • #10
20 \mbox{mm}\cdot 9 \mbox{mm}=180 (\mbox{mm})^{2}=1.8\cdot 10^{-4}\mbox{m}^{2}


That's the area.


Daniel.
 
  • #11
Thanks mate!
 
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