Does DC Power literally travels on the surface

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the behavior of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) in electrical conductors, specifically addressing whether DC power travels on the surface of wires compared to AC. Participants explore concepts related to electron flow, the skin effect, and the influence of magnetic fields on these currents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether DC power travels on the surface of wires, contrasting it with AC electron travel.
  • Another participant asserts that steady DC flow is evenly distributed across the wire's cross-section to minimize potential differences.
  • Some participants discuss the skin effect, noting that AC currents travel on the surface while DC does not, and that higher frequencies result in lower penetration depths.
  • There is speculation about the effects of initiating electron flow in thin closed circuits with strong magnets, questioning if this induced flow can be considered similar to DC.
  • Participants mention the Lorentz force and its effects on wires in magnetic fields, discussing how DC current changes can induce inductive effects.
  • One participant expresses interest in using specific conductive tape for applications involving magnetic shielding and questions how to strengthen the Lorentz effect to support heavier payloads.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of DC versus AC currents, particularly regarding the skin effect and the distribution of electron flow. While some agree on the differences in how AC and DC are affected by magnetic fields, the discussion remains unresolved on several technical aspects.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific materials and configurations, such as the 3M conductive tape and Halbach arrays, but the discussion does not resolve the complexities of their interactions with magnetic fields or the implications for practical applications.

Robin07
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Does DC Power literally travels on the surface of the wire? Compared to AC electron travel which I understand to travel within the magnetic wire used. If so, or not, can anyone make referance to some study material for clarification or a better understanding in this regard.

Thanks for your assistance.
 
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No, a steady DC flow of electrons is evenly spread out in the cross section of a wire, such that to minimize the potential difference between them.
 
Thanks what, I know that it was a uneducated/silly question, but I need to varify information that is found on the net.

Thanks again
Robin07
 
AC currents travel on the surface not DC. The higher the frequency the lower the penetration. You can use this to design shielding.
 
Ah, that clarifies things. I understand now why 3M would use 1- 2.5 etc. micron thicknesses in their adhesive, magnetic shielding tape, i.e. 3M 9713 xyz conductive tapes.

Is "sink effect" than sinonamous to AC current and/or is DC also effected by skin effect but to a smaller degree?

I've often wondered if you initiate electron flow in a very thin, micron thin, closed circuit loops with a powerfull rare Earth magnet(s). I understand that an equal and opposite field will be produced to repell the initiating field. As, Panda points out the higher the frequency the lower the penatration. So, is induced electron flow from a magnet/field, a low frequency? A constant influence? Can it be considered DC like? I would think that it would be a temporary but a constant(straight line) influence, direct as it were. Yes?
 
Robin07 said:
Ah, that clarifies things. I understand now why 3M would use 1- 2.5 etc. micron thicknesses in their adhesive, magnetic shielding tape, i.e. 3M 9713 xyz conductive tapes.

You are talking about this tape right?

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs666yvYCOrrrrQ-


The shielding is only accomplished when you surround something with a good electrical conductor. No AC EM field will escape it. This tape is loaded with conditive fibers, making it a good conductor, that's all there is to it.



Robin07 said:
I've often wondered if you initiate electron flow in a very thin, micron thin, closed circuit loops with a powerfull rare Earth magnet(s). I understand that an equal and opposite field will be produced to repell the initiating field. As, Panda points out the higher the frequency the lower the penatration. So, is induced electron flow from a magnet/field, a low frequency? A constant influence? Can it be considered DC like? I would think that it would be a temporary but a constant(straight line) influence, direct as it were. Yes?


Yes a physical lorentz force will be exerted on the wire. The wire loop will move in the presence of external magnetic field. But it has nothing to do with the skin effect.

But during the transient time, when DC current changes from zero to a constant value, an inductive effect will take place. A piece of wire with a giant magnec close by will have some inductance. That will try to oppose the DC current.


The skin effect is where an AC current, (which flows back and forth from positve to negative) induces its own magnetic field which pulls the electrons apart. The faster they alternate, the farther apart they are being pulled in the cross section of a wire.

Also, an AC current in a wire at a perticular frequency will induce a current in another wire closeby, at the same frequency. Skin effect once again is not really helping inducing the current in another wire.

Hope that helps.
 
Last edited:
Yes, Wath that is the tape I'm referring to. Just so that we all are clear of my intention. I intend to use the 3M 9713 xyz tape not for sheilding or have an AC frequency involved at all. At this time I'm confirming that there is an inherent difference between AC and a DC, relative to how they are affected by an induced magnetic field. Thus far we seem to agree that there is.

If I may sumize what I undestand now is that an induced steady DC flow will tend to influence electrons, in a conductor, evenly spreading them out in the cross section of a wire/tape so that it minimizes the potential difference between them. So then if we use a micron filament/foil such as the 3M xyz tape in a closed loop configuration. This will also spread the potential difference across its' y axis? And in effect cause a magnetic field that will oppose the permanet magnets' induced field? The Lorentz force you refer to. Note: The permanet magnets I'm referring to are the rare Earth Neodyniums(N42), arranged in a Halbach array. I understand that this arrangement yields a field strong enough to lift 50x its' own weight. I would think that this is a very strong field eliminating the use of very large(giant), heavy permanent magnets. We also argree that an Loretz force will be exerted on the wire, in this case the 3M tape. If this conductive tape is stationary, afixed to minimize movement. Would the Halbach Array not then be moved away(repelled) by its' own induced field?

If all holds true? How is it that I will be able to strenghten the Lorentz effect so that the resulting induced field will be able to carry the weight of the Halbach Arrays and carry 49x more? in-order to accommodate a pay-load.

I have only looked and read on how the flux-field can be strengthened. Cooling of the medium that carries the exchange of electron flow does the trick, but this proves to be much too expensive to implement and maintain. The closest/available information is the Inductrack configuration, which I'm in the process of decifering with the limited information that's available.

Thanks what, Panda

Hey? If you find that I conclude without a clear understanding, tell me so. I would like to pursue this much futher.

Thanks Again
Robin07
 

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