What is the Skin Effect in Electrical Conductors?

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The discussion centers on the concept of skin effect in conductors, as described by Oliver Heaviside in 1893. It explains that alternating current (AC) primarily flows on the surface of a conductor, while direct current (DC) distributes evenly across the entire cross-section. As frequency increases, the current density shifts from the center to the outer surface, creating an annular conducting area. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding how electrical currents behave in different frequency ranges. The terms "skin effect" and "skin depth" are essential for further exploration of this topic.
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I quote from Oliver Heaviside, "Electromagnetic Theory", 1893, p.15:

It was discovered by mathematical reasoning that when an electric current
is started in a wire it begins entirely upon its skin, in fact upon the outside
of its skin; and that, in consequence, suficiently rapidly impressed fluctuations
of the current keep to the skin of the wire, and do not sensibly penetrate to
its interior.

Is this true?
 
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As the quote says, this is true for fluctuating currents; in other words, it is true for AC, but not for DC.

At zero frequency (DC) the current occupies the entire cross section of the conductor, as you start increasing the frequency, the current starts to empty the conductor from the center effectively turning into just an annular conducting cross section.

Google "Skin effect" or "skin depth".
 
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