The Diameter to Circular Mils calculator computes the circular mils associated with a diameter.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (d) Diameter
Diameter to Circular Mils (CM): The results are returns in units of circular mils (CM or cmil). It also returns the cross-section area (CSA) in square millimeters. However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The Diameter to Circular Mils equation computes the circular mils for a single wire (one strand) from an input diameter. The input is converted to mils (1/1000th inches) and then the formula is:
CM = d2
where:
- CM = circular mils
- d = diameter of wire
Circular mils are a unit of area used primarily in the United States to describe the cross-sectional area of a wire. This measurement is particularly common in the context of electrical engineering for determining wire sizes. For stranded wires, the process is the same, but if you have multiple strands, you calculate the circular mils for one strand and then multiply by the number of strands to get the total cross-sectional area in circular mils.
AWG Wire Diameters
The diameter of AWG (American Wire Gauge) wires decreases as the gauge number increases. Here are the diameters for some common AWG wire sizes:
Key Points:
- Larger Diameter, Lower Gauge: As the gauge number decreases, the wire diameter increases.
- Smaller Diameter, Higher Gauge: As the gauge number increases, the wire diameter decreases.
These diameters are for solid wires. For stranded wires, the overall diameter can be slightly larger due to the small gaps between the strands.
Electrician Calculators
- Voltage Drop: This computes the voltage drop in volts and as a percentage over a length of cable (wire) based on length of wire, gauge, wire material, temperature range and phase.
- Wire Gauge Choice for Safe Voltage Drop: This determines the lightest gauge of wire that can be used over a run (circuit) that maintains adequate voltage.
- Circular Mils and Voltage Drop: This computes voltage drop based on wire diameter in circular mils instead of wire gauge.
- Electricity Usage Cost: This computes the cost of electricity for the use of a piece of equipment based on the power consumption rate, duration and cost of electricity.
- Electricity Consumption: This computes the amount of electricity consumed by an electrical appliance or motor over time.
- Rolling Offset: This computes the travel (T) and run (R) of a rolling offset used in conduit piping based on the offsets and angles.
- Diameter of AWG Wire: This provides the diameter of wire based on the American Wire Guide (AWG) gauge in mils and millimeters, and it also provide the cross-section area in square millimeters.
- P = V2 / R: This computes power (Watts) based on the voltage (V) and resistance (R).
- DC to AC Converter: Computes the approximate voltage of Alternating Current (AC) from the voltage of Direct Current (DC).
- Diameter to Circular Mils: Computed the circular mils of a wire and the cross-section area based on the wire's diameter.