Litz wire is a particular type of multistrand wire or cable used in electronics to carry alternating current (AC) at radio frequencies. The wire is designed to reduce the skin effect and proximity effect losses in conductors used at frequencies up to about 1 MHz.[1]
It consists of many thin wire strands, individually insulated and twisted or woven together, following one of several carefully prescribed patterns[2][better source needed] often involving several levels (already-twisted wires are twisted together into small groups, those are twisted into larger groups, etc.). The result of these winding patterns is to equalize the proportion of the overall length over which each strand is at the outside of the conductor. This has the effect of distributing the current equally among the wire strands, reducing the impedance.
Litz wire is used in high Q inductors for radio transmitters and receivers operating at low frequencies, induction heating equipment and switching power supplies.
The term litz wire originates from Litzendraht (coll. Litze), German for braided/stranded wire[3] or woven wire.[4][better source needed]
- ^ Terman (1943, p. 37)
- ^ Litz Wire Types & Construction, New England Wire Technologies, 2019
- ^ See English translation of Litzendraht. See translation of Litze (lace, strand, braiding, braid on military uniform) and translation of Draht (wire, filament, strand). See also German translations of wire.
- ^ "MWS Wire Industries – Litz Wire". Retrieved 2024-07-24., "Litz Wire – General Information, Round, Solderable, Custom Colors & Insulations". Archived from the original on 2010-04-16. Retrieved 2010-05-25., and http://www.litz-wire.com/applications.html Archived 2014-02-28 at the Wayback Machine translate Litzendraht to woven wire