Eur. Phys. J. AP 5, 155-162 (1999)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:1999124

Thin wire approximation for PCB modeling of the EMC of power converters

École Centrale de Lyon ( CEGELY CNRS 5005), 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, B.P. 163, 69131 Écully Cedex, France

Received: 23 March 1998
Revised: 10 July 1998
Accepted: 30 September 1998
Published online: 15 February 1999

Abstract

This paper deals with the modeling of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) for numerical resolution of a power circuits electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). The well-adapted model for numerical resolution is the thin wire model. Thus, the PCB trace is replaced by N thin wires. Each wire radius is calculated as a function of the PCB dimensions. This model is applied to calculate the radiated electric field from a PCB circuit using the moment method which is well-suited for thin wire modeling. By observing the influence of the electromagnetic field radiated from the circuit, the number of equivalent wires required to have coherent results is established. The study of the current distribution in the wires shows that the thin wire model takes into account both the skin and the proximity effects.