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Leonard , 07-12-2024, 11:32 AM

I have a technical question regarding PCB design and would appreciate your input. I'm considering building a PCB that needs to dissipate an instantaneous current of 90 amps, with a nominal operating current of approximately 30 amps. Given these high current demands, do you think it would be more appropriate to use a 2-layer or a 4-layer board?

SegoButToRelease , 07-12-2024, 07:55 PM

definitely 4 layer

SegoButToRelease , 07-12-2024, 07:57 PM

we used 2 layer pcb old times but some power problems lived after for this reason change and re 4 layer way designing motor drivers

QDrives , 07-12-2024, 10:22 PM

It is not so much the number of layer for current, but the thickness of the copper and width of the traces.
By the way, a PCB does not "dissipate ... current", it dissipates heat, caused by current (I² * R). Easiest is to use a tool like PCB toolkit to get the width of the trace for a given thickness and temperature rise.
The number of layers is defined by the function/density/complexity of the board and if you want to use multiple layers for the current.

Mini , 07-13-2024, 10:02 AM

Also you are saying 90 amps peak and 30 amps continuous then you may get away with making PCB for 30 amps. It just depends on how long your 90 amp peaks are and how often. Your PCB tracks/plane temperature simply rises for a moment. Any track can handle any current - the question is simply for how long before it starts to burn.