Isn't cutting corners on traces being cheap?

Quote Originally Posted by Carnel View Post
I doubt where the "low cost" of electronics is the cause of power electronics failure. Designers mostly use bare or tinned copper traces for high currents. But for a free conductor a current density of 10 A/mm2 is the maximum to tolerate. For a motor current of 10 A and a trace thickness of 35 micrometer you need a trace width of 30 cm! That's impractical. So, as a consequence, in practice you always should cover high current traces with copper wire or strip which can be soldered to the trace. I use 1,5 mm2 up to 10 A, 2,5 mm2 up to 16 amp. So, when you buy electronic boards for high current applications, check which traces draw these high currents and modify your PCB.