Why the “skin effect” makes Litz Wire the best choice for so many high-frequency applications.

Litz wire is a multistrand construction used in high-frequency electronics to reduce the skin effect and proximity effect losses in frequencies up to about 1 MHz. Litz consists of many thin wire strands, individually insulated and twisted or woven together which has the effect of equally distributing the current among the wire strands, reducing the resistance.

MWS offers Served or Unserved insulated Litz Wire with a Single build of Polyurethane, Polyurethane Nylon or a Heavy Build of Polyurethane, Polyurethane Nylon.

Operating frequency is the most important question to consider when specifying Litz wire.

The operating frequency will determine both the Litz construction and the individual wire gauge. The following table shows the recommended strand gauge versus frequency for most Litz constructions.

Because of low electrical losses and ease of soldering, the magnet wire insulation most used is polyurethane or polyurethane top coated with nylon. Litz wires are often insulated with an overall single or double wrap, or serve, of nylon textile that affords additional abrasion resistance and a space factor in the winding.