Why do wires become thicker when the current is higher?

Why do wires become thicker when the current is higher?

1. The relationship between wires and current

Electricity refers to the ability of electrons to flow through a wire, and current is how this measure of electricity is measured on the wire. The size of the current depends on the following factors:

（1） Voltage: The higher the voltage, the higher the current.

（2） Resistance: Resistance and current are inversely proportional. The smaller the resistance, the greater the current.

（3）Conductivity: The conductivity of the material directly affects the size of the current. The stronger the conductivity, the greater the current.

Therefore, the size of the current can be adjusted by controlling the above factors.

2. The relationship between wires and resistors

Resistance is the electrical power generated when a current flows through a wire, so the size of the wire has a great relationship with the resistance. Generally speaking, the thicker the wire, the smaller the resistance produced when current passes through it, and the smaller the energy accumulated inside the wire. When a wire is too thin, the resistance will increase and heat accumulation will increase, which can cause the wire to burn, damage, or even cause a fire.

3. Factors that determine wire thickness

The thickness of a wire is closely related to the amount of current it can withstand. The factors that determine the thickness of the wire include the following aspects:

（1）Current: The greater the current, the thicker the wire. This is to ensure that it can withstand the current load.

（2）Line length: The longer the line length, the longer it takes for the current to pass. Generally, thicker wires need to be selected.

（3）Ambient temperature: The thickness of the wire is also related to the ambient temperature. Too high or too low will affect the current the wire can withstand.

In short, the thickness of the wire is based on comprehensive considerations such as current size and line length to ensure that the wire can carry the required current and avoid overload or overheating problems.