This is a theoretical question about the maximum current carrying capacity of a copper conductor.
I discussed this question with a collegue but we couldn't come to a conclusion. Background was that researching Power Mosfets I've seen several Mosfets in a TO-247 package that have several 100A continuous (!) drain current ratings and pulse current ratings of even more than 1000A.
Now the question is not about the FET characteristics and what's the point in having for example a drain current limit rating (silicon limited) of 350A if the drain current limit rating (wire bond limited) is only 195A like in the datasheet I attached.
The question is if there is a limit in current density, means in the amount of electrons that can pass through a certain area of a conductor. I understand that the practical limit is given by the temperature rise that the current causes which will eventually melt the conductor ( like in a fuse). The question is theoretical: If I had the possibility to maintain the temperature under the melting point of the conductor, is there any other parameter that limits maximum current density? Or could it be infinite?
I discussed this question with a collegue but we couldn't come to a conclusion. Background was that researching Power Mosfets I've seen several Mosfets in a TO-247 package that have several 100A continuous (!) drain current ratings and pulse current ratings of even more than 1000A.
Now the question is not about the FET characteristics and what's the point in having for example a drain current limit rating (silicon limited) of 350A if the drain current limit rating (wire bond limited) is only 195A like in the datasheet I attached.
The question is if there is a limit in current density, means in the amount of electrons that can pass through a certain area of a conductor. I understand that the practical limit is given by the temperature rise that the current causes which will eventually melt the conductor ( like in a fuse). The question is theoretical: If I had the possibility to maintain the temperature under the melting point of the conductor, is there any other parameter that limits maximum current density? Or could it be infinite?
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