Specialty Wire
YIDA Litz WireEngineered for High-Frequency Efficiency
Multi-strand construction reduces AC losses by mitigating skin and proximity effects — from 10 kHz to 2 MHz.
The term "Litz" derives from the German Litzendraht, meaning woven wire. Litz wire consists of multiple strands of individually insulated magnet wire, bundled and twisted so that each strand occupies every possible position within the conductor's cross-section over its length.
This construction equalizes current distribution across all strands, keeping the AC-to-DC resistance ratio close to unity at the target frequency. The result: dramatically lower copper losses compared to solid conductors — up to 18x lower AC resistance at 100 kHz.
Product Range
Litz Wire Configurations
QALZ
Basic Litz Wire
Standard polyurethane-insulated litz wire for general high-frequency applications.
QAUS
Served Litz Wire
Textile-served for dimensional stability, splice prevention, and mechanical protection.
QAMPI
Taped Litz Wire
Dielectric tape wrap for high breakdown voltage and defined creepage distance.
How It Works
Why Litz Wire Reduces AC Losses
The Skin Effect
AC current concentrates near the conductor surface as frequency increases. At 100 kHz, skin depth in copper is just 0.21mm — a solid conductor uses only a fraction of its cross-section. By subdividing into strands smaller than the skin depth, litz wire ensures current flows through nearly the entire cross-section of every strand.
Over 98% of current flows within a layer 4x the skin depth from the surface. Designers select strand diameters at or below the skin depth for the target frequency, causing the AC/DC resistance ratio to approach unity.
The Proximity Effect
Alternating magnetic fields from neighboring conductors induce eddy currents that force current into narrow strips — raising AC resistance by up to 10x in multi-layer windings. Litz wire's prescribed twisting ensures each strand spends equal time at every radial position, equalizing flux linkages across all strands.
Individual enamel insulation on each strand prevents inter-strand eddy current loops. Sub-bundle groupings of 3–5 prevent any strand from permanently occupying the center, minimizing internal proximity-effect losses.
Design Reference
Strand Gauge Selection by Frequency
Operating frequency determines individual strand gauge. Strand count is then selected to meet current capacity requirements.
| Frequency Range | Recommended AWG | Strand Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 kHz | 30 AWG | 0.25 mm |
| 10 – 50 kHz | 33 – 36 AWG | 0.12 – 0.18 mm |
| 50 – 100 kHz | 38 AWG | 0.10 mm |
| 100 – 200 kHz | 40 AWG | 0.08 mm |
| 200 – 500 kHz | 42 AWG | 0.06 mm |
| 500 kHz – 1.4 MHz | 44 – 46 AWG | 0.04 – 0.05 mm |
Applications
Where Litz Wire Is Used
From small lighting ballasts to large wind turbines — each application has distinct technical requirements that YIDA addresses with optimized wire design.
Electric vehicles
EV charging stations
Electric motors
Maglev trains
Solar inverters
MRI systems
Medical electronics
Wireless power transmission
Wind turbines
Construction
How Litz Wire Is Built
Individual Strand Insulation
Each strand is coated with polyurethane, polyurethane/nylon, or polyester-imide enamel. This prevents inter-strand eddy currents — the key mechanism that separates litz wire from simple stranded cable.
Type 1 — Bunched
Strands twisted together in a single bunching operation. Each strand freely occupies any radial position. The simplest construction, suitable for moderate frequencies and strand counts.
Type 2 — Multi-Stage Cabled
Groups of Type 1 bundles are further twisted in successive operations with sub-bundle groupings of 3–5. Provides better current equalization at higher frequencies.
Outer Insulation Options
Textile serving (silk, nylon, polyester), dielectric tape wrapping (PET, PEN, polyimide), or thermoplastic extrusion — selected based on voltage, temperature, and mechanical requirements.
Controlled Twist Pitch
Carefully controlled lay length ensures each strand occupies every radial position for equal proportions of total length — the fundamental principle behind uniform current distribution.
Strand Range
Individual strands from 0.04mm (#46 AWG) to 0.8mm (#20 AWG), with 5 to 2,000 strands per conductor. Overall outer diameters from 0.2mm to 4.2mm.
YIDA Litz Wire Data Sheet
Download the Data SheetFrequently Asked Questions
What is litz wire and why is it used?+
How does litz wire reduce AC losses?+
What strand counts and diameters does YIDA offer?+
What is the difference between basic, served, and taped litz wire?+
Is litz wire suitable for wireless charging applications?+
YIDA Wire has manufactured enameled copper wire since 1984. IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and UL certified. Trusted by industry leaders across 50+ countries. Contact us for specifications →