A python command like tool for calculating nichrome wire specifics for heating applications.
usage: nichrome.py [-h] [-w WATTS] [-v VOLTAGE] [-t WIRE_TYPE] [-g AWG]
[-l LENGTH]
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-w WATTS, --watts WATTS
Power range in watts
-v VOLTAGE, --voltage VOLTAGE
Supply voltage in volts
-t WIRE_TYPE, --wire-type WIRE_TYPE
Nichrome wire type
-g AWG, --awg AWG Nichrome wire gauge
-l LENGTH, --length LENGTH
Wire length in feet
All arguments can take two forms,
- Single integer value. Example, '
-w 100'. - A range specified by two integer values separated by a '
:' (colon). Example, '-l 10:15'.
The command supports following nichrome wire types, which indicates the percentage of Nickel in the alloy:
- 20
- 30
- 40
- 60
- 70
- 80
For example, The nichrome wire commonly called Nichrome 60, which actually has 60% Nickel, is to be entered as '-t 60'. The range format is also
supported for wire types so you can specify type like '-t 30:70' as well.
Once nichrome.py is used to get a broad idea from the list it produces, you might want to fine tune the results with more resolution.
You can use nicrlen.py for that purpose.
usage: nicrlen.py [-h] [-w WATTS] [-v VOLTAGE] [-t WIRE_TYPE] [-g AWG]
[-n NUMBER]
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-w WATTS, --watts WATTS
Power range in watts
-v VOLTAGE, --voltage VOLTAGE
Supply voltage in volts
-t WIRE_TYPE, --wire-type WIRE_TYPE
Nichrome wire type
-g AWG, --awg AWG Nichrome wire gauge
-n NUMBER, --number NUMBER
Number of parallel sections
Make sure not to exceed the current capacity of the nichrome wire. Check the Wikipedia article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichrome for more information. The heat produced by the wire must be carried away the surrounding material. Depending on the surrounding material's thermal conductivity the temperature of the wire can vary for a given current. You have to make sure that the temperature does no exceed the manufacturer's recommendation.