).
In plane geometry, area always varies in direct proportion to the square of the linear dimension. Thus, if wire A is twice the diameter of wire B, then wire A has four times the cross-sectional area, in circular mils, of B. If wire C is 1/5 of the diameter of wire D, then C has 1/25 the cross-sectional area, in circular mils, of D. In this respect, the circular mil is like any other unit for measurement of area.
Because the circular mil is, as its name implies, based on a circular unit of measure rather than a rectangular unit, conversions between circular mils and square units such as the meter squared (m2) or centimeter squared (cm2) can be awkward. To convert circular mils approximately to meters squared (m2), multiply by 5.066 x 10-10. Conversely, multiply by 1.974 x 109. To convert circular mils approximately to centimeters squared (cm2), multiply by 5.066 x 10-6. Conversely, multiply by 1.974 x 105.
Also see area, meter squared, centimeter squared, foot squared, International System of Units (SI), and Table of Physical Units.
| LAST UPDATED: |
18 Nov 2003
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- The circular mil is a unit of 
