Skin Depth Equation

Frequency Scaling

According to the formula, the penetration distance is inversely proportional to the square root of the frequency. This means that increasing the frequency of the system significantly reduces the depth of the field, which can be useful for limiting the measurement to the surface layer.

Material Parameter

Resistivity and permeability are the two material properties that govern the result. In high-permeability metals like iron, the skin depth equation yields a very small value, which indicates that magnetic shields can be made thinner while remaining effective.

Engineering Design

Designers use the equation to select the optimal frequency for induction heating and eddy current testing systems. This calculation ensures that the energy is concentrated at the correct depth within the workpiece.