Electrical resistivity

Competency Group: Material Science

Type: Measure Hardware

Description: Electrical resistivity measures the resistance of material that is an inherent property of a material. Metals are generally conductive and plastics are generally insulators. It is dependent on the chemical properties of a material. How can this material resist current — i.e. Is it an insulator or a conductor.

Citation for Description: Description by authors

Units: Ωm

Advantages: If a device is to be built that a human user is in contact with that has electrical components, they must be insulated from the body. Likewise, this measurement will also be of use if there is a need for electrical conductivity.

Regulations: ASTM International. (n.d.) ASTM D5470 — 06(2011) Standard Test Method for Thermal Transmission Properties of Thermally Conductive Electrical Insulation Materials. Retrieved from http://www.astm.org/Standards/D5470.htm

Target Audience: Engineering, R&D

Relevant to Universal Design: No

Stages and Steps: 2.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.12, 7.1, 7.2

Free Resource: Calculatoredge (n.d.). Ohms law calculator. Retrieved from http://www.calculatoredge.com/enggcalc/ohm%27s-law-calc.htm

Purchase Resource: Cremers, C .J. & Fine, H. A. (Eds.). (1989). Proceedings from The Twenty First International Thermal Conductivity Conference. Lexington, KY: Plenum Press.