Litz Wire Overview
Litz Wire, derived from the German term "Litzendraht," refers to a unique type of conductor composed of multiple individually insulated fine wires twisted or braided together. This distinctive structure endows Litz Wire with good performance in high-frequency signal transmission by significantly reducing skin effect and mutual inductance losses. Common applications of Litz Wire include high-frequency inductors, transformers, inverters, fuel cells, motors, communication and IT equipment, ultrasonic devices, and sonar equipment.

Historical Background of Litz Wire
The concept of Litz Wire dates back to the early 20th century, with its initial application in medium-frequency radio broadcasting systems as radio technology advanced. Over time, Litz Wire has been widely adopted in various fields, including ultrasonic diagnostic systems, radio-frequency identification systems, and high-frequency switching power supplies.

Evolution of Litz Wire
The early applications of Litz Wire in the first half of the 20th century were in line with the technological capabilities of the time. For instance, the first medium-frequency radio broadcast in 1923 was made possible by the use of Litz wire coils. In the 1940s, Litz Wire was utilized in the first ultrasonic diagnostic systems and radio-frequency identification systems. By the 1950s, Litz Wire was employed in ultra-short wave choke coils.

Twisting Structures of Litz Wire 
Direct Twist Litz Wire: This type of Litz Wire is twisted through one or several steps.
Composite Twist Litz Wire: It can undergo multiple steps of twisting, with pre-twisted strands continuing to be twisted multiple times as required, such as 3-strand composite Litz Wire or 5-strand composite Litz Wire.
Concentric Twist Litz Wire: Each single wire is concentrically twisted around the central conductor of the Litz Wire, arranged in one or multiple layers, for example, 7-wire concentric Litz Wire or 7-strand concentric Litz Wire.
The core advantage of Litz Wire lies in its twisting structure, which effectively reduces eddy current losses at high frequencies and enhances the electrical performance of the wire. The pitch and direction of the twist are crucial design parameters for Litz Wire. The lay length (twist pitch) defines the axial distance required for a strand to complete one full revolution around the Litz wire core, while the direction of the twist can be either clockwise (Z-type) or counterclockwise (S-type).

Types of Litz Wires
Standard Litz Wire
Standard Litz wires are twisted through one or several processes. When used as a base for wire wrapping, extrusion, or other functional coatings, stricter requirements are imposed. Insulation can be enhanced by applying an insulating film over the standard Litz wire. Commonly used outer covering materials include silk, polyimide film, and PET, which improve the wire's insulation strength and heat resistance. By selecting the appropriate combination of film materials, layers, and overlap, the dielectric strength, breakdown voltage, heat resistance, and flexibility can be enhanced. This product offers two temperature ratings, F/155°C and H/180°C, with a peak working voltage of up to 1414V. Rigorous production process monitoring certified by VDE ensures a consistent high-performance level of the product.

Insulated Litz Wires
Thermoplastic Extrusion: Another insulation option for Litz wires is provided by extruding thermoplastic materials over the surface of standard Litz wires. The extruded layer is highly flexible and offers additional protection against moisture and chemicals. ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) extrusion over the Litz wire ensures insulation in high-voltage environments. Triple-insulated extruded Litz wires have good flexibility and meet enhanced insulation requirements for various safety standards, with a compact shape that improves coil fill factor for more efficient electrical performance.
High-Strength Litz Wires: For fine Litz wires or those with high demands for tensile strength or flex life, high-strength monofilament or multifilament yarns can be used for reinforcement. To achieve better performance, these high-strength yarns are placed at the center of the Litz wire. Litz wires can be spirally wrapped with different yarn materials, such as very fine nylon or natural silk, covering the wire with one or multiple layers of yarn fabric during the wrapping process.

Market and Application Prospects for Litz Wires
Since 1951, Elektrisola began supply of high frequency litz wire. They have been rapidly integrated into new designs, such as ferrite core choke coil in electromagnetic ballasts in the 1960s, magnetic resonance imaging systems in the 1970s and 1980s, and high-frequency switching power supplies in the 1990s. As electronic products evolve towards higher frequencies and miniaturization, the market demand for Litz wires continues to grow. New applications for Litz wires are being developed and applied in renewable energy, electric transportation, and medical technology for future products, such as high-frequency switching power supplies, electromagnetic ballasts, high-frequency inductors, transformers, inverters, fuel cells, electric vehicles, communication and IT equipment, ultrasonic devices, sonar equipment, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, televisions, radio equipment, and induction heating, with broad application prospects.

Product Specification Selection
When selecting Litz wires, it is important to consider the product's specifications, including conductor material, insulation material, nominal cross-sectional area, and recommended frequency. These parameters directly affect the electrical performance and application range of Litz wires.

Conclusion
As a crucial electronic component, Litz wires play an increasingly vital role in modern electronic devices. Understanding the basic concepts, types, manufacturing methods, and market application prospects of Litz wires helps in better selecting and utilizing this high-performance conductor.