Leg Length – What Does It Mean in Vaping Atomizers?

Definition

Leg Length refers to the two Wire“>straight wire “legs” that extend from the coil body and connect it to the posts of your rebuildable atomiserdeck. These legs act as the electrical pathway between the positive and negative terminals and determine how far the coil sits above the deck, inside the airflow. Correct leg length ensures even heating, prevents leaking, and influences flavour, cloud production, and the overall lung hit experience. Too short and the coil may short against the deck; too long and wicking can flood or scorch.

Technical Details

How it works

When the Battery“>lithium battery delivers current, it travels up one leg, through the coil, and down the other leg. The resistance of each leg (a few milliohms) adds to the coil’s total low resistance reading. Most builders aim for 4.5–6 mm per leg on 24 mm RDAs, 5–7 mm on 25–28 mm RTAs, and 3–4 mm on compact MTL attys. Leg diameter must match post-hole size; 2.5 mm legs suit most grub-screw clamps, while 3 mm legs fit open-post decks. Variations include “long-leg” spaced coils for cooler vape and “short-leg” micro-coils for warmer, denser vapour.

Measurements & specs

  • Standard: 5 mm ± 0.5 mm for dual-coil RDAs
  • MTL: 3.5 mm ± 0.3 mm to keep coil close to air pin
  • Mesh: 1.5–2 mm stubs on clamp-style decks
  • Spring-loaded posts: Trim flush to avoid bending

Usage & Tips

Practical advice

  • Measure twice, cut once: Install coil loosely, align with airflow, then trim legs for a 1 mm gap between coil bottom and deck.
  • Avoid shorts: After trimming, pulse at 15 W and check for LED indicator on regulated mods; any hot-spot on legs means re-seat or re-wrap.
  • Prevent leaking: Legs that are too long push cotton toward juice wells, causing flooding. Keep legs just long enough to trap wicking tails.
  • Safety: Always snip legs flush to post screws to eliminate sharp points that can tear cotton or short against cap.

History & Context

Early 2010 RDA decks used fixed-position posts, forcing builders to bend long legs. The shift to velocity-style posts in 2014 popularised adjustable leg length, letting vapers fine-tune coil placement for temperature control and Hit“>lung hit styles. Today, interchangeable post decks and pre-cut coil kits standardise leg length, making rebuildables more beginner-friendly across Australia.

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