1. What is Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit between the source and load. It occurs due to the resistance in the conductors (wires) carrying the current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage drop formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( L \) — Length of the wire in meters (m)
• \( R_{\text{per length}} \) — Wire resistance per unit length (Ω/m)
• The factor of 2 accounts for the round trip (supply and return paths)

Explanation: The voltage drop increases with higher current, longer wire lengths, and higher resistance wires.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Excessive voltage drop can cause equipment to malfunction, reduce efficiency, and potentially create safety hazards. Electrical codes typically limit voltage drop to 3-5% of the supply voltage.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the current in amperes, wire length in meters, and the wire's resistance per meter. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is voltage drop important?
A: Excessive voltage drop can cause equipment to operate improperly, reduce efficiency, and potentially create safety issues.

Q2: How can I reduce voltage drop?
A: Use shorter wire runs, larger diameter wires (lower resistance), or reduce the current load.

Q3: What's an acceptable voltage drop?
A: Generally 3% for branch circuits and 5% for feeder circuits is considered acceptable in most electrical codes.

Q4: Does voltage drop affect power consumption?
A: Yes, voltage drop represents power lost as heat in the wires, which is wasted energy.

Q5: Why is there a factor of 2 in the formula?
A: The factor of 2 accounts for the round trip path - current flows to the load and returns to the source.