Voltage Drop Calculator
Calculate voltage drop for cable runs based on length, wire gauge, and current. Essential for power distribution design.
Voltage Drop Calculator
Calculate voltage drop for your cable run
Voltage Drop Guidelines
Recommended voltage drop limits for different applications.
Recommended
Ideal for sensitive electronics, lighting, and motor applications. Minimizes energy waste and ensures reliable operation.
Acceptable
Acceptable for general-purpose loads. NEC maximum for branch circuits. May cause dimming in lights or reduced motor torque.
Excessive
Too high for most applications. Can cause equipment malfunction, overheating, and significant energy loss.
Understanding Voltage Drop
Voltage drop occurs due to the resistance of conductors. As current flows through wire, some energy is lost as heat. The formula is: V = I × R × L where I is current, R is resistance per unit length, and L is the round-trip cable length.
Solutions for high voltage drop: Use larger wire gauge, reduce cable length, increase system voltage, or split the load across multiple circuits.
Related Calculators
Continue your electrical calculations with these related tools.
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