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Voltage Drop Formula:
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Voltage drop refers to the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit between the source and load. It occurs due to the resistance in conductors and components, and is calculated using Ohm's Law.
The calculator uses the voltage drop formula:
Where:
Explanation: The voltage drop is directly proportional to both the current flowing through the circuit and the resistance encountered.
Details: Calculating voltage drop is essential for proper electrical system design, ensuring adequate voltage reaches loads, preventing equipment malfunction, and maintaining system efficiency and safety.
Tips: Enter current in amperes (A) and resistance in ohms (Ω). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why is voltage drop important in electrical systems?
A: Excessive voltage drop can cause equipment to operate inefficiently, overheat, or malfunction, and may indicate undersized conductors or excessive circuit length.
Q2: What is an acceptable voltage drop percentage?
A: Generally, a voltage drop of 3% or less for branch circuits and 5% or less for feeder circuits is considered acceptable in most electrical codes.
Q3: How does wire length affect voltage drop?
A: Voltage drop increases with longer wire lengths due to increased resistance in the conductor. Larger wire gauges are often used for longer runs to minimize voltage drop.
Q4: Does temperature affect voltage drop calculations?
A: Yes, resistance changes with temperature. For precise calculations, the temperature coefficient of the conductor material should be considered.
Q5: Can this formula be used for AC and DC circuits?
A: This simple formula works for DC circuits and resistive AC circuits. For inductive or capacitive AC loads, impedance rather than pure resistance must be considered.