Cable Voltage Drop Calculator

Understanding Cable Voltage Drop

The voltage drop in a cable is the reduction in voltage in the cable caused by the resistance of the conductor and the current passing through it. It is essential to minimize voltage drop in electrical systems to ensure that electrical devices receive the proper voltage to function efficiently.

Formula Used

The basic formula for calculating voltage drop in a single-phase circuit is:

Voltage Drop (V) = (2 × Cable Resistance × Current × Length) / Voltage

Where:

• Cable Resistance (Ohm/m): The resistance per meter of the cable, which is dependent on the material (e.g., copper or aluminum) and size of the wire.
• Current (A): The electrical current flowing through the cable.
• Length (m): The length of the cable through which the current flows.
• Voltage (V): The voltage supplied to the system.

Voltage Drop Impact

A significant voltage drop can result in inefficient operation of electrical equipment, excessive energy loss, and potential damage. Therefore, understanding and calculating voltage drop is crucial for designing electrical systems.

A general guideline is to keep the voltage drop under 3% for general systems and 1-2% for critical applications. This ensures that your electrical devices operate optimally and efficiently.