The Voltage Drop Calculator has three useful calculations:
CLICK HERE for simple video on how to use this calculator.
The Voltage Drop formula is:
VD = (K * P * L * C)/(A)
where:
The type of wire and temperature range are used to compute the K factor (Ohms - circular mils per foot).
The gauge is used to look up the wire cross-section area in circular mils. Phase is used to choose a phase constant (P), where P = 2.0 for single phase and P= 1.732 for 3 phase.
The user should measure the length of the run, and then choose the phase (single or 3), and the wire type and gauge. Pull-down menus are given for gauge, wire type, phase and temperature range.
The voltage drop can have an adverse affect on equipment. Typically, a 2% drop is the maximum acceptable drop in local use
Note that significantly higher volts can be used without affecting the voltage drop. This results in a lower percentage drop in comparison. For this reason, long lines from power stations to cities are typically in extremely high voltages and reduced for normal consumption via transformers after the distance has been run.