1. What is a Conductor Voltage Drop Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the voltage drop in an electrical conductor based on its material properties, length, current, and cross-sectional area.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers and technicians ensure proper voltage levels in electrical circuits and select appropriate conductor sizes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( VD \) — Voltage drop (volts)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity of conductor material (ohm-m)
• \( L \) — Length of conductor (meters)
• \( I \) — Current flowing through conductor (amps)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of conductor (m²)

Explanation: The formula calculates the voltage drop along both the supply and return conductors (hence the factor of 2).

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Proper voltage drop estimation ensures electrical equipment receives adequate voltage, prevents power loss, and maintains system efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the conductor resistivity (default 1.68×10⁻⁸ ohm-m for copper), length in meters, current in amps, and cross-sectional area in m². All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is resistivity important?
A: Resistivity determines how strongly a material opposes electric current flow. Different materials have different resistivity values.

Q2: What's the typical resistivity of copper?
A: Copper has a resistivity of about 1.68×10⁻⁸ ohm-m at 20°C, which is why it's commonly used in electrical wiring.

Q3: Why multiply by 2 in the formula?
A: The factor of 2 accounts for both the supply and return paths in a typical circuit.

Q4: How do I convert wire gauge to cross-sectional area?
A: Use standard AWG tables or our Wire Gauge Calculator tool to convert gauge numbers to m².

Q5: What's an acceptable voltage drop?
A: Generally, voltage drop should be less than 3% for branch circuits and 5% for feeder circuits, but check local electrical codes.