1. What is RV DC Voltage Drop?

Definition: Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit between the source and load due to resistance in the conductors.

Purpose: This calculator helps RV owners and technicians determine how much voltage will be lost over a given DC circuit length.

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 factor of 2 accounts for the round-trip path of current in a DC circuit.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Proper voltage drop calculation ensures electrical devices receive adequate voltage to operate correctly and prevents excessive power loss.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the conductor resistivity (default 0.000000000000172 ohm-m for copper), length in meters, current in amps, and conductor cross-sectional area in m². All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is voltage drop important in RVs?
A: RVs often have long wire runs, and excessive voltage drop can cause appliances to malfunction or operate inefficiently.

Q2: What's the maximum acceptable voltage drop?
A: For DC circuits, generally 3% or less is recommended for critical circuits, up to 5% for non-critical circuits.

Q3: How do I convert wire gauge to cross-sectional area?
A: Use wire gauge tables or our Wire Size Calculator tool to find the area in m².

Q4: What if I know the distance in feet?
A: Convert feet to meters by multiplying by 0.3048 before entering the value.

Q5: Does this calculator work for AC circuits?
A: No, this is specifically for DC circuits. AC voltage drop calculations are more complex.