1. What is a Voltage Drop Calculator (Canadian CEC)?

Definition: This calculator estimates the voltage drop in electrical circuits according to the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) standards.

Purpose: It helps electricians and engineers ensure proper voltage levels in electrical installations by calculating potential voltage loss.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Canadian CEC 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 voltage drop for a round-trip circuit (hence the factor of 2) based on conductor properties and current.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Proper voltage drop calculation ensures electrical devices receive adequate voltage and helps prevent performance issues or safety hazards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter conductor resistivity (default 1.72×10⁻⁸ 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 the factor 2 used in the formula?
A: The factor 2 accounts for the round-trip path of current (to the load and back to source) in single-phase systems.

Q2: What's the typical resistivity for copper conductors?
A: Copper at 20°C has ρ ≈ 1.72×10⁻⁸ ohm-m. For aluminum, use ρ ≈ 2.65×10⁻⁸ ohm-m.

Q3: How does conductor temperature affect the calculation?
A: Higher temperatures increase resistivity. For precise calculations, adjust ρ based on operating temperature.

Q4: What's the maximum allowable voltage drop per CEC?
A: CEC recommends ≤3% voltage drop for feeders and ≤5% for branch circuits (measured from service entrance to final outlet).

Q5: How do I convert wire gauge to cross-sectional area?
A: Use standard wire gauge tables. For example, 14 AWG = 2.08 mm² = 2.08×10⁻⁶ m².