Calculator-Online.net

Calculator Online

Calculator-Online.net

Calculator Online

Follow Us On:

Your Result is copied!
Advertisement

Voltage Drop Calculator

The calculator will determine the voltage drop, its percentage, and the resistivity of any wire piece based on the NEC or provided wire resistivity data.

feet

meters

cm

m

mm

in

ft

yd

AWG

inch

mm

amps

milliamps

watts

kVA

hp

kW

Voltage

kilovolts

Ω/km

Ω/m

Ω/1000ft

Ω/ft

mΩ/m

mΩ/ft

Advertisement

Voltage Drop Calculator

Calculate the overall drop in voltage for DC and AC circuits using this voltage drop calculator. It uses NEC and wire resistance equations for power loss across a load in single-phase and three-phase systems, and provides the actual potential drop across the circuit. Additionally, the calculator can provide the wire cross-sectional area, resistance, and voltage across terminals.

What Is Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop is the overall loss of voltage due to the internal impedance of the circuit.

Pictorial Representation

Voltage Drop Illustration

In the figure above, a voltage is applied to a circuit containing only a resistor. When current flows through the resistor, a voltage drop occurs across it, which can be calculated using the voltage drop calculator.

Types of Voltage Drop

According to IEEE, there are two main types:

Positive Voltage Drop

Occurs when electric current flows through a circuit element, decreasing potential along the direction of current.

Positive Voltage Drop

Negative Voltage Drop

Occurs when current flows opposite to the reference point, creating an apparent increase in potential.

Negative Voltage Drop

Voltage Drop Equations

Single-Phase Voltage Drop

V_drop(V) = I_wire(A) × R_wire(Ω)
V_drop(V) = I_wire(A) × (2 × L(ft) × R_wire(Ω/kft) / 1000)
V_drop(V) = I_wire(A) × (2 × L(m) × R_cable(Ω/km) / 1000)

Three-Phase Voltage Drop

V_drop(V) = √3 × I_wire(A) × R_wire(Ω)
V_drop(V) = 1.732 × I_wire(A) × (L(ft) × R_wire(Ω/kft) / 1000)
V_drop(V) = 1.732 × I_wire(A) × (L(m) × R_wire(Ω/km) / 1000)

The calculator quickly shows the exact voltage loss across wires for single-phase or three-phase systems.

Wire Diameter

For wire gauge n:

d_n(in) = 0.005 × 92^((36-n)/39)

In millimeters:

d_n(mm) = 0.127 × 92^((36-n)/39)

Wire Cross-Sectional Area

Depends on the diameter:

A_n(kcmil) = 1000 × d_n² = 0.025 in² × 92^((36-n)/19.5)
A_n(in²) = (π/4) × d_n² = 0.000019635 in² × 92^((36-n)/19.5)
A_n(mm²) = (π/4) × d_n² = 0.000019635 mm² × 92^((36-n)/19.5)

Wire Resistance

Resistance based on cross-sectional area:

R_n(Ω/kft) = 0.3048 × 10⁹ × ρ(Ω·m) / (25.4² × A_n(in²))

FAQ’s

What Causes a Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop occurs when the potential at the end of a wire is lower than at the start, resulting in a loss along the conductor.

Does Voltage Drop Over Distance?

Yes, voltage drop is proportional to conductor length and resistance. Increasing either increases the voltage drop. Learn more.

How Do You Prevent Voltage Drop?

  • Keep conductor temperature low to reduce resistance
  • Minimize conductor length
  • Lower the power load
  • Increase parallel conductors to share load

How Much Voltage Drop Is Acceptable?

The maximum permissible voltage drop for any feeder to the farthest load should not exceed 5% of supply voltage.

Maximum Voltage Drop in a Domestic Property

  • Single-phase: 230.4 V
  • Three-phase: 398.4 V

American Wire Gauge (AWG) Sizes

AWG Diameter Turns of Cable Area Copper Resistance
inch mm per inch per cm kcmil mm² Ω/km Ω/1000ft
0000 (4/0) 0.4600 11.684 2.17 0.856 212 107 0.1608 0.04901
000 (3/0) 0.4096 10.404 2.44 0.961 168 85.0 0.2028 0.06180
00 (2/0) 0.3648 9.266 2.74 1.08 133 67.4 0.2557 0.07793
animal image
sales modal popup close

Easter into Action, Save With Satisfaction

UPTO

50 %

OFF

Online Calculator

Calculator Online

Get the ease of calculating anything from the source of calculator online

Email us at

Contact Us

© Copyrights 2026 by Calculator-Online.net