1. What is Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit between the source and load. It occurs due to the resistance in conductors and connections. In transformers, voltage drop affects the output voltage delivered to the load.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Ohm's Law:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( R \) — Resistance in ohms (Ω)

Explanation: The voltage drop is directly proportional to both the current flowing through the circuit and the resistance of the conductors.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Calculating voltage drop is essential for proper transformer sizing, ensuring equipment receives adequate voltage, and maintaining system efficiency. Excessive voltage drop can lead to equipment malfunction or reduced performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes and resistance in ohms. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the voltage drop in volts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is an acceptable voltage drop?
A: Typically, a voltage drop of less than 3% for feeders and 5% for branch circuits is considered acceptable in most applications.

Q2: How does wire size affect voltage drop?
A: Larger wire sizes have lower resistance, resulting in less voltage drop for the same current.

Q3: Does voltage drop affect power consumption?
A: Yes, voltage drop represents power lost as heat in the conductors, reducing system efficiency.

Q4: How does transformer impedance affect voltage drop?
A: Transformer impedance contributes to voltage drop, especially under heavy loads. This is separate from conductor voltage drop.

Q5: Can voltage drop be negative?
A: No, voltage drop is always a positive value representing the magnitude of voltage loss.