Prevent power loss and ensure electrical safety with our advanced Voltage Drop Calculator. This tool helps you accurately determine the optimal wire size for a specific distance or calculate the maximum allowable distance for a chosen wire gauge, preventing excessive voltage drop in your circuits.
Formula:
The fundamental formula for calculating voltage drop in a circuit is:
VD = (2 × K × I × L) / CMA
Where:
- VD = Voltage Drop in Volts
- K = Conductor Material Resistivity (Ohms per Circular Mil-Foot, typically 12.9 for Copper and 21.2 for Aluminum at 75°C)
- I = Load Current in Amperes
- L = One-way Circuit Length in Feet
- CMA = Conductor Area in Circular Mils (CM)
To calculate the Maximum Distance (L) for a given wire size and voltage drop:
L = (VD × CMA) / (2 × K × I)
To determine the Minimum Wire Size (CMA) required for a specified distance and voltage drop:
CMA = (2 × K × I × L) / VD
Note: VD (Voltage Drop in Volts) can be derived from your Source Voltage and desired Target Voltage Drop Percentage: VD = Source Voltage × (Target VD % / 100)