Voltage Drop Calculator

Use this calculator to calculate voltage drop, percentage of voltage drop, and wire resistance based on wire type, current type, and other parameters. It supports DC, single-phase AC, and three-phase AC systems.

Wire Type:

Select the wire type (e.g., Copper, Aluminum) for your electrical system.

Resistivity (Ω·m):

This value is auto-filled based on your selected wire type.

Wire Diameter (AWG):

Enter the wire diameter (in AWG) for the wire used in your system.

Wire Length (Feet):

Enter the total wire length (in feet) for your electrical system.

Current Type:

Select the current type (DC, single-phase AC, or three-phase AC) based on your system.

Voltage (Volts):

Enter the voltage (in volts) for your electrical system.

Current (Amps):

Enter the electrical current (in amps) being carried by the wire.

How Does the Voltage Drop Calculation Work?

The voltage drop in an electrical system depends on various factors such as wire type, wire length, wire diameter, current type (DC, single-phase AC, or three-phase AC), and the voltage in the system. Below is a brief explanation of how to calculate voltage drop in different system types:

For DC Systems: The formula for calculating voltage drop is:
Voltage Drop (V) = (2 × Length × Current × Resistivity) ÷ (Area)
where Length is the wire length, Current is the current flowing through the wire, Resistivity is the material's resistivity, and Area is the cross-sectional area of the wire.

For Single-Phase AC Systems: The formula for calculating voltage drop is:
Voltage Drop (V) = (2 × Length × Current × Resistivity) ÷ (Area × Power Factor)
where Power Factor adjusts the formula based on the type of load in the system.

For Three-Phase AC Systems: The voltage drop calculation is:
Voltage Drop (V) = (√3 × Length × Current × Resistivity) ÷ (Area × Power Factor)
The square root of 3 (√3) accounts for the three-phase configuration in the system.

By inputting the necessary parameters such as wire type, length, current, and voltage, you can use the calculator to find out the voltage drop for your specific system. Ensure you select the correct parameters for accurate results.