1. What is High Voltage Drop?

High voltage drop refers to the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit between the source and load. It's calculated using the formula: Drop = √3 × I × L × R, where I is current, L is length, and R is resistance per unit length.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the high voltage drop equation:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( L \) — Length in kilometers (km)
• \( R \) — Resistance in ohms per kilometer (ohm/km)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The equation calculates the voltage drop in a three-phase system accounting for current, conductor length, and resistance.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Calculating voltage drop is crucial for ensuring proper equipment operation, minimizing power loss, and maintaining system efficiency in electrical distribution systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes, length in kilometers, and resistance in ohms per kilometer. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is √3 used in the formula?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase AC systems. For single-phase systems, this factor would be 2.

Q2: What is an acceptable voltage drop?
A: Typically, voltage drop should be less than 3% for feeders and 5% for branch circuits, but specific requirements may vary by application.

Q3: How does conductor size affect voltage drop?
A: Larger conductors have lower resistance (R), resulting in less voltage drop for the same current and distance.

Q4: Does temperature affect voltage drop?
A: Yes, resistance increases with temperature, which would increase voltage drop. Calculations are typically done at standard temperature (usually 20°C or 25°C).

Q5: Can this be used for DC systems?
A: For DC systems, use Drop = I × L × R (without the √3 factor).