Voltage drop calculation methods with examples explained

in details
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Voltage drop considerations

The first consideration for voltage drop is that under the steady-state conditions of normal load, the voltage at the
utilization equipment must be adequate.

Fine-print notes in the NEC recommend sizing feeders and branch circuits so that the maximum voltage drop in
either does not exceed 3%, with the total voltage drop for feeders and branch circuits not to exceed 5%, for
efficiency of operation.

In addition to steady-state conditions, voltage drop under transient conditions, with sudden high-current, short-time
loads, must be considered.

Voltage drop calculation methods with examples explained in details

The most common loads of this type are motor inrush currents during starting. These loads cause a voltage dip on
the system as a result of the voltage drop in conductors, transformers and generators under the high current. This
voltage dip can have numerous adverse effects on equipment in the system, and equipment and conductors must
be designed and sized to minimize these problems.
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In many cases, reduced-voltage starting of motors to reduce inrush current will be necessary.

Voltage drop formulas

Approximate method
Exact method #1
Exact Method #2

Voltage drop tables

Calculations

Example #1
Example #2

Voltage drop formulas

Lets see two most common methods for calculation of voltage drop approximate and exact methods:

1. Approximate method

Voltage drop EVD = IR cos + IX sin where abbreviations are same as below Exact Method.

2. Exact method #1

If sending end voltage and load PF are known.

where:

EVD Voltage drop, line-to-neutral, volts

Es Source voltage, line-to-neutral, volts

I Line (Load) current, amperes
R Circuit (branch, feeder) resistance, ohms
X Circuit (branch, feeder) reactance, ohms
cos Power factor of load, decimal
sin Reactive factor of load, decimal

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If the receiving end voltage, load current and power factor (PF) are known.

ER is the receiving end voltage.

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2. Exact Method #2

If receiving or sending mVA and its power factor are known at a known sending or receiving voltage.

or

where:

ER Receiving line-line voltage in kV

ES Sending line-line voltage in kV

MVAR Receiving three-phase mVA

MVAS Sending three-phase mVA

Z Impedance between and receiving ends

The angle of impedance Z
R Receiving end PF
S Sending end PF, positive when lagging

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Voltage drop tables

Tables for calculating voltage drop for copper and aluminum conductors, in either magnetic (steel) or nonmagnetic
(aluminum or non-metallic) conduit, are shown below. These tables give voltage drop per ampere per 100 ft (30 m)
of circuit length.

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The circuit length is from the beginning point to the end point of the circuit regardless of the number of conductors.

Tables are based on the following conditions:

Condition #1

Three or four single conductors in a conduit, random lay. For three-conductor cable, actual voltage drop will be
approximately the same for small conductor sizes and high power factors. Actual voltage drop will be from 10 to
15% lower for larger conductor sizes and lower power factors.

Condition #2

Voltage drops are phase-to-phase, for three-phase, three-wire or three-phase, four-wire 60 Hz circuits. For other
circuits, multiply voltage drop given in the tables by the following correction factors:

Correction factors table:

Three-phase, four-wire, phase-to-neutral 0.577

Single-phase, two-wire 1.155

Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-phase 1.155

Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-neutral 0.577

Condition #3

Voltage drops are for a conductor temperature of 75 C. They may be used for conductor temperatures between
60 C and 90 C with reasonable accuracy (within 5%). However, correction factors in Table 1 can be applied if
desired. The values in the table are in percent of total voltage drop.

For conductor temperature of 60 C SUBTRACT the percentage from Table 1.

For conductor temperature of 90 C ADD the percentage from Table 1.

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Calculations

To calculate voltage drop:

1. Multiply current in amperes by the length of the

Table 1 Temperature correction factors for voltage drop
circuit in feet to get ampere-feet. Circuit length
is the distance from the point of origin to the
load end of the circuit.
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 2. Divide by 100.
3. Multiply by proper voltage drop value in tables. Result is voltage drop.

Example #1

A 460 V, 100 hp motor, running at 80% PF, draws 124 A full-load current. It is fed by three 2/0 copper conductors
in steel conduit. The feeder length is 150 ft (46 m).

What is the voltage drop in the feeder? What is the percentage voltage drop?

124 A 150ft (46m) = 18,600 A-ft

Divided by 100 = 186
Table: 2/0 copper, magnetic conduit,
80% PF = 0.0187
186 x 0.0187 = 3.48 V drop
3.48/460 x 100 = 0.76% drop

Conclusion: 0.76% voltage drop is very acceptable. (See NEC Article 215, which suggests that a
voltage drop of 3% or less on a feeder is acceptable.)

To select minimum conductor size:

1. Determine maximum desired i voltage drop, in volts.

2. Divide voltage drop by ii (amperes x circuit feet).
3. Multiply by 100.
4. Find nearest lower voltage drop value in tables , in correct column for type of conductor, conduit and
power factor. Read conductor size for that value.
5. Where this results in an oversized cable, verify cable lug sizes for molded case circuit breakers and fusible 4
switches. Where lug size available is exceeded, go to next higher rating.

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Example #2

A three-phase, four-wire lighting feeder on a 208 V circuit is 250 ft (76.2 m) long. The load is 175 A at 90% PF . It is
desired to use aluminum 7 conductors in aluminum conduit.

What size conductor is required to limit the voltage drop to 2% phase-to-phase?

VD = 2/100 208 = 4.16 V

4.16 / (175 250) = 0.0000951
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 0.0000951 100= 0.00951
In table, under aluminum conductors, nonmagnetic conduit, 90% PF, the nearest lower value is 0.0091.
Conductor required is 12 500 kcmil.
(Size 4/0 THW would have adequate ampacity, but the voltage drop would be excessive.)

Table 2 Voltage DropVolts per Ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-Phase, Phase-to-Phase

Table 2 Voltage drop Volts per ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-phase, phase-to-phase

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Reference // Power Distribution Systems by EATON

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