V OLTAGE D ROP C ALCULATION

Albert C. Velasco

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 Objectives

Given all the circuit parameters required, the listeners will be able to:

1. Calculate the voltage drop in each circuit ; and

2. Determine solutions on voltage drop problems;

In accordance with the Philippine Electrical Code 2017.

2 Voltage Drop Calculation

 What to Expect

1. The Ohm’s Law and Power Formula

2. Voltage Drop Calculation
3. Examples

3 Voltage Drop Calculation

 Voltage Drop (VD)

• amount of voltage loss that occurs through all parts of a

circuit due to impedance
• Wasted energy
• Reduction of voltage caused by energy lost at the medium

5 Voltage Drop Calculation

 Effects of VD in Electrical Equipment
• Reduced efficiency
• Heating of apparatus
• Heating of conductors
• High current/ Overload
• Flickering of Lights
• Vibration of motors

6 Voltage Drop Calculation

 The Ohm’s Law (Resistivity)

𝐿
𝑅= ρ
𝐴

where: R is the resistance in ohms

ρ is the resistivity constant of material
L is the length
ρ CU = 1.68 x 10-8 Ω-m A is the cross- sectional area
ρ AL = 2.65 x 10-8 Ω-m

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 The Ohm’s Law (Resistivity)

𝐿
𝑅α
𝐴

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 The Ohm’s Law

𝐸 𝐸
𝑅= 𝑅α
𝐼 𝐼

where: R is the resistance in ohms

E is the voltage, in volts, across the
resistance
I is the current that passes through the
resistance in amperes

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 Power Formula
𝐸*
𝑃=
𝑅
Normal, E = 230 V Abnormal voltage
E = 218.5 V
VD = 11.5 (%VD = 5%)
230* 218.5*
𝑃= = 5.29 kW 𝑃= = 4.77 kW
10 10

% Power Reduction = 9.83 %

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 Addressing Voltage Drop Problems

1. Reduce load
2. Break the circuit into several parts
3. Shorten circuit run
4. Increase wire size
5. Use higher efficient devices
6. Replace conductors with higher conductivity*

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 Voltage Drop Formula

General Formula
Common Types of Circuits
1. Single- Phase
VD=ILoad Zwire
2. Three- Phase
where:

𝑍 = √(𝑅 * + 𝑋 * )

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 Voltage Drop Formula
Single- Phase Circuits

𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 2𝐼 𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
where:
Z is the wire impedance, Ω
L is the total length of wire, m
N is the number of sets

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 Voltage Drop Formula
Three- Phase Circuits

𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 𝐼 3𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
where:
Z is the wire impedance, Ω
L is the total length of wire, m
N is the number of sets
Voltage drop in 3- phase system uses the Line to Neutral

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 2.15.1.2 Minimum Rating and Size (Feeders)

FPN No. 2: Conductors for feeders, as defined in Art. 1.1, sized to

prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of
power, heating, and lighting loads, or combination of such loads, and
where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch
circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will provide
reasonable efficiency of operation.

Philippine Electrical Code 2017, page 51

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 2.10.2.2 Minimum Ampacity and Size (Branch Circuit)

FPN No. 4: Conductors for branch circuit, as defined in Art. 1.1, sized
to prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of
power, heating, and lighting loads, or combination of such loads, and
where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch
circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will provide
reasonable efficiency of operation.

Philippine Electrical Code 2017, page 42

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 Example 1
230 V, 1-Ø 𝑍 = √(𝑅 * + 𝑋 * )

𝑍 = √[ 0.78 * + 0.065 * ]
2-8mm2 THHN, 10m
32A 𝒁 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟖𝟐𝟕 𝜴

MSE 𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 2 𝐼𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
2-2mm2 THHN, 20m 10 1
𝑉𝐷 = 2(32)(0.7827)( )( )
305 1

M 2 hp, 230V, 12A 𝑽𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟒𝟐 𝐕

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 PEC 2017, page 942
8.0 mm2

X = 0.065 Ω

R = 0.78 Ω

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 Example 1
230 V, 1-Ø
𝑉𝐷 = 1.642 V

2-8mm2 THHN, 10m 𝑉𝑀𝑆𝐸 = 230 − 1.642 = 𝟐𝟐𝟖. 𝟑𝟓𝟖 𝑽

32A
MSE (228.358 V) 𝑉𝐷
%𝑉𝐷 =
𝑉𝑆
2-2mm2 THHN, 20m 1.642
%𝑉𝐷 = 100 = 0.71% (𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑)
230

M 2 hp, 230V, 12A

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 230 V, 1-Ø

2-8mm2 THHN
32A
MSE

2-2mm2 THHN

M 2 hp, 230V, 12A

PEC 2017, page 942

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 Example 1
230 V, 1-Ø 𝑍 = √(𝑅 * + 𝑋 * )

𝑍 = √[ 3.1 * + 0.073 * ]
2-8mm2 THHN, 10m
32A 𝒁 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟖𝟔 𝜴

MSE (228.358 V) 𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 2 𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
2-2mm2 THHN, 20m 20 1
𝑉𝐷 = 2(12)(3.10086)( )( )
305 1

M 2 hp, 230V, 12A 𝑽𝑫 = 𝟒. 𝟖𝟖 v

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 Example 1
230 V, 1-Ø
𝑉𝐷 = 4.88 v
𝑉𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 228.358 − 4.88 = 𝟐𝟐𝟑. 𝟒𝟕𝟖 𝑽
2-8mm2 THHN, 10m
32A
𝑉𝐷𝑇
MSE (228.358 V) %𝑉𝐷 =
𝑉𝑆
(230 − 223.478)
2-2mm2 THHN, 20m %𝑉𝐷 = 100
230
%𝑉𝐷 = 2.84% (passed)
M 2 hp, 230V, 12A
(223.478 V)

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 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø

3-38mm2 THHN, 25m

105A
MSE

3-8mm2 THHN, 20m

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A

PEC 2017, page 942

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 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø 𝑍 = √(𝑅 * + 𝑋 * )

𝑍 = √[ 0.16 * + 0.057 * ]
3-38mm2 THHN, 25m
105A 𝒁 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟗𝟖𝟓 𝜴

MSE 𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 𝐼 3 𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
3-8mm2 THHN, 20m 25 1
𝑉𝐷 = 105( 3)(0.16985)( )( )
305 1

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A 𝑽𝑫 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟑𝟐 v

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 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø
𝑉𝐷 = 2.532 v

3-38mm2 THHN, 25m 𝑉𝑀𝑆𝐸 = 230 − 2.532 = 𝟐𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟔𝟖 𝑽

105A
MSE (227.468 V) 𝑉𝐷
%𝑉𝐷 =
𝑉𝑆
3-8mm2 THHN, 20m 2.532
%𝑉𝐷 = 100 = 1.10% (𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑)
230

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A

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 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø

3-38mm2 THHN, 25m

105A
MSE

3-8mm2 THHN, 20m

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A

PEC 2017, page 942

26 Voltage Drop Calculation

 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø 𝑍 = √(𝑅 * + 𝑋 * )

𝑍 = √[ 0.78 * + 0.065 * ]
3-38mm2 THHN, 25m
105A 𝒁 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟖𝟐𝟕 𝜴

MSE (227.468 V) 𝐿 1
𝑉𝐷 = 𝐼 3 𝑍 ( )( )
305 𝑁
3-8mm2 THHN, 20m 20 1
𝑉𝐷 = 28( 3)(0.7827) )( )
305 1

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A 𝑽𝑫 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟖𝟗𝟏 v

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 Example 2
230 V, 3-Ø
𝑉𝐷 = 2.4891 v

3-38mm2 THHN, 25m 𝑉𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 227.468 − 2.4891 = 𝟐𝟐𝟒. 𝟗𝟕𝟖𝟗 𝑽

105A
MSE (227.468 V) 𝑉𝐷
%𝑉𝐷 =
𝑉𝑆
3-8mm2 THHN, 20m (230 − 224.9789)
%𝑉𝐷 = 100
230

M 10 hp, 230V, 28A %𝑉𝐷 = 2.18% (𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑)

(224.9789 V)

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 Example 3

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 Summary

1. Discussed the Ohm’s Law

2. Explain the relation of power formula
3. Solved some VD problems

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 References

1. Philippine Electrical Code 2017

2. https://en.wikipedia.org
3. https://electrical-engineering-portal.com

31 Voltage Drop Calculation

 Assessment

1. Which of the following has greatest voltage drop?

a. 1- ⌀ circuit, 100 m run, 10 A, 22 mm2 TW wire, 25 mm dia. uPVC
b. 1- ⌀ circuit, 50 m run, 10 A, 22 mm2 TW wire, 25 mm dia. uPVC
c. 3- ⌀ circuit, 100 m run, 10 A, 22 mm2 TW wire, 25 mm dia. uPVC
d. 3- ⌀ circuit, 50 m run, 20 A, 22 mm2 TW wire, 25 mm dia. uPVC

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 Assessment

2. A voltage drop of 5% and below from ______ to ______ is considered

passed, as per PEC 2017.
a. Service point to main service equipment
b. Mains service equipment to the last outlet of the branch circuit
c. Panel board to the last outlet of the branch circuit
d. Service point to the last outlet of the branch circuit

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 End of Presentation

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