G - Sizing and protection of conductors

3 Determination of voltage drop

Example 2 (see Fig. G32)

A 3-phase 4-wire copper line of 70 mm2 c.s.a. and a length of 50 m passes a
current of 150 A. The line supplies, among other loads, 3 single-phase lighting
circuits, each of 2.5 mm2 c.s.a. copper 20 m long, and each passing 20 A.
It is assumed that the currents in the 70 mm2 line are balanced and that the three
lighting circuits are all connected to it at the same point.
What is the voltage drop at the end of the lighting circuits?
Solution:
b Voltage drop in the 4-wire line:
ΔU
ΔU% = 100
Un
Fig. G30 shows 0.59 V/A/km
ΔU line = 0.59 x 150 x 0.05 = 4.4 V phase-to-phase

which gives: 4.4 = 2.54 V phase to neutral.

3

b Voltage drop in any one of the lighting single-phase circuits:

ΔU for a single-phase circuit = 19 x 20 x 0.02 = 7.6 V
The total voltage drop is therefore
7.6 + 2.54 = 10.1 V
G22 10.1 V
x 100 = 4.4 %
230 V
This value is satisfactory, being less than the maximum permitted voltage drop of
6%.
DB422314_EN.eps

50 m / 70 mm² Cu
IB = 150 A

20 m / 2.5 mm² Cu
IB = 20 A

Fig. G32 Exemple 2

Electrical installation guide 2018

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