Save 15% on Pro Premium Plan with discount code: UX778 (expires

Premium Membership on September 31st). Study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and MORE INFORMATION »
papers.

Cables / Energy and Power

4 practical approaches to minimize voltage drop problems

By Edvard February, 25th

2015

Home / Technical Articles / 4 practical approaches to minimize voltage drop problems

What NEC states for max. voltage drop?

The NEC states in an Informational Note that a maximum voltage drop of 3% for branch circuit conductors, and 5% for feeder and branch
circuit conductors together, will provide reasonable efficiency of operation for general use circuits. For sensitive electronic loads, circuits should
be designed for a maximum of 1.5% voltage drop for branch circuits at full load, and 2.5% voltage drop for feeder and branch circuits
combined at full load.

44 practical
practical approaches
approaches to
to minimize
minimize voltage
voltage drop
drop problems
problems (photo
(photo credit:
credit: E.
E. Csanyi)
Csanyi)

Four practical approaches can be used to minimize voltage drop problems:

1. Increasing the number or size of conductors

2. Reducing the load current on the circuit
3. Decreasing conductor length, and
4. Decreasing conductor temperature

1. Increase the Number or Size of Conductors

Parallel or oversized conductors have lower resistance per unit length than the Code-required minimum-sized conductors, reducing voltage
drop and increasing energy efficiency with lower losses than using the Code-required minimum-sized conductor.

In data centers and other sensitive installations, it is not uncommon to find conductor gauges for phase, neutral, and ground
exceeding Code minimums, and a separate branch circuit installed for each large or sensitive load.

To limit neutral-to-ground voltage drop, install a separate, full-sized neutral conductor for each phase conductor in single-phase branch circuit
applications.

For three-phase feeder circuits, do not downsize the grounded conductor or neutral. For
three-phase circuits where significant non-linear loads are anticipated, it is recommended to
install grounded or neutral conductors with at least double the ampacity of each phase conductor.

Go back to Index ↑

2. Decrease Load Current

Limiting the amount of equipment that can be connected to a single circuit will limit the load current on the circuit. Limit the number of
receptacles on each branch circuit to three to six.

Install individual branch circuits to sensitive electronic loads or loads with a high inrush current.

For residential applications, install outdoor receptacles not to exceed 50 linear feet between receptacles, with a minimum of one outdoor
receptacle on each side of the house, and with individual branch circuits with a minimum of 12 AWG to each receptacle.

Go back to Index ↑

3. Decrease Conductor Length

Decreasing conductor length reduces the resistance of the conductor, which reduces voltage drop. Circuit lengths are usually fixed, but some
control can be exercised at the design stage if panels or subpanels are located as close as possible to the loads, especially for sensitive
electronic equipment.

Go back to Index ↑

4. Adjust Conductor Temperature

The conductor temperature is in turn dependent on each of the three factors above, since more heavily loaded circuits will run hotter.

Conductor temperature is a major factor in conductor resistance, and therefore in voltage drop. The temperature coefficient of electrical
resistance for copper, α, is 0.00323/°C, or a resistance change of about 0.3% for each °C of temperature change. The effect of
temperature can be determined by the following equation:

R2 = R1 [1 + α · (T2 – T1)]

Where R1 is the resistance (Ω) at temperature T1 and R2 is the resistance at temperature T2.

Temperature T1 is often referenced at 75°C. As noted, voltage drop is a particular concern at high conductor loadings, where conductor
temperatures will also be high.

Go back to Index ↑

Examples //
The interactions between conductor sizes, load currents, and conductor lengths at various supply voltages are shown in Table 1 below.

The combinations of various load currents – from 8 to 30 amperes – and supply voltages – from 120 to 480 volts – are shown in the left
two columns of the table. The next four columns show the maximum circuit lengths (one-way) for four different conductor sizes to attain a 3%
voltage drop. The last four columns are maximum lengths for an allowable 1.5% voltage drop.

For example, a 12 ampere load in a 120 volt circuit on a 14 AWG conductor will exceed a 3% voltage drop (3.6 volts) if the circuit is
longer than 49 feet from source to load.

If the conductor is upsized to 12 AWG the allowable distance increases significantly to 78 feet each way (an increase of 59%). If the load
is increased to an allowable maximum of 15 amps for 14 AWG conductor, the allowable length is only 39 feet, and moving to a 12 AWG
conductor would increase this to 62 feet (also an increase in length of 59%).

The 1.5% data values are given for situations when it is necessary to comply with NEC 647.4(D).

Verify the equipment’s actual requirements whenever possible. The much tighter 1.5% voltage drop allowance on the right side of Table 1
cuts the allowable lengths to only 1/2 of their values at 3% voltage drop. Conductor upsizing is often mandated for the protection of
sensitive electronic equipment. Voltage drop can be minimized if the panel or subpanel can be located as close as possible to the point of use.

Another measure is to install sufficient circuits to avoid high current levels on any one circuit. Where loads can be split onto
separate circuits, the reduced load per circuit will enhance quality and reliability.

Perusal of Table 1 inevitably leads to the conclusion that voltage drop is too often ignored.

For example, the lengths of many branch circuits in 14 AWG wire exceed even the 3%
voltage drop of 39 feet, not to mention the tighter 1.5% drop of 20 feet. When this happens, the
integrity of both the wiring and of many loads is put in jeopardy.

Table 1 – Maximum Recommended Lengths of Single-Phase Branch Circuits, as a Function of Load Current, Supply Voltage, and
Conductor Size, for Both 3% and 1.5% Voltage Drops.

Maximum
Maximum Recommended
Recommended Lengths
Lengths of
of Single-Phase
Single-Phase Branch
Branch Circuits,
Circuits, as
as aa Function
Function of
of Load
Load
Current, Supply Voltage, and Conductor Size, for Both 3% and 1.5% Voltage Drops
Current, Supply Voltage, and Conductor Size, for Both 3% and 1.5% Voltage Drops

Notes regarding above table //

Branch circuit lengths shown in the table are half the calculated distance from the V = IR Ohm’s Law formula, rounded to the nearest 1-
foot increment. For example, the calculated value for 14 AWG at a load current of 15 amps and a supplied voltage of 120 volts using the
value of 3.07 Ω/1,000 feet for a 3% drop (or 3.6 volts) is 78 feet. Since the conductors must carry the current over and back, the allowable
one-way distance from source to load is 39 feet.

For convenient use of the NEC tables, loads are assumed to be purely resistive, direct-current loads. Alternating current values differ
only slightly. Harmonics or inductive loads may accentuate voltage drop, and decrease recommended circuit lengths.

Calculations are based on resistance values found in NEC Chapter 9, Table 8 for solid, uncoated copper conductors. For 14 AWG, the
resistance is 3.07 Ω/1,000 feet, for 12 AWG it is 1.93 Ω/1,000 feet, for 10 AWG it is 1.21 Ω/1,000 feet, and for 8 AWG (stranded) it is
0.778 Ω/1,000 feet. Conductor temperatures higher than 75°C (167°F) will increase these resistances, and vice versa.

Reference: Recommended Practices for Designing and Installing Copper Building Wire Systems – Copper Development Association Inc.

Related EEP's content with sponsored links

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up
your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.

MORE INFORMATION

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high
power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in
AutoCAD programming.

11 Comments

Prime Zunga

SEP 01, 2020

I thank u a lot,its a good article but I have a question to ask.What is the real percentage of voltage drop recommended on
3phase

Reply

Pieter

MAR 20, 2019

Thanks for info.When i rewire a house or factory it will come in very handy.

Reply

Rahul

DEC 13, 2018

can we use intermediate jb also to reduce voltage drop.

Reply

Chirantan Gupta

NOV 27, 2018

I have often seen people using breaker rated current to calculate voltage drop. Always, the actual load current should be used.
Secondly, an attempt should be made to get the correct power factor, if the IEEE 141 formula for calculating AC voltage drop. I
didnt see any introduction to the IEEE formula here. Lastly, it has been highlited here that conductor temp. can be reduced. Its
a challange to calculate the actual conductor temp. based on actual load current, which can be used to calculate the actual
conductor resistance. I had this question for the author: If we have enough evidence to prove that a pump/compressor break
HP is lower than the nameplate rating, can we proportionately reduce the motor nameplate rating and use for voltage drop
calculations?

Reply

Luca Rigazzi

OCT 12, 2018

Another solution to minimize the voltage drop is to use sandwich type busbars instead of cables.

Reply

Muntaser

MAR 06, 2017

what about Capacitor bank it can improve the voltage drop and reduce the losses.

Reply

Ravi Beniwal

APR 10, 2015

Need to upgrade my knowledge trough eep

Reply

Munir

MAR 04, 2015

in all your solutions the cost would increase tremendously leaving project extra loaded. suggest such a solution which should
remain initial cost having no burden on project cost.

Reply

Ernesto

FEB 25, 2015

It is an informative for all electrical practitioner

Reply

Ina

FEB 25, 2015

Hi Edvard,

Great article! I am a bit confused about the first note on Table 1 regarding the halving of the distance. Would you not have a
separate conductor for power and signal? When would you have current going to the load and back on the same conductor?

Thanks!

Reply

Lazarov

FEB 25, 2015

Plase include metric/europe cables in your articles.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Tell us what you're thinking... we care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in
use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful
conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

YOUR REAL NAME *

EMAIL ADDRESS *

Prove that you are not R2D2. Solve some math:

Six  +  3  =  

SUBMIT COMMENT

© 2021 EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions