• CONTENT

Code Calculations
Feb. 1, 2000
Last month, we covered how the NEC addresses voltage
drop through a discussion of six Fine Print Notes
(FPNs) and several specific rules. This month, we’ll
review examples demonstrating how to calculate the
voltage drop of conductors using Ohm’s Law or the
Voltage Drop (VD) Formula. Ohm’s Law method:
single-phase only. You can determine voltage drop of
the circuit conductors by multiplying the current
Mike Holt

Note: This article is based on the 1999 NEC.

Last month, we covered how the NEC addresses
voltage drop through a discussion of six Fine Print
Notes (FPNs) and several specific rules. This month,
we’ll review examples demonstrating how to
calculate the voltage drop of conductors using
Ohm’s Law or the Voltage Drop (VD) Formula.
Ohm’s Law method: single-phase
only
You can determine voltage drop of the circuit
conductors by multiplying the current of the circuit
by the total resistance of the circuit conductors: VD
= I x R. “I” is equal to the load in amperes and “R” is
equal to the resistance of the conductor as listed in
Chapter 9, Table 8 for direct current circuit, or in
Chapter 9, Table 9 for alternating current circuits.
Note: You can’t use Ohm’s Law method for 3-phase
circuits.
Single-phase, 120V example
What’s the voltage drop of two No. 12 conductors
that supply a 16A, 120V load, located 100 ft from the
power supply (200 ft of wire)? Refer to Fig 1.
Fig. 1. This example shows how to use Ohm's Law to calculate voltage drop of the
circuit conductors in a single-phase, 120V circuit.

(a) 3.2V
(b) 6.4V
(c) 9.6V
(d) 12.8V
Answer: (b) 6.4V
Voltage Drop = I x R, where “I” is equal to 16A and
“R” is equal to 0.4 ohms [Chapter 9, Table 9: (2
ohm/1000 ft)2200 ft42200 ft]
Therefore, voltage drop = 16A x 0.4 ohms or
Voltage drop = 6.4V, (6.4V/120V = 5.3% volts drop),
and
Operating voltage = 120V - 6.4V or
Operating voltage = 113.6V
VD Formula method
If you’ve already installed the circuit conductors,
determine the voltage drop of the conductors by
using one of the following formulas:
VD = 2 x K x Q x I x D/CM (single-phase) or
VD = 1.732 x K x Q x I x D/CM (3-phase), where “VD”
= Volts Dropped: We express the voltage drop of the
circuit conductors in volts.
“K” = Direct Current Constant: This is a constant
representing the direct current resistance for a 1000
circular mils conductor that’s 1000 ft long, at an
operating temperature of 75°C. The direct current
constant value you should use for copper is 12.9
ohms and 21.2 ohms for aluminum conductors. The
“K” constant is suitable for alternating current
circuits, where the conductors do not exceed No. 1/0.
“Q” = Alternating Current Adjustment Factor: You
must adjust alternating current circuits No. 2/0 and
larger for the effects of self-induction (skin effect).
You can find the “Q” adjustment factor by dividing
alternating current resistance as listed in Chapter 9,
Table 9, by the direct current resistance as listed in
Chapter 9, Table 8.
“I” = Amperes: The load in amperes at 100%, not
125% for motors or continuous loads.
“D” = Distance: The distance the load is located from
the power supply—not the total length of the circuit
conductors.
“CM” = Circular-Mils: The circular mils of the circuit
conductor as listed in Chapter 9, Table 8.
Single-phase example
What is the voltage drop for a No. 6 conductor that
supplies a 44A, 240V, single-phase load located 160
ft from the panelboard?
(a) 4.25V
(b) 6.9V
(c) 3%
(d) 5%
Answer: (b) 6.9V
VD = 2 x K x I x D/CM, where
K = 12.9 ohms (copper),
I = 44A,
D = 160 ft, and
CM = 26,240 circular mils (Chapter 9, Table 8)

Therefore, VD = 2 wires x 12.9 ohms x 44A x 160

ft/26,240 circular mils, or
V = 46.9V, (6.9V /240V = 2.9% volts drop), and
Operating voltage = 240V - 6.9V or
Operating voltage = 233.1V
Three-phase example
Suppose you have a 3-phase 208V, 36kVA load
(100A) located 80 ft from the panelboard wired with
No. 1 aluminum conductors. What is the voltage
drop of the conductors to the equipment disconnect?
See Fig. 2.

Fig. 2. This example shows how to use the VD Formula to calculate voltage drop of
the circuit conductors in a 3-phase, 208V circuit.

(a) 3.5V
(b) 7V
(c) 3%
(d) 5%
Answer: (a) 3.5V
VD = 1.732 x K x I x D/CM, where
K = 21.2 ohms (aluminum),
I = 100A,
D = 80 ft, and
CM = 83,690 circular mils (Chapter 9, Table 8)
Therefore, VD = 1.732 x 21.2 ohms x 100A x 80
ft/83,690 circular mils or
VD = 3.5V (3.5V/208V = 1.7%), and
Operating voltage = 208V - 3.5V or
Operating voltage = 204.5V