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Voltage drop for feeders/branch circuits

This voltage drop calculator is based on public domain formulae and will provide an approximate value for use in project design.

Estimated Voltage Drop Calculator
Estimated Voltage Drop Calculator

The National Electrical Code Articles 210.19(A)(1) FPN No.4 and 215.2(A)(3) FPN No.2 suggest that a design with no more than 3% voltage drop for feeders and no more than a total of 5% voltage drop in branch circuits to the farthest outlet will “provide reasonable efficiency of operation”.

Even though FPN’s in this case are not code requirements but recommendations, it is still good engineering practice to closely follow these guidelines and indeed exceed them where needed.

In fact Section 647, Sensitive Electronic Equipment. requires (not an FPN) that voltage drop for feeders and branches shall not exceed 1.5% and 2.5%. respectively and shall not exceed 1% and 2% respectively for cord-connected equipment. Fire pumps have additional maximum voltage drop requirements and these are outlined in Section 695.

If you do increase the size of your conductors to accommodate for voltage drop, remember to check if the new conductor size is compatible with the lugs to which they will be attached.

The circuit breaker manufacturers make available the acceptable conductor sizes. and in some cases offer optional larger lugs for this purpose. Also, Article 250 requires that if the conductors are upsized, the grounding conductor must also be upsized proportionately.

The unity power factor section of this program is based on the approximate voltage drop formula:

Vd = (2·K·Q·I·D) / CM for single phase and

Vd = (1.732·K·Q·I·D) / CM for three phase,

where:

  • K equals 12.9 for Copper and 21.2 for Aluminum.
  • Q is the ratio of Rac/Rdc for conductors larger than 2/0 (this takes into account skin effect at larger conductor sizes).
  • I is the current in amperes.
  • D is the one-way circuit distance in feet.
  • CM is the conductor cross section in circular mils.

This equation assumes a power factor of 1.0, conductor temperature of 75°C, and individual conductors run in steel conduit. The 85% power factor section is based on NEC Chapter 9, Tables 8 and 9.

Software:Estimated Voltage Drop Calculator – SIEMENS
Version:1.1
Developer:SIEMENS
Size:67 KB
Price:Free
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Estimated Voltage Drop Calculator
Estimated Voltage Drop Calculator

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13 Comments


  1. MOHAMMEDAYAZ MOHAMMEDSHARIF SHAIKH
    Nov 13, 2022

    Thanks for sharing


  2. BALA
    Nov 07, 2022

    The National Electrical Code Articles 210.19(A)(1) FPN No.4 and 215.2(A)(3) FPN No.2 suggest that a design with no more than 3 and no more than a total of to the farthest outlet will .

    In fact Section 647, Sensitive Electronic Equipment. requires (not an FPN) that voltage drop for feeders and branches shall not exceed 1.5% and 2.5%. respectively and shall not exceed 1% and 2% respectively for cord-connected equipment. Fire pumps have additional maximum voltage drop requirements and these are outlined in Section 695.

    If you do increase the size of your conductors to accommodate for voltage drop, remember to check if the new conductor size is compatible with the lugs to which they will be attached.

    The circuit breaker manufacturers make available the acceptable conductor sizes. and in some cases offer optional larger lugs for this purpose. Also, Article 250 requires that if the conductors are upsized, the grounding conductor must also be upsized proportionately.

    This equation assumes a power factor of 1.0, conductor temperature of 75°C, and individual conductors run in steel conduit. The 85% power factor section is based on NEC Chapter 9, Tables 8 and 9.


  3. Ahmed Mohamed
    Apr 05, 2022

    Thanks in advance


  4. johnfu
    Mar 19, 2022

    Thank you for your calculation tool.


  5. Ramesh Kr. Suthar
    Jun 09, 2021

    How to calculate mv drop with respect to temp rise


  6. Paddy Keys
    Apr 13, 2021

    It would be nice if you would develop software in metric for us in the southern hemisphere
    IE kW and mm2


  7. ihab elhelaly
    Feb 12, 2021

    thanks for your help


  8. Mohammad anwar
    May 29, 2020

    Voltage drop in 11kv 27km long feeder either using dog or osprey conductor for 3000megawatt load?


  9. Alisarhan
    Jun 11, 2019

    Thanks for your effort


  10. behrooz
    Dec 16, 2014

    thanks for software


  11. chandresh
    Dec 27, 2013

    nice


  12. sabin
    Dec 27, 2013

    be happy with u


  13. WIN TUN OO
    Dec 27, 2013

    Thank for free providing such a very useful calculator . We can manage to choose the correct cable size by using this . That will be very very cool .

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