Voltage Drop Equation:
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The Voltage Drop Calculation Formula according to PEC (Philippine Electrical Code) is used to determine the voltage loss in an electrical circuit. It follows Ohm's Law: V = I × R, where V is voltage drop, I is current, and R is resistance.
The calculator uses the PEC voltage drop equation:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental electrical equation calculates the voltage loss across a conductor based on the current flowing through it and the conductor's resistance.
Details: Proper voltage drop calculation is essential for ensuring electrical system efficiency, preventing equipment malfunction, and meeting PEC requirements for maximum allowable voltage drop in circuits.
Tips: Enter current in amperes and resistance in ohms. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the maximum allowable voltage drop according to PEC?
A: PEC typically allows a maximum voltage drop of 3% for feeders and 3% for branch circuits, totaling 5% maximum overall.
Q2: Why is voltage drop calculation important?
A: Excessive voltage drop can cause equipment to operate inefficiently, overheat, or malfunction, and may violate electrical code requirements.
Q3: What factors affect conductor resistance?
A: Conductor material, cross-sectional area, length, and temperature all affect the resistance value used in calculations.
Q4: How does voltage drop affect electrical devices?
A: Insufficient voltage can cause motors to overheat, lights to dim, and electronic devices to malfunction or shut down.
Q5: When should voltage drop calculations be performed?
A: Voltage drop calculations should be performed during electrical system design and whenever circuit modifications are made to ensure compliance with PEC standards.