Voltage Drop Pro
How to Use the Voltage Drop Calculator
Follow these simple steps to calculate the voltage drop and determine if your cable size is sufficient for your electrical load:
- Select Material: Choose between Copper (Cu) or Aluminum (Al). Copper is more conductive, while Aluminum is often used for main service lines due to lower cost.
- Choose System Type: Select Single Phase (common for home appliances) or Three Phase (common for industrial motors and heavy machinery).
- Enter Supply Voltage: Input the source voltage (e.g., 230V for standard single-phase or 415V for three-phase systems).
- Input Load Current: Enter the total current in Amperes (Amps) that the equipment will draw.
- Enter Cable Length: Input the one-way distance from the power source to the load in meters.
- Select Cable Size: Enter the cross-sectional area of the wire in sq mm (e.g., 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6).
- Calculate: Click the button to see the results.
Understanding Your Results
- Safe (Green): If the voltage drop is less than 3%, your cable selection is efficient and safe for most appliances.
- Warning (Red): If the drop is above 3%, you should consider increasing the cable size (sq mm) to prevent overheating and equipment malfunction.
Why Voltage Drop Matters
Voltage drop occurs when the electrical resistance in the wires causes the voltage at the end of the run to be lower than at the source. Excessive drop can cause:
- Motors to overheat and burn out.
- Lights to flicker or appear dim.
- Electronic devices to reset or malfunction.
- Higher electricity bills due to energy lost as heat in the wires.