Voltage Drop Recommendation Study
Method & Standards
Voltage drop is calculated as a screening check using conductor DC resistance with temperature correction per conductor material. This page does not model full AC impedance or power-factor reactance effects:
VD% = (√3 × I × R × L) / V × 100 [3-phase] VD% = (2 × I × R × L) / V × 100 [single-phase]
where I = load current (A), R = conductor resistance per unit length (Ω/m at operating temperature), L = one-way length (m), and V = nominal line voltage (V).
NEC recommendations (informational notes):
- NEC 215.2(A)(3): Feeder circuits — ≤ 3 % recommended
- NEC 210.19(A)(1): Branch circuits — ≤ 3 % recommended
- Combined feeder + branch — ≤ 5 % recommended
Cables without length, load current, voltage, or conductor-size data are marked Not Evaluated but remain listed in the table. Circuit type (feeder/branch) is determined from the Circuit Type or Service Type field in the cable schedule.