Voltage Drop Calculator

Why It Matters

Voltage drop creates heat, wastes energy, and can prevent equipment from running correctly. The National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for branch circuits to ensure efficiency.

Factors Affecting Drop

• Wire Gauge: Thinner wires (higher AWG numbers) satisfy more resistance, causing more drop.
• Distance: Longer runs increase total resistance.
• Material: Aluminum has higher resistance than copper for the same thickness.
• Current: Higher amps cause more drop (Ohm's Law: V = I × R).