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Voltage Drop Calculator

Electrical resistance causes voltage to diminish as electric current flows through long conductors. This calculator computes voltage drop and ensures compliance with the US National Electrical Code (NEC) maximum recommended 3% branch circuit drop.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptable voltage drop according to the NEC?

The National Electrical Code (NEC Article 210.19) recommends that voltage drop should not exceed 3% on branch circuits, and total combined drop on both feeder and branch circuits should not exceed 5% for optimal equipment efficiency.

How do you fix excessive voltage drop?

The primary solution is upsizing the conductor to a larger wire gauge (e.g., upgrading from 12 AWG to 10 AWG or 8 AWG), which reduces conductor resistance.