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Voltage Drop Calculation Methods With Examples Explained in Details PDF

This document discusses methods for calculating voltage drop in electrical systems. It provides three methods for calculating voltage drop: an approximate method using the formula EVD = IR cosθ + IX sinθ, and two exact methods using different known variables. It also includes tables listing voltage drop per ampere per 100 feet for different conductor materials and installation configurations. Finally, it provides two examples calculating voltage drop for a motor feeder and a lighting feeder to demonstrate how to use the tables and methods.

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427 views8 pages

Voltage Drop Calculation Methods With Examples Explained in Details PDF

This document discusses methods for calculating voltage drop in electrical systems. It provides three methods for calculating voltage drop: an approximate method using the formula EVD = IR cosθ + IX sinθ, and two exact methods using different known variables. It also includes tables listing voltage drop per ampere per 100 feet for different conductor materials and installation configurations. Finally, it provides two examples calculating voltage drop for a motor feeder and a lighting feeder to demonstrate how to use the tables and methods.

Uploaded by

Terex14253
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Voltage drop calculation

methods with examples


explained in details
By Edvard | March, 3rd 2017 | 7 comments | Save to PDF
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Voltage drop considerations


The first consideration for voltage drop is that under the steady-state
conditions of normal load, the voltage at the utilization equipment must be
adequate.
Voltage drop calculation methods with examples explained in details
Fine-print notes in the NEC recommend sizing feeders and branch circuits so
that the maximum voltage drop in either does not exceed 3%, with the total
voltage drop for feeders and branch circuits not to exceed 5%, for
efficiency of operation.
In addition to steady-state conditions, voltage drop under transient
conditions, with sudden high-current, short-time loads, must be considered.

The most common loads of this type are motor inrush currents during
starting. These loads cause a voltage dip on the system as a result of the
voltage drop in conductors, transformers and generators under the high
current. This voltage dip can have numerous adverse effects on equipment
in the system, and equipment and conductors must be designed and sized to
minimize these problems.

In many cases, reduced-voltage starting of motors to reduce inrush


current will be necessary.

 Voltage drop formulas


 Approximate method
 Exact method #1
 Exact Method #2
 Voltage drop tables
 Calculations
 Example #1
 Example #2

Voltage drop formulas


Let’s see two most common methods for calculation of voltage drop –
approximate and exact methods:

1. Approximate method
Voltage drop EVD = IR cosθ + IX sinθ where abbreviations are same as
below “Exact Method”.

2. Exact method #1
If sending end voltage and load PF are known.

where:

 EVD – Voltage drop, line-to-neutral, volts


 Es – Source voltage, line-to-neutral, volts
 I – Line (Load) current, amperes
 R – Circuit (branch, feeder) resistance, ohms
 X – Circuit (branch, feeder) reactance, ohms
 cosθ – Power factor of load, decimal
 sinθ – Reactive factor of load, decimal

If the receiving end voltage, load current and power factor (PF) are known.

ER is the receiving end voltage.


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2. Exact Method #2
If receiving or sending mVA and its power factor are known at a known
sending or receiving voltage.

or

where:

ER – Receiving line-line voltage in kV



ES – Sending line-line voltage in kV

 MVAR – Receiving three-phase mVA
 MVAS – Sending three-phase mVA
 Z – Impedance between and receiving ends
 γ – The angle of impedance Z
 R – Receiving end PF
 S – Sending end PF, positive when lagging
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Voltage drop tables


Tables for calculating voltage drop for copper and aluminum conductors, in
either magnetic (steel) or nonmagnetic (aluminum or non-metallic) conduit,
are shown below. These tables give voltage drop per ampere per 100 ft (30
m) of circuit length.
The circuit length is from the beginning point to the end point of the circuit
regardless of the number of conductors.

Tables are based on the following conditions:

Condition #1
Three or four single conductors in a conduit, random lay. For three-conductor
cable, actual voltage drop will be approximately the same for small conductor
sizes and high power factors. Actual voltage drop will be from 10 to 15%
lower for larger conductor sizes and lower power factors.

Condition #2
Voltage drops are phase-to-phase, for three-phase, three-wire or three-
phase, four-wire 60 Hz circuits. For other circuits, multiply voltage drop given
in the tables by the following correction factors:

Correction factors table:

Three-phase, four-wire, phase-to-neutral × 0.577


Single-phase, two-wire × 1.155
Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-phase × 1.155
Single-phase, three-wire, phase-to-neutral × 0.577

Condition #3
Voltage drops are for a conductor temperature of 75 °C. They may be
used for conductor temperatures between 60 °C and 90 °C with reasonable
accuracy (within ±5%). However, correction factors in Table 1 can be applied
if desired. The values in the table are in percent of total voltage drop.

 For conductor temperature of 60 °C – SUBTRACT the percentage from


Table 1.
 For conductor temperature of 90 °C – ADD the percentage from Table
1.
Table 1 – Temperature
correction factors for voltage drop

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Calculations
To calculate voltage drop:

1. Multiply current in amperes by the length of the circuit in feet to get


ampere-feet. Circuit length is the distance from the point of origin to the
load end of the circuit.
2. Divide by 100.
3. Multiply by proper voltage drop value in tables. Result is voltage drop.

Example #1
A 460 V, 100 hp motor, running at 80% PF, draws 124 A full-load
current. It is fed by three 2/0 copper conductors in steel conduit. The feeder
length is 150 ft (46 m).

What is the voltage drop in the feeder? What is the percentage voltage
drop?
 124 A × 150ft (46m) = 18,600 A-ft
 Divided by 100 = 186
 Table: 2/0 copper, magnetic conduit,
80% PF = 0.0187
186 x 0.0187 = 3.48 V drop
3.48/460 x 100 = 0.76% drop
Conclusion: 0.76% voltage drop is very acceptable. (See NEC Article
215, which suggests that a voltage drop of 3% or less on a feeder is
acceptable.)
To select minimum conductor size:

1. Determine maximum desired i voltage drop, in volts.


2. Divide voltage drop by ii (amperes x circuit feet).
3. Multiply by 100.
4. Find nearest lower voltage drop value in tables, in correct column for
type of conductor, conduit and power factor. Read conductor size for that
value.
5. Where this results in an oversized cable, verify cable lug sizes for molded
case circuit breakers and fusible 4 switches. Where lug size available is
exceeded, go to next higher rating.
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Example #2
A three-phase, four-wire lighting feeder on a 208 V circuit is 250 ft (76.2 m)
long. The load is 175 A at 90% PF. It is desired to use aluminum 7
conductors in aluminum conduit.

What size conductor is required to limit the voltage drop to 2% phase-to-


phase?
 VD = 2/100 × 208 = 4.16 V
 4.16 / (175 × 250) = 0.0000951
 0.0000951 × 100= 0.00951
 In table, under aluminum conductors, nonmagnetic conduit, 90% PF,
the nearest lower value is 0.0091. Conductor required is 12 500 kcmil.
(Size 4/0 THW would have adequate ampacity, but the voltage drop
would be excessive.)
Table 2 – Voltage Drop—Volts per Ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-
Phase, Phase-to-Phase
Table 2 – Voltage drop – Volts per ampere per 100 Feet (30 m); Three-
phase, phase-to-phase

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Reference // Power Distribution Systems by EATON

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