VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS

MARCH 12, 2014 MOHAMED A. MOUSSA 2 COMMENTS

Q.Calculate the voltage drop of copper feeder 50 mm2 cable size, 60m length , 20.0 KVA,
230 V,1-phase. (Mention Ref. PLZ).
I(rated)=20,000 (VA)/230V=87 A
V.D% =0.81 (mv/amp/m)* X 87 A X 60 m(length) X 100(%) /230,000 mV = 1.84% (<3%,
acceptable)**.
Q.Calculate the voltage drop of copper feeder 16 mm2 cable size, 60m length , 20.0 KVA,
380 V,3-phase. (Mention Ref. PLZ).
I(rated)=20,000 (VA)/ 400V / 1.732=28.9 A
V.D% =2.2 (mv/amp/m)* X 28.9 AX 60 m(length) X 100(%) / 400,000 mV
X 0.866 = 0.83% (<3% , acceptable)**.
References:
* As per Saudi cable table: (noted that: this table can be usedcommon for single phase but for
three phase multiply by 0.866. Also this values will be minor changed between companies).

** As per NEC 2011(215.2(A): The voltage drop of a feeder or a branch circuit is limited to 3
percent. However, the total voltage drop of a branch circuit plus a feeder can reach 5 percent.

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