Electrical equipment is designed to operate at within a given voltage range, typically no less than 10% and no more than 5% from it’s voltage rating.

Example: A typical 230 volt load is designed to operate at not less than 207 volts (-10%) and not more than 242 volts (+5%), Figure 1.

Author’s Comment: Figures are not posted on the internet.

The actual operating voltage dependents on the output voltage from the electric utility and the voltage drop of the circuit conductors. Keep in mind that the voltage from the electric utility is not constant; its lower during peak utility loading and higher during off-peak load periods.

Generally, overvoltage in an electrical system is not a problem, unless there is a wiring error in the electrical system1, however reduced or under voltage can caused inconvenience by flickering lights2, erratic performance of electro-mechanical devices such as relays and contactors, fires, and equipment failures. In particular, sensitive electronic equipment operating at reduced voltage will not have sufficient “ride-through” capability for voltage sags, and fire pump equipment possibly could fail at inadequate voltage.

1See  http://www.mikeholt.com/Newsletters/campus.htm for case studies on overvoltage.

2 See  http://www.mikeholt.com/Newsletters/10-7-99.htm for case studies on flickering lights.

Electric utilities are required by public service commissions to supply electrical power with sufficient voltage and capacity for the loads to be served and for most installations, this is not a problem. Reduced or under voltage is often caused by excessive long service, feeder, and or branch circuit conductors. The sizing of these conductors is important to insure proper operating voltage for a safe and efficient electrical systems.

The actual equipment operating voltage is dependent on the originating voltage, the conductor size (actually its resistance), and the magnitude of the current flowing through the circuit conductors. The originating voltage at times can be increased by adjusting the taps on the transformer and the circuit voltage drop can be reduced by decreasing the load or increasing the conductor circular mil area.

Last month I explained that the Fine Print Notes (FPN) in the NEC about voltage drop is not enforceable as a Code rule. However, The National Electrical Code does require conductors to be sized to accommodate voltage drop for the following purposes:

·        Grounding Conductors – Section 250-122(b)

·        Motion Picture/Television Studios – Section 530-71(d)

·        Fire Pumps – Section 695-7

The following formulas can be used to properly size conductors to prevent excessive voltage drop:

CM (single-phase) = (2 x K x I x D)/VD

CM (three-phase) = (1.732 x K x I x D)/VD

Author's Comment: Download a free Windows 95 Voltage Drop Calculator from www.mikeholt.com.

“CM” = Circular-Mils: The circular mils of the circuit conductor as listed in Chapter 9, Table 8.

“K” = Direct Current Constant: The direct current constant value to be used for copper is 12.9 ohms and 21.2 ohms is used for aluminum conductors.

“Q” = Alternating Current Adjustment: Alternating current circuits No. 2/0 and larger must be adjusted for the effects of self-induction (skin effect). The "Q" adjustment factor is determined by dividing alternating current resistance as listed in NEC Chapter 9, Table 9, by the direct current resistance as listed in Chapter 9, Table 8.

“I” = Amperes: The load in amperes at 100 percent, not 125 percent for motors or continuous loads.

“D” = Distance: The distance the load is located from the power supply, not the total length of the circuit conductors.

“VD” = Volts Dropped: The voltage drop of the circuit conductors as expressed in volts.

Example – Single-Phase

A 5 horsepower motor is located 100 feet from a 120/240 volt panelboard. What size conductor should be used if the motor nameplate indicates the voltage range is between 208-230 volts. Limit the voltage drop to 7.2 volts (3% of the voltage source) and the terminals are rated 75ºC, Figure 2.

(a) No. 10 THHN        (b) No. 8 THHN          (c) No. 6 THHN          (d) No. 4 THHN

• Answer: (a) No. 10 THHN

Section 430-22(a) requires motor conductors to be sized not less than 125 percent of the motor full-load current (28 amperes) as listed in Table 430-148. A No. 10 is rated 35 amperes at 75ºC [Table 310-16 and Section 110-14(c)] and it is suitable to meet the NEC requirements (28 ampere x 1.25 = 35 ampere). In addition, a No. 10 conductor limits the voltage drop to meet the manufacture’s voltage limitation rating [110-3(b)].

Conductor required to limit voltage drop to 3%

CM = (2 x K x I x D)/VD

CM = Wire size, Chapter 9, Table 8

K = 12.9 ohm, copper 

I = 28 ampere

D = 100 feet    

VD = 240 volts x 3% = 7.2 volts

CM = (2 x 12.9 ohms x 28 amperes x 100 feet)/7.2 volts

CM = 10,033, No. 10, Chapter 9, Table 8

Example – Three-Phase

Example: A 25 horsepower, 208 volt three-phase fire pump motor is located 175 feet the service. The fire pump motor controller is located 150 feet from the service (motor 25 feet from controller). What size conductor must be installed to the fire pump motor? Note: Terminals are rated 75ºC, Figure 3.

(a) No. 4 THHN          (b) No. 3 THHN          (c) No. 2 THHN          (d) No. 1 THHN

• Answer: (b) No. 3 THHN

When sizing conductor’s for fire pump motors the following rules must be considered.

Calculation 1.

Section 695-6(c)(2) – No. 3. Branch circuit conductors must be sized no less than 125 percent of the fire pump motor full-load current as listed in Table 430-148 or 430-150, based on 75°C terminal rating [110-14(c)(1)] as listed in Table 310-16.

74.8 ampere x 1.25 = 93.4 ampere, No. 3 THHN at 75°C is rated 100 ampere

Calculation 2.

Section 695-7 – No. 3. The operating voltage at the motor controller terminals shall not drop more than 15 percent below the controller-rated voltage when the motor starts (lock-rotor current).

CM = (1.732 x K x I x D)/VD

CM = Wire size, Chapter 9, Table 8

K = 12.9 ohms, copper

I = 404 ampere (locked-rotor, Table 430-151B)

D = 150 feet    

VD = 31.2 volts (208 volts x 15%)

CM = (1.732 x 12.9 ohms x 404 ampere x 150 feet)/31.2 volts

CM = 43,396, Chapter 9, Table 8 = No. 3

Calculation 3.

Section 695-7 – No. 4. The operating voltage at the terminals of the motor shall not drop more than 5 percent below the voltage rating of the motor while the motor is operating at 115 percent of the full-load current rating of the motor.

CM = (1.732 x K x I x D)/VD                  

CM = Wire size, Chapter 9, Table 8

K = 12.9 ohms, copper

I = 86 ampere (74.8 amperes @115%), Table 430-150

D = 175 feet

VD 5% = 10.4 volts (208 volts x 5%)

CM = (1.732 x 12.9 ohms x 86 ampere x 175 feet)/10.4 volts

CM = 32,332, Chapter 9, Table 8 = No. 4

Caution: For voltage drop, the No. 4 wire is okay from the controller to the motor, but Section 695-6(c)(2) requires the branch circuit conductors to be sized no less than No. 3.

I hope this short summary was helpfull. If you want to know more about this subject, please attend our seminar or order our home study video program today.

Voltage Drop Homestudy Program (4 Hour CEU Credit)
Voltage drop calculations for branch circuits and feeders are explained in great detail. Subjects covered include: wire sizing, maximum distance, voltage drop, and the effects of, Harmonic currents, multi-wire branch circuits, copper versus aluminum, AC versus DC, metallic versus nonmetallic raceways, skin effect and eddy currents. Includes Articles 210, 215, 230, 250 and 310. Textbook with 2-hour video - $79 [CLV3], Book only $25 [CLW3].

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