Voltage drop percent to volts calculator

Preliminary estimate

Inputs

Calculation note

This converts percent drop into volts only. Use the full voltage drop calculator for current, distance, conductor, and material inputs.

Method

Volts dropped = nominal voltage x drop percent / 100

Load-end voltage = nominal voltage - volts dropped

Review state follows the entered percent threshold

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Formula variables

  • Nominal voltage is the selected AC or DC system voltage.
  • Drop percent is the voltage drop percentage entered by the user.
  • Volts dropped is the absolute voltage loss.
  • Load-end voltage is the estimated voltage after the drop.

Assumptions

  • The calculator converts a percent value into volts dropped from nominal voltage.
  • Load-end voltage is nominal voltage minus calculated volts dropped.
  • Acceptable voltage drop depends on project criteria, equipment tolerance, and local review.
  • This calculator does not set an acceptable project limit, choose conductor size, approve branch-circuit design, or replace the full voltage-drop calculator.

Examples

600 V at 3 percent. A 3 percent drop on a 600 V circuit equals 18 V, leaving about 582 V at the load end.

48 V DC at 2 percent. A 2 percent drop on a 48 V DC system equals 0.96 V, leaving about 47.04 V.