FAQ

1. What is ‘Conductor Diameter (Inches)’ and ‘Conductor Diameter (mm)’?

• These fields represent the diameter of the conductor/wire in both imperial (inches) and metric (mm) units. The diameter of a wire is a critical factor in determining its current-carrying capacity.

2. What is ‘Conductor Cross Section (mm²)’?

• This is the cross-sectional area of the wire in square millimeters. It is calculated based on the diameter of the wire and provides a measure of the wire’s capacity to carry current. The larger the cross-sectional area, the more current the wire can carry.

3. What is ‘Ohms per 1000 ft.’ and ‘Ohms per 1000 m’?

• These fields represent the resistance of the wire per 1000 feet and per 1000 meters, respectively. Resistance is a property of the wire that impedes the flow of electricity. The longer the wire, the higher the resistance.

4. What is ‘Voltage Drop (V)’?

• Voltage drop is the decrease in electrical potential along the path of a current flowing in an electrical circuit. Voltage drops in the electrical system can cause electric motors to fail to start or to run less efficiently.

5. What is ‘Voltage Drop (%)’?

• This is the percentage of the initial voltage that has been lost due to resistance in the wire. A lower percentage means less voltage drop and more efficient power delivery.

Tips on Voltage Drop

• Use larger gauge wire: Larger wires have less resistance, so they drop less voltage. If you have a long run of wire, consider using a larger gauge to reduce voltage drop.
• Shorten wire length: The longer the wire, the more resistance it has. Shortening the wire will reduce resistance and therefore reduce the voltage drop.
• Balance loads: Unbalanced loads can lead to excessive voltage drop in one part of the circuit. Balance the loads to ensure the current is evenly distributed.
• Consider parallel wiring: In certain cases, it may be beneficial to wire devices in parallel rather than in series to decrease total resistance and thus decrease voltage drop.