Residential voltage drop
- Thread starter nizak
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Coppersmith
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
The voltage drop exists but isn't normally much of a problem in residences because the home runs that are usually the longest go to bedrooms which usually aren't heavily loaded. The big guns like the kitchen, water heater and a/c systems usually are closer to the panel. I've never had an inspector even say voltage drop to me.
That said, if you know you are going to put in a particularly long run, (say to a hot tub on the other side of the house), it would be a good idea to calculate VD and upsize wiring if needed.
That said, if you know you are going to put in a particularly long run, (say to a hot tub on the other side of the house), it would be a good idea to calculate VD and upsize wiring if needed.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
That, or one or more sub-panels, so a single, larger long feeder can share (and thus, minimize) the effects of distance-caused voltage drop.
Adamjamma
Senior Member
- Location
- Jamaica and london
The joys of working in certain places. I have to account for voltage drop months before the first wire is even pulled, because mostresidences here are concrete with pvc conduit, so voltage drop, thermal grouping, etc... all need done before conduit is bought.
Most is pretty easy though because the basic rule of thumb is fifty feet on HR go calculate or upsize.. and luckily most runs are less than fifty feet... plus most of time am running 20 amp breakers but 15 amp outlets...
Most is pretty easy though because the basic rule of thumb is fifty feet on HR go calculate or upsize.. and luckily most runs are less than fifty feet... plus most of time am running 20 amp breakers but 15 amp outlets...
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Code inspectors normally just inspect for NEC violations but home inspectors have written up voltage drop.
Coppersmith
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
When I first started my company I would measure voltage drop in residences as part of a whole house electrical inspection. My tester could be set to 12/15/20 amps load. There was always lots of VD at the far ends of the house at even just 12 amps. But no issues with low voltage were ever reported by HO. Then you realize most houses use about 2 amps in the bedrooms (lamps, clock radio, TV). Maybe in colder climates it's a problem if space heaters are present.
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