WHAT IS VOLTAGE DROP? (Voltage Drop Explained)
11 December 2022 · 7 min · 95K views
What this video covers
Voltage drop occurs when electrical resistance in a wire causes a decrease in voltage between the power source and the load, similar to friction loss in a fire hose.1:31 A 10-amp light bulb requiring 12 volts will fail to operate if a 10% voltage drop on a 50-foot, 10-gauge wire run reduces the delivered power to 11.34 volts.3:14 To mitigate voltage drop, installers can move the load closer to the battery, reduce the amperage draw, or increase the wire gauge.3:54 Increasing the wire size to 4-gauge in the previous example maintains voltage at 12.22 volts, which is sufficient for the light to function.4:59 The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) recommends a maximum 3% voltage drop for critical loads like bilge pumps and navigation lights, while allowing up to 10% for non-critical circuits.5:26 Inverter circuits require lower voltage drop percentages to prevent DC ripple.6:43 Proper wire sizing ensures that electrical components receive the necessary voltage to operate reliably.
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