The first consideration for voltage drop is that under the steady-state conditions of normal load, the voltage at the utilization equipment must be adequate.
In addition to steady-state conditions, voltage drop under transient conditions, with sudden high-current, short-time loads, must be considered.
The most common loads of this type are motor inrush currents during starting. These loads cause a voltage dip on the system as a result of the voltage drop in conductors, transformers and generators under the high current. This voltage dip can have numerous adverse effects on equipment in the system, and equipment and conductors must be designed and sized to minimize these problems.
In many cases, reduced-voltage starting of motors to reduce inrush current will be necessary.
Tables for calculating voltage drop for copper and aluminum conductors, in either magnetic (steel) or nonmagnetic (aluminum or non-metallic) conduit, are shown below. These tables give voltage drop per ampere per 100 ft (30 m) of circuit length.
The circuit length is from the beginning point to the end point of the circuit regardless of the number of conductors.