How Do You Calculate Voltage Drop Over Distance?

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SUMMARY

The voltage drop across connecting wires can be calculated using the formula V=IR, where V is the voltage drop, I is the current, and R is the resistance. In this scenario, with a wire resistance of 0.0055 ohms/m over a distance of 75m and a current draw of 2.5 Amps, the total resistance of the wire is 0.0055 ohms/m * 75m = 0.4125 ohms. Consequently, the voltage drop across the wire is V = 2.5 Amps * 0.4125 ohms = 1.03125 Volts, resulting in an applied voltage of 100V - 1.03125V = 98.96875V to the apparatus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ohm's Law (V=IR)
  • Knowledge of electrical resistance and its units (ohms)
  • Familiarity with calculating total resistance in series circuits
  • Basic concepts of voltage, current, and their relationship in electrical circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of series and parallel circuits in electrical engineering
  • Learn about wire gauge and its impact on resistance and voltage drop
  • Explore advanced calculations for voltage drop over longer distances
  • Investigate tools for measuring voltage drop in practical applications
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Electrical engineering students, electricians, and anyone involved in designing or troubleshooting electrical circuits and systems.

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Homework Statement


Suppose you want to run some apparatus that is 75m from an electric outlet. Each of the wires connecting your apparatus to the 100V source has a resistance per unit length of 0.0055 ohms/m. If your apparatus draws 2.5 Amps, what will be the voltage drop across the connecting wires and what voltage will be applied to your apparatus?


Homework Equations


V=IR



The Attempt at a Solution



100=R x 2.5
So R= 40 Ohms

But don't know where to go from here!
 
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V=IR
100=R x 2.5
Careful with that formula! It must be applied consistently to one component. The 100 Volts appears across the combination of the wire and the apparatus. (You can treat the combination as one component "in a black box" and use 100 = R*2.5 to find the combined resistance of the wire and the apparatus. But that doesn't do you much good.)

Better to begin by figuring out the resistance of the wire from the other information given (resistance per m of length). Then apply the formula to the wire only and find the voltage across the wire only, answering the first question.
 

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