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-   -   Voltage drop calculation (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=409724)

  • Oct 26, 2009, 06:47 AM
    striv1
    Voltage drop calculation
    I am finishing a room in my basement and I am installing 8 duplex receptacles and one switched light. The line I am feeding the circuit with is on a 15 Amp 120V line and it is about 25 feet from the breaker box to the entrance of the room I am finishing. If I just run one continuous loop around the entire room the total circuit is about 110 feet and according to my calcualtions the total voltage drop exceeds the 3% suggested maximum even if I use 12/2 wire. Would I be better off splitting the circuit when it enters the room and do two shorter runs in opposite directions or does that not help the voltage drop issue?
  • Oct 26, 2009, 01:15 PM
    stanfortyman
    I'd use 14/2 and not give it as second thought.

    What load are you using to figure the VD?
  • Oct 26, 2009, 02:22 PM
    KISS

    Usually one doesn't care, because the loads are generally not well known. It's always a good idea to make the lighting loads separate, so you don't end up in the dark.

    You could break it up into two 4- receptacle circuits, every other one. You can pigtail with a smaller wire 14 or 12 in the outlets, which is a good idea anyway. The smallest wire determines the breaker size.

    The arrangement can make a difference, especially if the expected large load is closer. Center fed offers no advantage.

    Is this a one-way drop? e.g. 110 ft of wire which translates to a 220 foot run.

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