What causes Voltage Drop in long-run Cables? How to prevent voltage drop in long cable?
Voltage drop in long-run cables occurs mainly due to the resistance and impedance of the conductor which increases with cable length.
As current flows through the cable energy is lost in the form of heat (I²R losses), leading to a reduction in voltage at the load end.
Causes
- Long cable length increases resistance.
- High current flow increases voltage drop.
- Small conductor size leads to higher resistance.
- Low power factor increases current demand.
Effects
- Reduced equipment performance.
- Overheating of cables.
- Inefficient system operation.
Methods to Reduce Voltage Drop
- Use larger cable size (lower resistance).
- Improve power factor using capacitor banks.
- Reduce cable length where possible.
- Use higher transmission voltage.
Voltage drop is an essential factor in long cable runs and proper cable sizing along with power factor improvement ensures an efficient and reliable operation of electrical systems.