This calculator is used to estimate the voltage drop of an electrical circuit based on the wire size, distance, and anticipated load current. Voltage drop can vary depend on the condition of the wire, temperature, the connectors, the frequency etc. For maximum amplifier output voltage drop should never be greater than 3 percent, this is done by selecting the right size of wire.

There are some basic causes of voltage drop.

The first is the choice of material used for the wire. Copper is a better conductor than aluminum and will have less voltage drop than aluminum for a given length and wire size.

Wire size is another important factor in determining voltage drop. Larger wire sizes will have less voltage drop than smaller wire sizes of the same length.

Another critical factor in voltage drop is wire length. Shorter wires will have less voltage drop than longer wires for the same wire size (diameter). Voltage drop becomes important when the length of a run of wire or cable becomes very long.