DC Voltage Drop Formula

Did you know we use Direct Current to power most of our appliances at home? And do you know what voltage drop is? Voltage drop is an important concept in the distribution of electricity. Let us learn more about direct current and the DC Voltage Drop Formula. Let’s begin!

Direct Current

Direct Current (DC) consists of a  unidirectional flow of electric charge. Electrochemical cells and batteries produce DC. Wires, semiconductors, and electrons or ion beams can carry the DC even through the vacuum. In DC the current flows in a single direction unlike the Alternating current (AC). DC was also known as Galvanic Current before. Alternating Current and Direct Current are often abbreviated as AC & DC respectively.

A rectifier consisting of electronic elements or electromechanical elements can be used to allow current to flow in only one direction. This can help to convert direct current to alternating current. An inverter is used to convert direct current to alternating current.

Batteries can be charged, large amounts of power can be given to electronic systems, motors can be run etc, using direct current. Electrochemical processes like smelting of aluminium etc. can be done using large quantities of electricity given by direct current supply. Some railways in urban areas also use direct current for their operation. Large amounts of power with a high voltage can be transferred via direct current to alternating power grids.

Batteries and solar power systems which are extra-low voltage or low-voltage applications use DC for their operation since they can only produce DC. Most electronic circuits require a DC power supply.

Direct Current Voltage Drop Formula

Voltage Drop Formula can be used to calculate the voltage drop over an electrical circuit. It defines the energy loss which happened because of the impedance to the moving current in the circuit.

The DC Voltage Drop Formula is,

$$V = L \times \frac {I}{T}$$

• I = current through the circuit in Amperes.
• L = Length of the circuit in metres
• T = time for which the current has flowed through the circuit in seconds
• V = Voltage in Volts.

Solved Examples for DC Voltage Drop Formula

1) Calculate the dc voltage drop if the circuit length is 20 cms and in it 2 A of current flows in 10 s ?

Ans: The DC voltage drop is given as,

$$V = L \times \frac {I}{T}$$

Plugging in the values,

$$V = 20 \times \frac {2}{10}$$  = 0.04 Volts.

2) Calculate the dc voltage drop if the circuit length is 500 cms and in it 10 A of current flows in 20 s ?

Ans : The DC voltage drop is given as :

$$V = L \times \frac {I}{T}$$

where, I = current through the circuit in Amperes.

L = Length of the circuit in metres

T = time for which the current has flowed through the circuit in seconds

V = Voltage in Volts.

So, $$V = 500 \times \frac {10}{20}$$

V = 0.25 Volts.

3) Calculate the dc voltage drop if the circuit length is 600 cms and in it 12 A of current flows in 30 s ?

Ans : The DC voltage drop formula is, $$V = L \times \frac {I}{T}$$

Plugging in the values,

$$V = 600 \times \frac {12}{30}$$ = 0.24 Volts.

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