For a 230-volt supply, what is the typical voltage drop acceptable for a 125-ampere load?

To determine the acceptable voltage drop for a specific load connected to a 230-volt supply, we need to consider standard practices in electrical systems. Typically, a voltage drop of around 3% is considered acceptable for feeders and branch circuits.

For a 230-volt system, 3% of the voltage can be calculated as follows:

0.03 * 230 volts = 6.9 volts.

This indicates that a drop of up to 6.9 volts is acceptable without significant impact on the performance of the electrical system. However, practical values for voltage drop can vary depending on specific applications and local codes.

For a 125-ampere load, a voltage drop of 2.3 volts represents roughly 1% of the system voltage, which is generally acceptable and wouldn't cause issues in most residential or commercial applications. It ensures that appliances and devices receive sufficient voltage for efficient operation, avoiding excessive heat and energy loss.

Thus, the selection of 2.3 volts as an acceptable voltage drop is grounded in the understanding of maintaining system performance and reliability while staying within reasonable limits for voltage drop, especially under a substantial load like 125 amperes.