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Worst case voltage drop. Posted by JT on January 24th, 1998 09:36 PM In reply to ac line voltage drop by Raymond Richter on January 24th, 1998 12:41 AM [Go to top of thread]
Raymond, if the situation is as you describe it, i.e. no other load on the circuit (a fact which you should carefully verify by turning the breaker off and checking what looses power) then there is a problem. A 15A. branch circuit should be able to supply 1800W (120V x 15A) with no more than 3% voltage drop or 120V - (.03 x 120) = 116.4V. Even considering an additional 2% allowable drop for feeders (for a total of 5%) the voltage at the farthest receptacle under full load should still be 120 - (.05x120) = 114V. Of couse, your line volage may be low, so check that. If so that is an issue for the power company. The 3% voltage drop is not a hard code requirement but rather a recommended value in the Fine Print Note (FPN 4) to section 210-19 of the '96 NEC. Unfortunately, it sounds to me as though your builder and his electrican are trying to take advantage of the average person's inorance about electricity to avoid making the necessary repair. But double check your facts, particularly about what else may be on the circuit, before confronting them again, but then, don't take no for an answer. Good luck.
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