I don't understand how I am "calculating for the voltage drop"

Thread starter BeautifulLight
Start date Sep 1, 2014
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Drop Voltage Voltage drop

In summary: Voltage drop = voltage across resistor." So, in this case resistor will only change the current in the circuit.

Sep 7, 2014

jim hardy

Science Advisor

Gold Member

Dearly Missed

Ohm's law is a law not a suggestion.

For semiconductor diodes and LED's though R is a function of both current and temperature, and maybe even incident light, so the arithmetic gets more complicated than for a simple ideal circuit element.
Opto devices excluded they're not active so much as they're simply nonlinear.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/active

c of an electronic circuit element : capable of controlling voltages or currents

Last edited: Sep 7, 2014

<h2> What is voltage drop?</h2><p>Voltage drop is the decrease in voltage that occurs when electrical current flows through a resistance in a circuit. It is measured in volts and can affect the performance and efficiency of electrical devices.</p><h2> How is voltage drop calculated?</h2><p>Voltage drop is calculated using Ohm's Law, which states that voltage drop is equal to the current flowing through the circuit multiplied by the resistance of the circuit. This can be represented by the formula V=IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.</p><h2> What factors can affect voltage drop?</h2><p>Several factors can affect voltage drop, including the length and thickness of the wire, the type of material the wire is made of, and the amount of current flowing through the circuit. Higher resistance and longer wire lengths can result in a larger voltage drop.</p><h2> Why is voltage drop important to consider?</h2><p>Voltage drop is important to consider because it can impact the performance and efficiency of electrical devices. If the voltage drop is too high, it can cause devices to malfunction or not work at all. It can also lead to overheating and potential safety hazards.</p><h2> How can voltage drop be reduced?</h2><p>Voltage drop can be reduced by using thicker wires with lower resistance, minimizing the length of the wire, and reducing the amount of current flowing through the circuit. Properly sizing wires and using high-quality materials can also help to reduce voltage drop.</p>

FAQ: I don't understand how I am "calculating for the voltage drop"

What is voltage drop?

Voltage drop is the decrease in voltage that occurs when electrical current flows through a resistance in a circuit. It is measured in volts and can affect the performance and efficiency of electrical devices.

How is voltage drop calculated?

Voltage drop is calculated using Ohm's Law, which states that voltage drop is equal to the current flowing through the circuit multiplied by the resistance of the circuit. This can be represented by the formula V=IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.

What factors can affect voltage drop?

Several factors can affect voltage drop, including the length and thickness of the wire, the type of material the wire is made of, and the amount of current flowing through the circuit. Higher resistance and longer wire lengths can result in a larger voltage drop.

Why is voltage drop important to consider?

Voltage drop is important to consider because it can impact the performance and efficiency of electrical devices. If the voltage drop is too high, it can cause devices to malfunction or not work at all. It can also lead to overheating and potential safety hazards.

How can voltage drop be reduced?

Voltage drop can be reduced by using thicker wires with lower resistance, minimizing the length of the wire, and reducing the amount of current flowing through the circuit. Properly sizing wires and using high-quality materials can also help to reduce voltage drop.