Voltage Drop for 18 AWG, 3 m, 3 A
Calculate the voltage drop on an 18 AWG wire of 3 meters at 3 A, typical for small appliances and electronics wiring.
How to use this tool
- Enter wire gauge (awg), one-way wire length and current in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type โ or click Calculate.
- Read your voltage drop and the full breakdown beneath it.
18 AWG is common in electronics projects and small appliance power cords; check the voltage loss over a 3-meter, 3 A run.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the maximum recommended voltage drop?
- The NEC recommends no more than 3% voltage drop on a branch circuit and no more than 5% combined (feeder + branch). Above 3% you may notice dimmer lights or reduced motor torque.
- Does the return conductor also contribute?
- Yes โ current flows through both the hot and neutral (or ground-return) conductors, so the effective resistance is twice the one-way value.