Digging Deeper
2. Unmasking the Culprits
So, what's causing this electrical pressure loss? There are three main villains in the voltage drop drama: resistance, current, and distance. Think of them as the unholy trinity of electrical inefficiency. The resistance is the opposition to current flow inside a conductor. Different materials have different resistance levels. Copper, for example, is commonly used as wire, since it's very conductive and offers less resistance than steel.
First up, we have resistance. Every wire, no matter how good it is, has some resistance to the flow of electricity. The higher the resistance, the more voltage is lost. It's like trying to run through mud — it's going to slow you down!
Next, we have current. The more current flowing through the wire (meaning, the more power your device is drawing), the greater the voltage drop. It's like trying to push more water through that same pipe — the pressure will drop even further. That's Ohm's Law at work for you. Keep an eye on the total amperage of the circuit and any devices connected to it.
Finally, distance. The longer the wire, the greater the voltage drop. It's that simple. The further the electricity has to travel, the more resistance it encounters. So, if you're running power to a shed at the back of your property, you're more likely to experience voltage drop than if you're just plugging something in across the room. Shorten the distance whenever possible.
