Power losses in cables
This tool calculates power losses (I²R losses) in cables due to conductor resistance during current flow, based on IEC and NEC standards. It supports DC, single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase systems, including parallel conductors and various insulation types. Input Parameters Current Type: Direct Current (DC), Single-phase AC, Two-phase, or Three-phase (3-wire/4-wire) Voltage (V): Enter phase-to-neutral voltage for single-phase, or phase-to-phase for polyphase Load Power (kW or VA): Rated power of the connected equipment Power Factor (cos φ): Ratio of active to apparent power, between 0 and 1 (default: 0.8) Wire Size (mm²): Cross-sectional area of the conductor Conductor Material: Copper (Cu) or Aluminum (Al), affecting resistivity Parallel Phase Conductors: Conductors with same size, length, and material can be used in parallel; total permissible current is sum of individual core ratings Length (meters): One-way distance from supply to load Operating Temperature (°C): Based on insulation type: IEC/CEI: 70°C (PVC), 90°C (XLPE/EPR), 105°C (Mineral Insulation) NEC: 60°C (TW, UF), 75°C (RHW, THHN, etc.), 90°C (TBS, XHHW, etc.) Output Results Conductor Resistance (Ω/km) Total Circuit Resistance (Ω) Power Loss (W or kW) Energy Loss (kWh/year, optional) Voltage Drop (% and V) Temperature correction for resistance Reference Standards: IEC 60364, NEC Article 310 Designed for electrical engineers and installers to evaluate circuit efficiency, energy consumption, and thermal performance.