Using K=10.86, what size wire is needed for a specified voltage drop of 3% for a motor 160 feet away from a panelboard?

To determine the appropriate wire size for maintaining a voltage drop of 3% over a distance of 160 feet, the calculations focus on several key factors including the motor's current load, the total length of the wire run, and the resistance characteristics of the conductor.

The formula typically used for calculating voltage drop is:

[ \text{Voltage Drop} = \frac{2 \times K \times I \times L}{1000} ]

Where:

• ( K ) is the resistivity constant, given as 10.86.

• ( I ) is the current in amperes.

• ( L ) is the one-way length of the wire in feet.

In this scenario, using the specified voltage drop of 3% means that we're calculating the maximum allowable voltage drop based on the motor's voltage and the specified 160-feet distance.

By using the appropriate values in the formula and solving for the current or any other relevant component that relates to wire gauge, one can determine the necessary AWG size that would yield an acceptable voltage drop within the 3% criterion.

Using standard table references for wire resistance, a 6 AWG wire would typically have a lower resistance than higher AWG sizing, which ultimately