WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
5V Voltage Drop Over 100 Ft Of 22 Gauge Wire
5V voltage drop over 100 ft of 22 gauge wire is fast with WireGaugeCalc, since you enter the current, the length, and the gauge to see the loss.
The calculator multiplies the conductor resistance by current and round-trip length, so a thin 22 AWG run on a 5 volt supply shows a large percentage drop.
See whether the voltage at the load still works before you commit to that wire.
Open the calculatorUses Vd = (phase factor × K × I × L) / circular mils, K = 12.9 copper, 21.2 aluminum. Field aid only, verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Why thin gauge hurts a 5 volt circuit
A 5 volt supply has little headroom, so even a small drop becomes a big percentage of the source.
At 100 feet of 22 AWG the round-trip resistance is high, so modest current can cost more than a volt.
The tool reports both the volts lost and the voltage left at the load.
Inputs for the loss estimate
The result comes from these values:
- Source voltage of 5 volts
- One-way run length of 100 feet
- Conductor gauge, here 22 AWG
- Load current in amps
- Copper or aluminum resistance per foot
One app for every NEC calculation
WireGaugeCalc keeps the calculations you reach for most in one place:
- Voltage drop and wire sizing for any run
- Conduit fill for EMT, PVC, and RMC
- Box fill and junction box sizing
- Ampacity and temperature derating
- Motor circuit and load calculations
- Conduit bend offsets and saddles
Built for the field, works offline
The whole app runs on your phone, so it keeps working in a basement, an attic, or a job site with no signal.
There is no account to create and nothing to load. Open it, run the number, and get back to work.
- No signup and no signal needed
- Answers in a tap, not a spreadsheet
- Same tool on phone, tablet, and desktop
Every result cites the NEC article
Each answer shows the table or formula it came from, so you can check the method and learn the code as you go.
That makes the app useful on the job and during exam prep, since the reasoning is right next to the number.
Switch the code year your job runs on
Jurisdictions adopt the NEC at different times, so you can match the calculation to the code in force:
- NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023 tables
- Copper and aluminum conductors
- 60, 75, and 90 degree C terminations
- Single-phase and three-phase systems
Run the number, then get back to work
Stop flipping through a paper book or hopping between calculator sites. Enter your values, read the code-cited answer, and move on. Free to use, no signup.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much current can 22 gauge wire handle over 100 feet at 5 volts?
Very little before the drop is severe, since 22 AWG has high resistance and 5 volts leaves no margin; even a few hundred milliamps can lose over a volt. Compare 14 gauge wire voltage drop in the tool to see how a heavier conductor cuts the loss.
What is an acceptable drop on a low voltage line?
Many low voltage devices tolerate a few percent, but the limit depends on the device, so check its minimum operating voltage. For permanent power circuits the 3 percent branch-circuit guideline applies, and you should verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Is WireGaugeCalc free to use?
Yes. Every calculator is free to run with no signup. A paid tier adds saved projects, PDF reports, and extra code years, but the core math stays free.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your device, so it keeps working with no signal on a job site, in a basement, or in an attic.
Are the results code accurate?
Results follow published NEC tables and standard formulas, and each answer shows the article it came from. It is a field aid, not a stamp of approval, so verify against the current code and your local authority before you wire anything.
Which NEC code year does it use?
You can switch between NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023, since jurisdictions adopt the code at different times. Pick the year your job runs on.