What Is the Voltage Drop for 14 AWG at 10A and 200 Feet?

14 AWG copper carrying 10 amps over 200 feet on a single-phase / DC circuit drops 12.56 volts (10.47% on a 120V source). This sits past both the 3% branch target and the 5% feeder+branch total target NEC 210.19(A) / 215.2 Informational Notes cite, planning targets rather than code requirements. The run alone clears the 5% figure before any upstream feeder drop is counted, so a larger gauge, shorter run, or higher source voltage would be the typical way to bring the percentage down.

14 AWG, 10A, 200ft · single-phase / DC

12.56 V drop (10.47% on 120V)

On 120V circuit10.47%

On 240V circuit5.23%

Circuit basis: This uses the single-phase / DC round-trip formula (factor of 2) for the voltage drop across the two circuit conductors. For a three-phase line-to-line run use the three-phase version of the page (append ?type=3ph). Switch to the three-phase version →

Gauge

14 AWG

Amps

Feet

Drop @ 120V

12.56V (10.47%)

Assumes a 120V source on a single-phase / DC circuit. Use the circuit-basis link above to switch between single-phase/DC and three-phase.

Voltage Drop Formula (single-phase / DC)

V_drop = (2 × L × I × R) ÷ 1000

(2 × 200 × 10 × 3.14) ÷ 1000 = 12.56 V

DC and single-phase AC use the round-trip factor of 2. Current travels out to the load on one conductor and returns on another.

For a three-phase circuit at the same amps and distance, see the three-phase version (uses √3 instead of 2, so the drop is about 13.4% lower).

Percentage

%VD = (V_drop ÷ V_source) × 100

On 120V: (12.56 ÷ 120) × 100 = 10.47%

On 240V: (12.56 ÷ 240) × 100 = 5.23%

How This Estimate Changes with Run Length and Gauge

Gauge That Meets the 3% Target

The smallest gauge in our table that clears the 3% drop target at 10A over 200ft on 120V is 8 AWG. Shorter runs, higher source voltage, or a higher drop tolerance (feeder-only applications often accept up to 5%) can change the pick. Run the full wire-size calculator with your actual variables.

Impact of Distance

Voltage drop is proportional to distance. Here is 14 AWG at 10A at different distances:

Distance	Drop (V)	% on 120V	% on 240V	NEC (120V)
25ft	1.57V	1.31%	0.6542%	OK
50ft	3.14V	2.62%	1.31%	OK
75ft	4.71V	3.93%	1.96%	Caution
100ft	6.28V	5.23%	2.62%	Past 5%
150ft	9.42V	7.85%	3.93%	Past 5%
200ft	12.56V	10.47%	5.23%	Past 5%
300ft	18.84V	15.7%	7.85%	Past 5%

Same Run, Different Wire Gauges

How does wire gauge affect voltage drop for 10A at 200 feet on 120V single-phase / DC? Only gauges whose branch-circuit OCP cap is at or above the 10A load are listed, since thinner gauges would fail the ampacity check before drop even matters.

Gauge	Drop (V)	% on 120V	% on 240V	3% Target (120V)
14 AWG	12.56V	10.47%	5.23%	Past 5%
12 AWG	7.92V	6.6%	3.3%	Past 5%
10 AWG	4.96V	4.13%	2.07%	Caution
8 AWG	3.11V	2.59%	1.3%	OK
6 AWG	1.96V	1.64%	0.8183%	OK
4 AWG	1.23V	1.03%	0.5133%	OK

Related Calculations

cable Wire size: 10A, 200ft bolt Watts to amps calculator functions Voltage drop formula

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the voltage drop for 14 AWG at 10A and 200ft?expand_more

14 AWG carrying 10A over 200ft has a 12.56V drop (10.47% on 120V). Reference: 5.23% on 240V.

Why does distance affect voltage drop?expand_more

Voltage drop is proportional to distance. The formula multiplies by 2 × the distance (out and back). Doubling the run doubles the drop.

Does 14 AWG meet the 3% drop target at 10A and 200ft on 120V?expand_more

On 120V, this run sits at 10.47%, which is past both the 3% branch and 5% feeder+branch total drop targets. NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4 cites 3% for branch circuits and 5% for total feeder+branch drop as performance recommendations, not hard code requirements.

Is voltage drop worse on 120V or 240V?expand_more

Same wire, same amps, same distance: the volts dropped are identical. But the percentage is worse on 120V because the drop is a larger fraction of the source voltage. This run would be 5.23% on 240V versus 10.47% on 120V.

How do I reduce voltage drop?expand_more

Use a larger wire gauge (lower AWG number), shorten the run, or increase the source voltage. Each option reduces the percentage drop, and higher source voltage is usually the most effective change for long runs because the drop is a smaller fraction of a larger reference.

This calculator provides estimates for reference purposes only. Always consult a licensed electrician and verify compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes before performing any electrical work.