line drop in regard to electricity

If you have a gas or diesel powered generator that you are creating 110 volts for your house with, you likely aren't going to have much line drop on a 100 foot outdoor orange cord with a three pronged plug and receptacle.

 

However, if you are far away from the generator say 500 feet or more through multiple 100 foot cords plugged into each other you might have a little or a lot of line drop where it might be unsafe to run whatever you are doing through that many feet of cord because of line drop.

 

It's one of the reasons why in the U.S. we have 1000 volt lines at 100 or 200 Amps along telephone poles to prevent line drop because the higher the voltage and amperage the lower the line drop apparently. So, then the 1000 volt lines are run through Transformers (usually on Telephone poles unless electricity is run underground) and the transformers reduce the voltage to 220 volt single phase of either 100 to 200 Amps (Amperage) when it enters your home or business. Then it takes 3 wires to have 220 volts but only 2 wires to have 110 Volts. One leg of the 220 volt double wire creates 110 volts along with the neutral wire which is one of the three wires coming into your home or business from the transformer (usually on a telephone pole) the 1000 volts is usually the top wire on any Telephone pole to prevent people from dying of a shock from those 1000 volts because that much voltage is usually fatal always.

 

However, I have a friend who survived being hit with 1000 volts when he was young (10 to 15 years old) and it blew him about 25 feet from where he was hit when his muscles all stiffened at once and he woke up an hour later from this and recovered okay. But, he is the only person I have ever heard of who survived getting hit with 1000 volts off a telephone pole.

 

Begin quotes: 

 

 begin quote on Line Drop

In electricity, line drop typically refers to either voltage drop (the loss of electrical pressure as current flows through a wire's resistance) or a service drop (the physical overhead wires connecting a utility pole to a building). 

Voltage Drop in Circuits

Cause: Caused by the inherent resistance or impedance of conductors (wires) when carrying electrical current.
Effect: Voltage at the end of the wire (the load) is lower than the voltage at the source.
Consequences: Can cause lights to dim, motors to overheat, and equipment to run inefficiently.
Solution: Minimized by using larger wire sizes (lower gauge number) or shortening the wire length. 

Utility Service Drop

Definition: The overhead [[Service drop - Wikipedia|service drop] lines running from a utility company pole to a home or business.
Components: Includes the physical conductors, a drip loop to prevent water entry, and a service mast.
Safety Rules: Must maintain specific minimum clearance heights above ground, driveways, and roofs set by local codes. 

If you mean a specific issue, tell me:

• Are you trying to calculate voltage loss for a wiring project?
• Do you have a question about overhead utility lines on your property?

I can give you the exact details you need.

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