Calculating Voltage Drop in Solar Arrays and the Impact of Connector Resistance
Voltage drop in solar arrays is calculated using Ohm’s Law (V = I × R) where total resistance includes cable resistance plus connector resistance, with quality connectors contributing less than 0.1% voltage drop while poor connectors can cause 1-3% losses. Proper calculation requires analyzing string current, cable length and gauge, connector specifications, and temperature effects to ensure total voltage drop remains below 3% per NEC requirements for optimal system performance and code compliance.