How to Calculate Voltage With Respect to Ground

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Adding the ground into a voltage equation only takes one extra step.

In the world of physical science, there are always new variables that can be added to equations to make for more thorough and complete results. While the method for finding voltage in a phase-to-phase connection is relatively simple, adding the new variable of the ground produces an entirely different outcome.

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Step 1

Determine the resistance and current. Current, which is measured in amps, refers to the power of the initial electrical charge as it moves from phase to phase. Resistance is measured in ohms and refers to the capability of the wiring to pass current.

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Step 2

Calculate the voltage by multiplying the resistance and current together. The equation to measure voltage is V=R*I where R represents resistance, I is current and V is voltage, measured in volts. So, if you have a resistance of 12 ohms and a current of five amps, the voltage of the phase-to-phase connection is 60 volts.

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Step 3

In a standard phase-to-phase connection, the variable that represents the grounding force is 1.73; it is divided from the voltage in order to compensate for the ground in a circuit. Using the same sample equation 12*5=60 volts, we can account for the ground by dividing 60 by 1.73, making the new voltage 34.68 volts.

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