motor draw/voltage drop - 07/17/07 03:23 AM
I have a question concerning motors and voltage drop. It is said that a motor will draw more as the voltage is decreased ( say from 120V to 115 volts and less to a point) The motor will try to maintain the design HP output. What happens when you have a very significant resistance such as a smaller and longer extension cord, How does this all come into play with total impedance of the motor with the addition of another significant resistance. I was told that the ampacity would increase so much that a breaker would flip, due to the fact the motor will draw more. On the other hand I am looking at the line loss on the way to the motor that would limit current as a whole. Other than physically trying this (which I may do)This all stems from a friend of mine telling me too small of a conductor will cause excess current in a line with a motor. Does anybody have any comments on this?