Optimum engineered loop voltage drop for central office

The loop voltage drop between the power distribution board and the battery distribution fuse board (BDFB) or power distribution (PD) frame is often not specified by the manufacturer of the served equipment. Common sense would seem to say that the engineer should buy smaller cables to decrease cable cost. This will result in a higher loop voltage drop than if larger cables were used. This paper shows, through economic analysis, that over a 20 year life study, the more expensive large cables (lower loop drop) actually cost less. A loop drop of approximately 1.0 V between the power distribution and PD Frame or BDFB is recommended