A large voltage drop across a conductor often indicates what condition?

• A. The circuit is overprotected
• B. The wire is too large
• C. Undersized wire or poor connections causing resistance
• D. The source is overly stiff

Answer: (C)

A large voltage drop across a conductor shows that the path carrying current has notable resistance. Using Ohm’s law (V = I × R), if the current is flowing and the conductor has higher resistance per length—because the wire is too small for the current or the run is long—the voltage at the far end will be noticeably lower than at the source. Poor or loose connections add extra contact resistance, which also increases the drop. So, the most likely cause is undersized wire or poor connections causing resistance along the path.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: an overprotected circuit typically limits current or trips the breaker, not cause a steady large drop along the conductor. A wire that’s too large actually has less resistance and would show a smaller drop. A source that’s overly stiff (low internal resistance) tends to hold voltage up under load, reducing drops rather than creating them.