Provided is an apparatus and method for providing a voltage reduction for single-phase voltage regulator operation in a three-phase power system. The voltage regulator includes a plurality of tap positions selectable to adjust a voltage at a load to an in-band area. The method includes determining a measured voltage and current at the voltage regulator, determining a line voltage drop between the voltage regulator and the load if the measured voltage in the OOB area above the in-band area, and utilizing the measured voltage to lower the voltage at the load if there are no available taps. The method also includes utilizing the measured voltage less the line voltage drop to determine the tap change if there are available taps.