NEC Code for Size of Cable for Motor

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Motor terminal box

NEC Code 430.22 (Size of Cable for Single Motor)

Size of Cable for Branch circuit which has Single Motor connection is 125% of Motor Full Load
Current Capacity.

Example
What is the minimum rating in amperes for Cables supplying 1 No of 5 hp, 415-volt, 3-phase motor
at 0.8 Power Factor.

Full-load currents for 5 hp = 7Amp.

Min Capacity of Cable= (7X125%) =8.75 Amp.

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NEC Code 430.6 (A) (Size of Cable for Group of Motors or

Elect.Load)
Cables or Feeder which is supplying more than one motors other load(s), shall have
anampacity not less than 125 % of the full-load current rating of the highest rated motor plus the
sum of the full-load current ratings of all the other motors in the group, as determined by 430.6(A).
For Calculating minimum Ampere Capacity of Main feeder and Cable is 125% of Highest Full
Load Current + Sum of Full Load Current of remaining Motors.

Example
What is the minimum rating in amperes for Cables supplying 1 No of 5 hp, 415-volt, 3-phase motor
at 0.8 Power Factor , 1 No of 10 hp, 415-volt, 3-phase motor at 0.8 Power Factor, 1 No of 15 hp,
415-volt, 3-phase motor at 0.8 Power Factor and 1 No of 5hp, 230-volt, single-phase motor at 0.8
Power Factor?

Full-load currents for 5 hp = 7Amp

Full-load currents for 10 hp = 13Amp
Full-load currents for 15 hp = 19Amp
Full-load currents for 10 hp (1 Ph) = 21Amp
Here Capacity wise Large Motor is 15 Hp but Highest Full Load current is 21Amp of 5hp
Single Phase Motor so 125% of Highest Full Load current is 21X125%=26.25Amp
Min Capacity of Cable= (26.25+7+13+19) =65.25 Amp.
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NEC Code 430.24 (Size of Cable for Group of Motors or

Electrical Load)
As specified in 430.24, conductors supplying two or more motors must have an ampacity not less
than 125 % of the full-load current rating of the highest rated motor + the sum of the full-load
current ratings of all the other motors in the group or on the same phase.
It may not be necessary to include all the motors into the calculation. It is permissible to balance
the motors as evenly as possible between phases before performing motor-load calculations.

Example

What is the minimum rating in amperes for conductors supplying 1No of 10 hp, 415-volt, 3-phase
motor at 0.8 P.F and 3 No of 3 hp, 230-volt, single-phase motors at 0.8 P.F.

The full-load current for a 10 hp, 415-volt, 3-phase motor is 13 amperes.

The Full-load current for single-phase 3 hp motors is 12 amperes.

Here for Load Balancing one Single Phase Motor is connected on R Phase Second in B
Phase and third is in Y Phase.
Because the motors are balanced between phases, the full-load current on each phase is
25 amperes (13 + 12 = 25).
Here multiply 13 amperes by 125 %=(13 125% = 16.25 Amp). Add to this value the fullload currents of the other motor on the same phase (16.25 + 12 = 28.25 Amp).
The minimum rating in amperes for conductors supplying these motors is 28 amperes.
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NEC 430/32 Size of Overload Protection for Motor

Overload protection (Heater or Thermal cut out protection) would be a device that thermally
protects a given motor from damage due to heat when loaded too heavy with work.
All continuous duty motors rated more than 1HP must have some type of an approved overload
device.
An overload shall be installed on each conductor that controls the running of the motor rated more
than one horsepower. NEC 430/37 plus the grounded leg of a three phase grounded system must
contain an overload also. This Grounded leg of a three phase system is the only time you may
install an overload or over current device on a grounded conductor that is supplying a motor.
To Find the motor running overload protection size that is required, you must multiply the F.L.C.
(full load current) with the minimum or the maximum percentage ratings as follows;

Maximum Overload

Maximum overload = F.L.C. (full load current of a motor) X allowable % of the maximum
setting of an overload,
130% for motors, found in NEC Article 430/34.
Increase of 5% allowed if the marked temperature rise is not over 40 degrees or the
marked service factor is not less than 1.15.

Minimum Overload

Minimum Overload = F.L.C. (full load current of a motor) X allowable % of the minimum
setting of an overload,
115% for motors found in NEC Article 430/32/B/1.
Increase of 10% allowed to 125% if the marked temperature rise is not over 40 degrees or
the marked service factor is not less than 1.15.