Unit 11

Wire Tables and

Conductor Sizes
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Objectives:
Discuss factors that determine conductor
ampacity.
Discuss resistance of wire.
Determine insulation characteristics.
Use temperature correction factors.
Determine conductor resistance.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Objectives:
Determine proper wire sizes.
List parallel conductor requirements.
Discuss testing insulation with a
MEGGER

Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
NEC

Tables and Charts

Chapter 3 of the NEC

provides general
information about "Wiring Methods and
Materials. Tables 310.16 through 310.19 are
the most often referenced tables in the Code.
These tables provide critical information
about conductor ampacity (current-carrying
ability).
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Factors That Determine Ampacity
Conductor Material
Copper
Aluminum
Copper-clad aluminum
nsulation Type
Table 310.13 nsulation information
60C, 75C, or 90C columns
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Factors That Determine Ampacity
Correction Factors are used to adjust
ampacity based on ambient air temperature.
High ambient air temperatures reduce
conductor ampacity.
Low ambient air temperatures increase
conductor ampacity.


Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Factors That Determine Ampacity
Temperature correction factors are found at the
bottom of the tables.
When more than three current-carrying
conductors are installed in the same
raceway, their respective ampacities must
be reduced.
NEC

Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) provides the

percentages used to adjust ampacity.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Resistance of Wire
Four factors determine the resistance of a
length of wire:
1. The type of wire material.
2. The cross sectional area of a conductor
as measured in circular mils (CM).
3. The length of the conductor.
4. The temperature of the conductor.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Resistivity (K) of Materials
As a general rule, the resistance of most
conductive materials increases with rising
temperature. Their resistance decreases
with falling temperatures.
These materials have a positive coefficient
of temperature (K).
Examples: Copper, Aluminum, Tungsten
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Resistivity (K) of Materials
A few conductive materials have
decreasing resistivity with rising
temperature and their resistance increases
with falling temperatures.
These materials have a negative
coefficient of temperature (K).
Examples: Carbon, Silicon, Germanium
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Circular Mil (CM)
A mil is one thousandth of an inch
(0.001).
A circular mil is a circle with a diameter of
one mil.


Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Circular Mil (CM) Area
The diameter of a wire is converted to
mils.
This number in mils is squared.
CM = d
2
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Mil Foot
A wire 1 foot long and 1 mil in diameter.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Computing Resistance
R = (K x L) / CM
R = resistance of the wire
K = ohms per mil foot (Copper = 10.4)
L = length of wire in feet
CM = circular mil area of wire
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Computing Voltage Drop
E = x R (Ohm's Law)
E (volt drop) = x R (wire)
= current
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Computing Single-Phase Voltage Drop
E
D
= (2 x K x x L) / CM
E
D
= voltage drop
K = ohms per mil foot
= current
L = length of conductor in feet
CM = circular mil area of the conductor
Also known as the "Two Kil Formula.
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Computing Three-Phase Voltage Drop
E
D
= (\3 x K x x L) / CM
E
D
= voltage drop
K = ohms per mil foot
= current
L = length of conductor in feet
CM = circular mil area of the conductor
.


Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Parallel Conductor Rules
dentical length of conductors.
dentical conductor material.
dentical conductor circular mil area.
dentical conductor insulation type.
dentical terminations of conductors.
Each raceway contains all phase legs.
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Parallel Conductors
.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
nstallations are often checked with a
MEGGER

before a system is energized.
n order to test the quality of the insulation,
a very high voltage but low current is
impressed on the system.
Thus wiring defects can be determined and
corrected safely.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Testing for shorts with a MEGGER

.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Testing for grounds with a MEGGER

.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Review:
1. The NEC

tables are used for wire sizing.

2. Four factors determine wire resistance:
a. the type of conductor material.
b. the conductor length.
c. the conductor circular mil area.
d. the conductor temperature.


Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Review:
3. Conductor ampacity must be reduced in
high-temperature locations.
4. More than three conductors in a raceway
requires ampacity reduction.
5. Conductor ampacity is affected by the type
of wire insulation.
Unit 11
Wire Tables and Conductor Sizes
Review:
6. The English system uses the mil foot as
a standard reference.
7. Conductors should be checked with a
MEGGER after installation.