Abstract of NEC for Size of Cable for Single or Group of Motors

Abstract of National Electrical Code for Size of Cable for Motors:

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.

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 an ampacity 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, 3phase 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.

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 full-load

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.

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.