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2019 Ampacity-Calculations

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14 views

2019 Ampacity-Calculations

Uploaded by

lifernost12
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Wire Ampacity and

Calculations according to the


2017 NEC

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Ampacity. The MAXIMUM Current in
amperes, that a conductor can carry
continuously under the conditions of use
without exceeding its temperature rating

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


310.15(A)(3) Temp. Limitations of Conductors

No conductor shall be used in such a


manner that its operating temperature will
exceed that designated for the type of
insulated conductor involved.

FPN talks about ‘Serious Degradation’.


Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Insulation is
Hard,
brown, and
brittle

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Romex – NM, NMC, NMS

90º for
DERATING
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
NEC 2014 Article 110.14
(C) Temperature Limitations. The temperature
rating associated with the ampacity of a conductor shall
be selected and coordinated so as not to exceed the
lowest temperature rating of any connected termination,
conductor, or device. Conductors with temperature
ratings higher than specified for terminations shall be
permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment,
correction, or both.

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


NEC 2014 Article 110.14
(1) Equipment Provisions. The determination of termination provisions of equipment shall be based on
110.14(C)(1) (a) or (C)(1)(b). Unless the equipment is listed and marked otherwise, conductor ampacities used
in determining equipment
termination provisions shall be based on Table 310.15(B)(16) as appropriately modified by 310.15(B)(7).

(a) Termination provisions of equipment for circuits rated 100 amperes or less, or marked for 14 AWG
through 1 AWG conductors, shall be used only for one of the following:

(1) Conductors rated 60°C (140°F).

(2) Conductors with higher temperature ratings, provided the ampacity of such conductors is determined based
on the 60°C (140°F) ampacity of the conductor size used.

(3) Conductors with higher temperature ratings if the equipment is listed and identified for use with such
conductors.

(4) For motors marked with design letters B, C, or D, conductors having an insulation rating of 75°C (167°F) or
higher shall be permitted to be used, provided the ampacity
of such conductors does not exceed the 75°C (167°F) ampacity.

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


NEC 2014 Article 110.14
(b) Termination provisions of equipment for circuits rated over 100 amperes,
or marked for conductors larger than 1 AWG, shall be used only for one of the
following:

(1) Conductors rated 75°C (167°F)

(2) Conductors with higher temperature ratings, provided the ampacity of such
conductors does not exceed the 75°C (167°F) ampacity of the conductor size
used, or up to their ampacity if the equipment is listed and identified for use with
such conductors

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


110.14 (c) (1), & (2)
• Temperature Limitations of Conductors
– #14 thru #1 or 100 amps or less
• Shall use the ampacity from the 60 ° C Column
– Larger than #1 or over 100 amps
• Shall use the ampacity from the 75 ° C Column
– The 90 ° C ampacity can be used for corrections only.
• Ambient Temperature
• Number of Conductors

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
6
350

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Table 310.15(B)(16) Parameters

• Not more than 3 current-carrying


conductors
• Ambient temperature not exceeding 30°
Centigrade or 86° Farenheight

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


T. 310.15(B)(16) Corrections
• Ambient Temperature
– Above 30° C
– Below 30 ° C
• Number of Conductors
– More than 3 current carrying conductors

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Neutral Conductor

• Grounded Conductor
– Carries unbalanced load
– Is not counted if it only carries the
unbalanced load.
– Must be counted as a current carrying
conductor if load consists of flourescent
lighting or other harmonic loads.
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #1
What is the Maximum allowed ampacity for
a single #2 THHN Conductor installed in a
circuit.
Step 1. 110.14(c) (#14 thru #1)
Step 2. Table 310.15(B)(16) (60°C Column)
Step 3. Read Ampacity

95 Amps
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #2
What is the Maximum allowed ampacity for
a single #2 THHN Conductor not installed in
a circuit.
Step 1. Table 310.15(B)(16) (90°C Column)
Step 3. Read Ampacity

130 Amps
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #3
What is the Maximum allowed ampacity for a
single # 500 Kcmil THHN Conductor installed
in a circuit with both 75° and 90° lugs.
Step 1. 110.14(c) (Larger than #1)
Step 2. Table 310.15(B)(16) (75°C Column)
Step 3. Read Ampacity

380 Amps
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Adjustment Factors

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #4
What is the Maximum allowed ampacity
for a single # 500 Kcmil THHN Conductor
in a 56°C environment and terminated ?
Step 1. 110.14(c) (Larger than #1)
Step 2. Table 310.15(B)(16) (90°C Column)
Step 3. 430 Amps X .71 Correction Factor = 305.3 Amps
Step 4. Look at 75°C column (Cannot exceed 380A)
305 Amps
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #5
What is the Maximum allowed ampacity for a
six # 4/0 Kcmil THW Conductors in a 143°F
environment ?
Step 1. 110.14(c) (Larger than #1)
Step 2. Table 310.15(B)(16) (75°C Column) (THW insulation)
Step 3. 230 Amps X .47 (T) = 108.1 Amps
Step 4. 108.1 Amps X .80 (# Cond.) = 86.48 Amps
86 Amps
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Calculations #5

What is the minimum size THHN conductor required for


the branch circuit conductors for a circuit of 120 volts,
with a 10,000 watt load operating for 3.5 hours , located
in a 68° C environment with 3 ungrounded conductors,
1 grounded conductor, and 1 grounding conductor in
conduit, connected to 75° C terminations and devices ?
Existing load is fluorescent lighting
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Keywords in question
What is the minimum size THHN conductor required for
the branch circuit conductors for a circuit of 120 volts,
with a 10,000 watt load operating for 3.5 hours , located
in a 68° C environment with 3 ungrounded conductors,
1 grounded conductor, and 1 grounding conductor in
conduit, connected to 75° C terminations and devices ?

Existing load is fluorescent lighting

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley


Solution to Question #5
§ Step 1: Get Current = watts / volts = 10,000/120 = 83.3 amps

§ Step 2: Continuous = 125% = 83.3 X 125% = 104.125 Amps


§ Definition of Continuous and Article 210.19

§ Step 3: Get Multiplier = .80 X .58 = .464


§ T.310.15(b)(2)(a) = .80 (4-6 conductors)
§ T.310.15(B)(16) = .58 (68 degrees C, 90 C Column)

§ Step 4: Get Wire Ampacity = 104.125 / .464 = 224.407 amps


§ Minimum Ampacity Required

§ Step 5: Select Wire (310.15(B)(16) & 110.14) = #4/0 THHN (75° C)


– Since all connections are stated at 75 degrees C

#4/0 THHN
Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley
Ampacity Test Questions

30 Minutes

Copyright 1999-2019 Dan Dudley

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