Sizing Conductors, Part XV

Correction And Adjustment Factors

Published: August 2012
By Charles R. Miller

Table 310.15(B)(16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides allowable or
maximum ampacities for insulated conductors rated up to and including 2,000 volts (V).
When sizing conductors, more is involved than just looking in Table 310.15(B)(16) and
selecting a conductor based on the ampacity shown. The ampacities in this table are
based on no more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway, cable or earth
(directly buried). The ampacities are also based on an ambient temperature of 30C.
When there are more than three current-carrying conductors and/or the ambient
temperature is other than 30C, the table ampacities must be adjusted and/or corrected.
Therefore, factors, such as ambient temperature and the number of current-carrying
conductors, must be considered when sizing conductors. Other factors, such as the
temperature ratings of the terminations and continuous loads, also must be considered
when sizing conductors.
Last months column covered both the ambient temperature correction factor and the
adjustment factor for adjacent current-carrying conductors. This month, the discussion
continues with other factors that must be considered when sizing conductors.
This series on sizing conductors previously covered continuous loads but only when the
ambient temperature was 30C and the number of current-carrying conductors did not
exceed three. If the ambient temperature is something other than 30C and/or there are
more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway, cable or earth (directly
buried) and the load is continuous, it will be necessary to perform separate calculations.
Perform the first calculation to meet the requirements for termination temperature
limitations; with this calculation, continuous loads shall be included at 125 percent.
Perform the second calculation to meet the requirements for ambient temperature in
310.15(B)(2); with this calculation, apply the Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factors if
there are more than three current-carrying conductors in the raceway, cable or earth
(directly buried).
After performing both calculations, if the results are different size conductors, select the
largest conductor. The largest conductor shall be protected against overcurrent in
accordance with its ampacity specified in 310.15, unless otherwise permitted or required
in 240.4(A) through (G). For example, two three-phase, 4-wire panelboards will be
installed next to each other in an industrial facility. The loads in each panelboard will be
identical. There will be 68 amperes (A) of continuous loads and 51A of noncontinuous
loads in each panelboard. The major portion of the load in each panelboard will consist of
nonlinear loads. The feeders for these panelboards share a common raceway for
approximately 150 feet. There will also be an equipment grounding conductor in this
raceway. All terminations will be rated 75C. The maximum ambient temperature will be
35C. What size THHN copper ungrounded (hot) feeder conductors are required to supply
each panelboard?
Start by performing the calculation to meet the requirements in 110.14(C) for
termination temperature limitations. In accordance with 215.2(A)(1), feeder conductors
shall have an ampacity not less than required to supply the load. This same section also
states that the minimum feeder-circuit conductor size, before the application of any
adjustment or correction factors, shall have an allowable ampacity not less than the
noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load. In this example, the
continuous load is 68A. After multiplying by 125 percent (or 1.25), the continuous load is
85A (68 1.25 = 85). Now add the noncontinuous loads to this number. These
ungrounded feeder conductors must have an ampacity of at least 136A (85 + 51 = 136).
Although the THHN conductors are rated 90C, the allowable ampacity shall not exceed
the 75C column because of the terminations [see 110.14(C)(1)(b)]. The minimum size
conductors, from the 75C column, are 1/0 AWG copper conductors. Therefore, the
minimum size conductors selected to meet the requirements for termination temperature
limitations are 1/0 AWG copper conductors (see Figure 1).
Now perform a second calculation to meet the requirements for ambient temperature
correction factors and Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factors. Ambient temperature
correction factors and Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factors are also referred to as
the conditions of use. As previously mentioned, the minimum feeder-circuit conductor
size, before the application of any adjustment or correction factors, shall have an
allowable ampacity not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the
continuous load [215.2(A)(1)].
This section seems to be saying to add the continuous load at 125 percent to the
noncontinuous load at 100 percent and then size the conductors in accordance with
adjustment and/or correction factors. But that is not what it is saying.
As defined in Article 100, ampacity is the maximum current, in amperes, that a
conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its
temperature rating. As previously mentioned, the conditions of use are ambient
temperature and the number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable. When
correcting the ampacity because of ambient temperature and/or adjusting the ampacity
because of more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable, use the
actual load: use 100 percent of the noncontinuous load and 100 percent of the
continuous load. In this example, the noncontinuous load is 51A, and the continuous load
is 68A. Therefore, after derating for ambient temperature and for more than three
current-carrying conductors in the raceway, the conductors shall have an allowable
ampacity of at least 119A (68 + 51 = 119), not 136A.
Because the major portion of the load in each panelboard will consist of nonlinear loads,
the neutral conductors shall be counted as current-carrying conductors [see
310.15(B)(5)(c)]. Since there are two three-phase, 4-wire feeders in one raceway and
the neutrals are counted, there are eight current-carrying conductors in this one
raceway. The adjustment factor from Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) for eight current-carrying
conductors is 70 percent (or 0.70). The maximum ambient temperature in this example
will be 35C. Conductors with temperature ratings higher than specified for terminations
shall be permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment, correction or both [110.14(C)].
The temperature rating for a THHN conductor is 90C. Although the terminations limit
the ampacity to the 75C column, it is permissible to use the ampacity in the 90C
column for correction and adjustment. Therefore, the Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) correction
factor, in the 90C column, for an ambient temperature of 35C is 0.96.
To find the minimum ampacity, divide the actual load by the adjustment and correction
factors. After dividing the load of 119A by the adjustment factor, the ampacity is 170A
(119 0.70 = 170). After dividing 170A by the correction factor of 0.96, the ampacity is
177A (170 0.96 = 177.08 = 177). Now select a copper conductor from the 90C
column of Table 310.15(B)(16) that has an ampacity of at least 177A. The minimum size
90C conductors selected to meet the requirements for ambient temperature correction
factors and Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factors are 2/0 AWG copper conductors
(see Figure 2).
Because the results of the two calculations are different size conductors, compare them,
and select the largest. The minimum size selected to meet the requirements for
termination temperature limitations are 1/0 AWG copper conductors. The minimum size
selected to meet the requirements for ambient temperature correction factors and Table
310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factors are 2/0 AWG copper conductors. Therefore, the
minimum size ungrounded (hot) feeder conductors required to supply each panelboard
are 2/0 AWG copper conductors.
To verify that the conductor selected is the correct size, multiply the conductors
allowable ampacity by the adjustment and correction factors. After derating, the
conductors must have an allowable ampacity of at least 119A (68 + 51 = 119). Start by
finding the conductor and the listed ampacity in Table 310.15(B)(16). The allowable
ampacity for a 2/0 AWG THHN copper conductor, in the 90C column, is 195A. Multiply
195A by the Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) adjustment factor of 70 percent (195 0.70 =
136.5). Now multiply 136.5A by the Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) correction factor of 0.96
(136.5 0.96 = 131.04 = 131). After derating because of ambient temperature and the
number of current-carrying conductors, the maximum ampacity is 131A. Since the actual
load is 119A, 2/0 AWG THHN copper conductors are permitted (see Figure 3).
Next months column continues the discussion of sizing conductors.

MILLER, owner of Lighthouse Educational Services, teaches classes and seminars on the
electrical industry. He is the author of Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code
and The Electricians Exam Prep Manual. He can be reached at
615.333.3336, charles@charlesRmiller.com and www.charlesRmiller.com.
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