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Article 430 provides the requirements for electric motors while Art. 440 offers amended and additional requirements for hermetic motors, such
as those used in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Motor applications are complex, because theyre inductive loads with a highcurrent demand at startup. Because this inrush is typically six times the running current, overcurrent protection for motor applications must
differ from other equipment.
You might be uncomfortable with some of the Art. 430 allowances for overcurrent protection. But once you understand how motor protection
works, youll understand why these allowances are not only safe, but also necessary.
Table FLC versus motor nameplate current rating (FLA). The motor full-load current ratings listed in Tables 430.247, 430.248, and 430.250 are
used to determine:
Conductor ampacity [430.22].
Branch circuit short circuit and ground fault overcurrent device size [430.52 and 430.62].
Ampere rating of disconnecting switches [430.110].
The table selected for this purpose depends on the type of motor being used. The correct full-load current (FLC) is selected from:
Table 430.247 direct current motors
Table 430.248 single-phase motors
Table 430.250 3-phase motors
However, for some specific types of motors, the actual nameplate full-load amperes (FLA) must be used instead of the FLC (see FLA vs. FLC).
Use the nameplate FLA when sizing conductors, branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protection, and disconnecting switches for:
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Conductor size
If for a single motor, size conductors at least 125% of the motor FLC rating as listed in Table 430.247 [Direct-Current Motors], Table 430.248
[Single-Phase Motors], or Table 430.250 [Three-Phase Motors] (430.22). Lets review a sample problem for clarity.
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What size 75C branch circuit conductor is required for a 7-hp, 230V, 3-phase motor, as shown in Fig. 1?
Motor FLC = 22A [Table 430.250]
Conductors size = 22A 1.25 = 27.50A
A check of Table 310.15(B)(16) reveals that a 10 AWG conductor is rated 30A at 75C.
Note: The branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protection device using an inverse time breaker is sized at 60A, according to 430.52(C)(1)
Ex 1:
Circuit protection = 22A 2.50 = 55A, next size up 60A [240.6(A)]
Circuit conductors that supply several motors must not be smaller than the minimum ampacity found by adding [430.24]:
125% of the FLC of the highest rated motor.
The FLCs of other motors
For this purpose, the highest rated motor is the one with the highest FLC [430.17]. Lets review another example for clarity.
What size 75C feeder conductor is required for two 7-hp, 230V, 3-phase motors if the terminals are rated for 75C?
Motor FLC = 22A [Table 430.250]
Motor feeder conductor = (22A 1.25) + 22A = 49.50A
A check of Table 310.15(B)(16) reveals that an 8 AWG conductor is rated 50A at 75C.
Note: The feeder overcurrent device (inverse time circuit breaker) must comply with 430.62 as follows:
Step 1: Determine the largest branch circuit overcurrent device rating [240.6(A) and 430.52(C)(1) Ex 1]: 22A 2.50 = 55A, next size up is 60A
Step 2: Size the feeder overcurrent device in accordance with 240.6(A) and 430.62: 60A + 22A = 82A, next size down is 80A
Note: The next-size-up protection rule for branch circuits [430.52(C)(1) Ex 1] doesnt apply to motor feeder short circuit and ground fault
protection device sizing.
Taps
For motor circuit conductors tapped from a feeder [430.28], determine the ampacity per 430.22. The tap conductors must terminate in a branch
circuit short circuit and ground fault protection device sized per 430.52.
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Overload protection
A fault, such as a short circuit or ground fault, isnt an overload [Art. 100]. Overload is the operation of equipment in excess of its current rating
or where current is in excess of the conductor ampacity.
Sustained overload will dangerously overheat the equipment or even destroy it. So we want to protect motors, motor control equipment, and
motor branch circuit conductors against excessive heating from overload. You must install an overload protection device for each ungrounded
conductor [430.37].
Motor circuit overload protection requirements are in Art. 430, Part III. These are for overload and failure-to-start protection only. Overload
protection isnt required if it might introduce additional or increased hazards, as in the case of fire pumps (see 695.7).
Because of the difference between starting and running current (see Starting, Running, and Locked), overcurrent protection for motors
differs from that of other circuits. Generally, the motor overload device is separate from the short circuit and ground fault protection device
(Art. 430 Part IV) [Fig. 2].
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Overload devices come in many configurations. They can be conventional heaters or electronic. You can use a fuse sized per 430.32. If you use
fuses for overload protection, provide one for each ungrounded conductor [430.36].
You can use a single overcurrent device to protect a motor against overload, short circuit, and ground fault [430.55]. However, you must size it
to the overload requirements in 430.32.
Continuous duty
Motors rated more than 1 hp, used in a continuous-duty application without integral thermal protection, must have an overload device sized to
open at no more than 115% of the motor nameplate FLC rating [430.32(A)(1)]. But size the overload device no more than 125% of the nameplate
FLC if:
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The motor branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protective device must be capable of carrying the motors starting current [430.52(B)].
Install a branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protective device on each motor circuit, and ensure that it is sized no greater than the
percentages listed in Table 430.52. Lets take a look at another example problem.
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What size 75C conductor and inverse time circuit breaker are required for a 2-hp, 230V, single-phase motor?
Step 1: Determine the branch circuit conductor [Table 310.15(B)(16), 430.22, and Table 430.248]: 12A 1.25 = 15A
As per Table 310.15(B)(16), a 14 AWG conductor is rated 20A at 75C.
Step 2: Determine the branch circuit protection [240.6(A), 430.52(C)(1), and Table 430.248]: 12A 2.50 = 30A
Overcurrent protection for motors is different than protection for other types of electrical loads, and the values you come up with might not
seem right based on your experience with other types of applications. Protecting a 14 AWG conductor with a 30A circuit breaker, for example,
just looks wrong. But keep in mind that motor branch circuit conductors are protected against overloads by the overload device. That device is
sized between 115% and 125% of the motor nameplate current rating [430.32].
The small conductor rule contained in 240.4(D), which limits 15A protection for 14 AWG, doesnt apply to motor circuit protection. See 240.4(D)
and 240.4(G).
Feeder protection
You need to protect motor feeder conductors against short circuits and ground faults. But how do you size the protective device to handle this
job? First, determine which motor on the feeder has the largest rated branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protective device. Next, add up
the FLCs of the other motors in the group. Finally, add that sum to the device rating from the first step [430.62(A)].
The next-size-up protection rule for branch circuits [430.52(C)(1) Ex 1] doesnt apply to a motor feeder protection device rating. Thus, you may
need to round down to the protection device that does not exceed that calculated value. An example problem helps illustrate this.
What size feeder protection (inverse time breakers with 75C terminals) and 75C conductors do you need for the following two motors (Fig. 4)?
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based on these tables, which are intended to be large enough for any motor design of a particular horsepower rating.
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