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Motor CaIcuIations, Part 2: Feeders

What is the correct way to size motor feeders and reIated overcurrent protection?
Mike HoIt for EC&M Magazine
n Part 1, we looked at how to size motor overloads. We also looked at how to size circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protection for motor branch circuits. The key lesson learned there is motor overload
protection requires separate calculations from short-circuit and ground-fault protection. Understanding
this fact clears up a common source of confusion and a common point of error. But, another source of
confusion arises when it comes to sizing short-circuit and ground-fault protection for a feeder that
supplies more than one motor. Let's look again at branch calculations, then resolve the feeder issues so
your calculations will always be correct.
Branch-circuit conductors and protection devices
Per 430.6(A), branch-circuit conductors to a single motor must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of
the motor FLC as listed in Tables 430.147 through 430.150. To illustrate this, let's size the branch-circuit
conductors (THHN) and short-circuit ground-fault protection device for a 3-hp, 115V, 1 motor. The motor
nameplate FLC is 31A, and we're using dual-element fuses for short-circuit and ground-fault protection.
See Figure 7-16.
O The FLC current per Table 430.148 is 34A.
O 34A x 125% = 43A.
O Per Table 310.16 (60C terminals), the conductor must be a 6 AWG THHN rated 55A.
You size the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection devices by using multiplication factors
based on the type of motor and the type of protection device per the motor FLC listed in Table 430.52.
When the protection device values determined from Table 430.52 do not correspond with the standard
rating of overcurrent protection devices listed in 240.6(A), you must use the next higher overcurrent
protection device. To illustrate this, let's use the same motor as in the previous example.
O Per [240.6(A)], multiply 34A x 175%
O You need a 60A dual-element fuse.
To explore this example further, see Example No. D8 in Annex D. Once you've sized the motor overloads,
branch circuit conductors, and branch circuit protective devices, you are ready to move on to the next
step.
Motor feeder conductor calculations
From 430.24, we see conductors that supply several motors must have an ampacity that is not less than:
O 125% of the highest-rated motor FLC [430.17], plus
O the sum of the FLCs of the other motors (on the same phase), as determined by [430.6(A)], plus
O the ampacity required to supply the other loads on that feeder.
Let's look at Figure 7-12 and solve the following problem:
For what ampacity must you size the feeder conductor, if it is supplying the following two motors? One is
71/2-hp, 230V (40A), 1; the other is 5-hp, 230V (28A), 1. The terminals are rated for 75C.
(a) 50A (b) 60A (c) 70A (d) 80A
o Answer: (d) 80A.
How did we arrive at this answer? Let's walk through the solution.
O The largest motor is 40A.
O 40A x 1.25 + 28A = 78A.
O Rounding up to the next ten gives us 80A.
What size conductor would give us this ampacity?
(a) 2 AWG (b) 4 AWG (c) 6 AWG (d) 8 AWG
Let's see how to select the correct answer. By looking at Table 310.16, we find a 6 AWG at 75C provides
65A of ampacity, so it is too small. However, a 4 AWG conductor provides 85A of ampacity, which will
accommodate the 80A we need. Therefore, you need to size this feeder conductor at 4 AWG.
Next, we have to answer another question. What size overcurrent protection device (OCPD) must we
provide for a given feeder? Using a slightly more complex example, try sizing the feeder conductor
(THHN) and protection device (inverse-time breakers 75C terminal rating) for the following motors
(Figure 7-17):
O Three 1-hp, 120V, 1 motors
O Three 5-hp, 208V, 1 motors
O One wound-rotor 15-hp, 208V, 3 motor
Did you get the right answers? Let's walk through this and see. Our references are 240.6(A),
430.52(C)(1), Tables 430.148, and Table 430.52. We'll start by determining the ampacities required for
each size of motor, then walk through each step until we arrive at the correct OCPD size.
O 1-hp: FLC is 16A. 16A x 250% = 40A
O 5-hp: FLC is 30.8A. 30.8A x 250% = 77A. Next size up = 80A.
O 15-hp: FLC is 46.2A. 46.2A x 150% (wound-rotor) = 69A: Next size up = 70A.
Now, let's look at the feeder conductor. Conductors that supply several motors must have an ampacity of
not less than 125% of the highest-rated motor FLC [430.17], plus the sum of the other motor FLCs
[430.6(A)]. See Figure 7-18.
Continuing on with this example, add up all the ampacities, multiplying the highest rated motor by 125%.
Thus, (46.2A x 1.25) + 30.8A + 30.8A + 16A = 136A. From Table 310.16, we see we need 1/0 AWG
THHN because at 150A it is the smallest conductor that accommodates the 136A of ampacity we're
working with. When sizing the feeder conductor, be sure to include only the motors that are on the same
phase. For that reason, we used only four motors in this calculation.
You must provide the feeder with a protective device having a rating or setting not greater than the largest
rating or setting of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device (plus the sum of the
full-load currents of the other motors of the group) [430.62(A)]. Remember, motor feeder conductors must
have protection against the overcurrent resulting from short circuits and ground-faults but not those
resulting from motor overload.
Let's illustrate this with a sample motor feeder protection calculation. What size feeder protection
(inverse-time breaker) do you need for the following two motors? They are a 5-hp, 230V, 1 motor and a
3-hp, 230V, 1 motor. Refer to Figure 7-13.
(a) 30A breaker (b) 40A breaker (c) 50A breaker (d) 80A breaker
o Answer: (d) 80A breaker.
Let's walk through the solution.
1. Get the motor FLC from Table 430.148.
O A 5-hp motor FLC is 28A.
O A 3-hp motor FLC is 17A.
2. Size the branch-circuit protection per the requirements of 430.52(C)(1), Table 430.52, and 240.6(A)]
O 5-hp: 28A x 2.5 = 70A.
O 3-hp: 17A x 2.5 = 42.5A. The next size up is 45A.
3. Size the feeder conductor per 430.24(A).
O The largest motor is 28A.
O (28A x 1.25) + 17A = 52A.
O Table 310.16 shows 6 AWG rated 55A at 60C as the smallest conductor with sufficient ampacity.
4. Size the feeder protection per 430.62.
O t must not be greater than the 70A protection of the branch circuit plus the 17A of the other motor
(which is the total of all loads on that feeder).
O 70A + 17A = 87A.
O The next size down is 80A, so that is the breaker you choose. Here is where many people get
confused and say something must be wrong. How can you be safe if you are selecting the next
size down instead of the next size up? Remember, you have already accounted for all the loads
and the NEC requires that you not exceed the protection of the branch circuit. Again, keep in
mind that you are not calculating for motor overload protection, here. Motor calculations are
different from other calculations. With motor feeders, you are calculating for protection from short
circuits and ground faults, only-not overload.
That seemed like a lot of steps, but by proceeding methodically you will arrive at the correct answer. See
Example D8 in Annex D of the NEC, for more detail. Also, see Figure 7-19.
When sizing the feeder protection, be sure to include only the motors that are on the same phase. For
that reason, we used only four motors in this calculation.
Putting it all together
Motor calculations get confusing when you forget there's a division of responsibility in the protective
devices. To get your motor calculations right, you must separately calculate the motor overload protection
(typically located near the motor), the branch circuit protection (from short circuits and ground faults), and
the feeder circuit protection (from short circuits and ground faults). Remember that overload protection is
at the motor, only.
Any time you find yourself confused, just refer to NEC Figure 430.1. t allows you to clearly see the
division of responsibility between different forms of protection in motor circuits. Example D8 illustrates this
with actual numbers. Keeping this division of responsibility in mind will allow you to make correct motor
calculations every time.

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