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Motor and Air-Conditioning Calculations

This document provides an introduction to unit 7 on motor and air-conditioning calculations. It explains that motors draw much higher currents during startup than normal operation, so Article 430 provides guidance on properly sizing overcurrent protection to avoid nuisance tripping while still protecting the motor. Similar rules in Article 440 address air conditioner protection. The overcurrent protection serves two functions for motors - short-circuit and ground-fault protection is provided by a fuse or breaker sized to allow startup, while overload protection with a time delay is provided by devices in the magnetic starter. Article 430 also specifies minimum conductor sizing for motor circuits and feeders. Installations may appear to have oversized overcurrent devices but comply with Article 430 requirements for motors

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136 views

Motor and Air-Conditioning Calculations

This document provides an introduction to unit 7 on motor and air-conditioning calculations. It explains that motors draw much higher currents during startup than normal operation, so Article 430 provides guidance on properly sizing overcurrent protection to avoid nuisance tripping while still protecting the motor. Similar rules in Article 440 address air conditioner protection. The overcurrent protection serves two functions for motors - short-circuit and ground-fault protection is provided by a fuse or breaker sized to allow startup, while overload protection with a time delay is provided by devices in the magnetic starter. Article 430 also specifies minimum conductor sizing for motor circuits and feeders. Installations may appear to have oversized overcurrent devices but comply with Article 430 requirements for motors

Uploaded by

josedavid2898980
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Motor and

7 Air-Conditioning
UNIT

Calculations
Introduction to Unit 7—Motor and Air-Conditioning Calculations
Motor circuits have special requirements that affect how the overcurrent protection is sized and installed. Motors typically draw about six
times as much current at start-up as they draw during normal operation. Article 430 provides guidance on how to properly protect the motor
from overcurrent and still avoid nuisance tripping of the fuse or circuit breaker protecting the motor. Similar rules are included in Article 440
for air conditioners.
The Code definition of “Overcurrent” is made up of three factors: short circuits, ground faults, and overloads. For motors, the function of
overcurrent protection is divided into two parts. The short-circuit and ground-fault protection of a motor is usually provided by a fuse or cir-
cuit breaker which is sized large enough to let the motor start, but too large to provide overload protection. Overload protection is provided to
protect the motor and wiring at a value close to the actual running current of the motor, but with sufficient time delay to allow the motor to
start. This protection is often provided by the “heaters” which are overload sensing devices in a magnetic starter.
Article 430 spells out the minimum sizing of conductors for motor branch circuits and feeders as well. When conductors and short-circuit
ground-fault protection are sized based on Article 430, the fuse or circuit breaker may appear to be much larger than it should be for the
conductors selected. Make sure everything is sized correctly based on Article 430, then don’t be concerned. The overcurrent protection rules
of Article 240 don’t apply to motors or air conditioners, so often an installation may not “look right,” even though it complies with Article 430
requirements for motors and Article 440 for air conditioners.
Careful study of this unit will help you understand the sometimes confusing requirements of Articles 430 and 440.

Part A—Motor Calculations


7.1 Scope of Article 430

Scope [430.1]. Article 430 covers motors, motor branch-cir-


cuit and feeder conductors and their protection, motor over-
load protection, motor control circuits, motor controllers,
and motor control centers. This article is divided into many
parts, the most important being: Figure 7–1
• General—Part I
• Circuit Conductors—Part II
• Overload Protection—Part III
• Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection—Part IV
• Feeder-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection—Part V
• Control Circuits—Part VI Figure 7–1
• Controllers—Part VII
• Motor Control Centers—Part VIII
• Disconnecting Means—Part IX

Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. • www.MikeHolt.com • 1.888.NEC.CODE (1.888.632.2633) 193

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