Conductor Ampacity Based on the 1996 National Electrical Code

Ampacity Based on NEC Table 310-16 Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated 0 through 2000 Volts, 60 to 90C (140 to 194F). Not more than three current-carrying conductors in raceway or cable or earth (directly buried), based on ambient temperature of 30C (86F) For conduit fill see 1996 NEC Appendix C. For Information on Temperature Ratings of Terminations to Equipment See NEC Section 110-14(c)
Size 60C (140F) 75C (167F) Types FEPWj, RHj, RHWj, THHWj, THWj, THWNj, XHHWj, USEj, ZWj Temperature Rating of Conductor. See Table 310-13. 90C (194F) Types TBS, SA, SIS, FEPj, FEPBj, MI, RHHj, RHW-2, THHNj, THHWj, THW-2j, THWN-2j, USE-2, XHH, XHHWj, XHHW-2, ZW-2 60C (140F) 75C (167F) Types RHj, RHWj, THHWj, THWj, THWNj, XHHWj, USEj 90C (194F) Types TBS, SA, SIS, THHNj, THHWj, THW-2, THWN-2, RHHj, RHW-2, USE-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW-2 Size

AWG kcmil

Types TWj, UFj

Types TWj, UFj

AWG kcmil

Copper 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 300 350 400 500 600 700 750 800 900 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 .... .... 20j 25j 30 40 55 70 85 95 110 125 145 165 195 215 240 260 280 320 355 385 400 410 435 455 495 520 545 560 .... .... 20j 25j 35j 50 65 85 100 115 130 150 175 200 230 255 285 310 335 380 420 460 475 490 520 545 590 625 650 665 14 18 25j 30j 40j 55 75 95 110 130 150 170 195 225 260 290 320 350 380 430 475 520 535 555 585 615 665 705 735 750 .... .... .... 20j 25 30 40 55 65 75 85 100 115 130 150 170 190 210 225 260 285 310 320 330 355 375 405 435 455 470

Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum .... .... .... 20j 30j 40 50 65 75 90 100 120 135 155 180 205 230 250 270 310 340 375 385 395 425 445 485 520 545 560 .... .... .... 25j 35j 45 60 75 85 100 115 135 150 175 205 230 255 280 305 350 385 420 435 450 480 500 545 585 615 630 .... .... .... 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 300 350 400 500 600 700 750 800 900 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

Correction Factors
Ambient Temp. C 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-70 71-80 For ambient temperatures other than 30C (86F), multiply the allowable ampacities shown above by the appropriate factor shown below. 1.08 1.00 .91 .82 .71 .58 .41 .... .... .... 1.05 1.00 .94 .88 .82 .75 .67 .58 .33 .... 1.04 1.00 .96 .91 .87 .82 .76 .71 .58 .41 1.08 1.00 .91 .82 .71 .58 .41 .... .... .... 1.05 1.00 .94 .88 .82 .75 .67 .58 .33 .... 1.04 1.00 .96 .91 .87 .82 .76 .71 .58 .41 Ambient Temp. F 70-77 78-86 87-95 96-104 105-113 114-122 123-131 132.140 141-158 159-176

j Unless otherwise specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, the overcurrent protection for conductor types marked with an obelisk (j) shall not exceed 15 amperes for No. 14, 20 amperes for No. 12, and 30 amperes for No. 10 copper; or 15 amperes for No. 12 and 25 amperes for No. 10 aluminum and copper-clad aluminum after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.

Ratings for 120/240 volts, 3-Wire, Single-Phase Dwelling Services See NEC Table 310-16 Note 3 These are permitted ratings for Dwelling Unit service and feeder conductors which carry the total load of the dwelling.
Rating (amps) Copper Aluminum 100 4 2 110 3 1 125 2 1/0 150 1 2/0 175 1/0 3/0 200 2/0 4/0 225 3/0 250 4/0 300 350 400

NEC 240-3 Protection of Conductors Conductors, other than flexible cords and fixture wires, shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with their ampacities as specified in NEC Section 310-15, unless otherwise permitted or required in parts (a) through (m) of Section 240-3. NEC 220-3 (a) Continuous and Noncontinuous Loads The branch-circuit rating shall not be less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load. (See Exception for 100% rated devices) NEC 220-10 (b) Continuous and Noncontinuous Loads Where a feeder supplies continuous loads or any combination of continuous and noncontinuous loads, the rating of the overcurrent device shall not be less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load. (See Exception for 100% rated devices) NEC 430-22 (a) Single Motor Circuit Conductors Branch-circuit conductors supplying a single motor shall have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the motor full-load current rating. (See Exceptions)

250 kcmil 350 kcmil 400 kcmil

250 kcmil 300 kcmil 350 kcmil 500 kcmil 600 kcmil

Adjustment Factors Where the number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable exceeds three, the allowable ampacities shall be reduced as shown in the following table:
Number of Current-Carrying Conductors 4 through 6 7 through 9 10 through 20 21 through 30 31 through 40 41 and Above See exceptions to Note 8 of notes to ampacity tables 0 to 2000 volts. Percent of Values in Tables as Adjusted for Ambient Temperature as Necessary 80 70 50 45 40 35

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