NEC Wire, Conduit &

Ground Wire Sizing

EDSA MICRO CORPORATION
16870 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 330
San Diego, CA 92127
U.S.A.

Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved


Version 3.10.00 October 2008

NEC Sire Sizing
EDSA MICRO CORPORATION


WARRANTY INFORMATION


There is no warranty, implied or otherwise, on EDSA software. EDSA software is licensed to you as is. This program
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provide any person with, such revision or change.

EDSA programs come with verification and validation of methodology of calculation based on EDSA Micro
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results against published samples. However, we do not guarantee, or warranty, any programoutputs, results, or
conclusions reached fromdata generated by any programs which are all sold "as is".

Since the meaning of QA/QC and the verification and validation of a programmethodology are domains of vast
interpretation, users are encouraged to performtheir own inhouse verification and validation based on their own
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Copyright 1989 - 2008 by EDSA Micro Corporation.



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i

NEC Sire Sizing
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS


I. FOREWORD..................................................................................................................................................1
II. CALCULATIONS..........................................................................................................................................1
III. DATA TABLES..............................................................................................................................................1
IV. FEATURES.....................................................................................................................................................2
V. GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR...............................................................................................2
VI. MINIMUM SIZE EQUIPMENT GROUND CONDUCTOR........................................................................2
VII. GENERAL INFORMATION.........................................................................................................................3
VIII. RACEWAY CONFIGURATIONS FOR SIZING AND CONDUCTOR DERATING.................................3
IX. VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS...........................................................................................................4
X. SUPPLEMENTARY VALIDATION PROBLEMS.....................................................................................10
1.0 Network Based NEC Wire Sizing.................................................................................................................14
1.1 Feeder Type Option........................................................................................................................21
1.2 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit.....................................................................22
1.3 Copying and Pasting Wire Sizing Studies......................................................................................26
2.0 Standalone NEC Wire Sizing........................................................................................................................28
2.1 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit (Standalone Method)...................................34
2.2 Accessing Tables and Databases.....................................................................................................36
2.2.1 Wire Tables.......................................................................................................................37
2.2.2 Conductor Properties Tables.............................................................................................41
2.2.3 Raceway Tables................................................................................................................44
2.3 Creating a New Master Wire Database.......................................................................................45
2.3.1 Assigning a New Default Master Wire Database.............................................................46



NEC Sire Sizing
iii
Tables

Table 1..........................................................................................................................................................................6
Table 2..........................................................................................................................................................................7
Table 3..........................................................................................................................................................................8
Table 4..........................................................................................................................................................................9
Table 5..........................................................................................................................................................................9





Note: You can view this manual using your CD as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. The file name is:


NEC Wire Sizing NEC_Wire_Sizing.pdf


You will find the Test/J ob files used in this tutorial at the following location:

C:\DesignBase\Samples\NECWireSz = NEC Wire Sizing


Test Files: EDSA_WS, WIRE_SA





























Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved

NEC Wire Sizing
I. FOREWORD

The Wire Sizing program accepts user's information regarding the components to be used for an
electrical system. Based on this information, the program computes the smallest allowable wire size
which meets user's specifications. The program also computes the conduit size required, and the
voltage drop in Volts and in percentages. The program allows the user to define many sets of data
and to perform the corresponding calculations on each individual set. Each set is called a "branch".
Thus, the program maintains the user's list of branches with the calculations for each branch.

II. CALCULATIONS

The program can:

Size power conductors according to NEC for the following conditions:
- Any number of conductors in a single conduit or raceway. Additional power conductors
can be added to the conduit to affect the derating of the conductor.
- Circuits involving multiple conductors per phase.
- Single conductor cables in a cable tray.

Size system grounding electrode conductors.

Size equipment grounding conductors.

Calculate voltage drop at design load for single-phase two- and three-wire circuits, and
three-phase three-wire and four-wire circuits.

Size conduits, raceways and cable trays for all power conductor conditions listed above.

III. DATA TABLES

All data tables used by the program are completely accessible and can be edited by the user. They
are as follows:

Ampacity tables;

Ambient temperature and multiple conductor adjustments;

AC resistance and reactance of conductors;

Conductor dimensions;

Insulation properties;

Conduit, raceway, and cable tray dimensions.

Multiple wire table data files can be maintained to meet the needs of different projects.

Conduit, raceway and cable tray dimensions can be input by the user to match any desired system.
Several generic types are supplied by EDSA.
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NEC Wire Sizing
IV. FEATURES

The user interface is completely menu driven. Calculations are done on-screen with a Windows
spreadsheet style editing screen.

Default parameters can be set at two levels to control wire and conduit sizing:

MASTER DEFAULTS

Master defaults are stored in the wire sizing table file. These values are used to initialize a new job
file, and can be customized by the user.

JOB DEFAULTS

The default parameters can be further customized for each individual job file without affecting the
master default settings. All of these defaults may be overridden for each individual circuit in the job
file. A wire size can be specified by the user. In this case, the program calculates the voltage drop,
and checks the actual derated ampacity against the load.

If a conduit size is specified by the user, the actual fill is checked against the allowable fill for the
given size.

Additional wires of a given size, or type, can be specified as running in the same conduit with the
circuit being sized. These wires can be specified as power conductors, in which case they affect
both conduit fill and ampacity, or as control wires, in which case they affect only the conduit fill.

V. GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR

This part of the program computes the size of the required grounding electrode conductor for a
specified service entrance.

First, define the service entrance conductor(s) by specifying the type "S" (to instruct the program to
size a service entrance based on a given load), or "PS" (to directly input a service entrance
conductor size).

Next, define the grounding electrode conductor by specifying a type "SG" wire. Be sure to select
the material ("AL" or "CU") from the detail screen. (AL =Aluminum, CU =Copper)

The program will select a grounding electrode conductor based on the total area of all type "S" and
"PS" wires. (See Article 250-94 NEC 2000.)

VI. MINIMUM SIZE EQUIPMENT GROUND CONDUCTOR

This part of the program computes the minimum size equipment grounding conductors for
grounding raceway and equipment if given the rating of the automatic overcurrent device, and the
material of the conductor.

Select an equipment ground conductor by specifying a type "EG" wire. The value entered in the
load column will be used as the rating, or overcurrent, device setting to select the conductor. See
NEC 2000, Article 250-95.
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NEC Wire Sizing
VII. GENERAL INFORMATION

Ampacities and ambient correction factors are based on the Table #310-16 and #310-17, NEC
2000.

Derating due to the number of conductors in a conduit is based on the Table on page 70-166, NEC
2000.

Derating due to temperature is based on Table #310-16 and #310-17, NEC 2000.

Conduit, raceway, and cable tray selections are based on the total wire area plus insulation based
on Table #5, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Bare wire area is based on Table #8, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Voltage drops are calculated for single-phase two- or three-wires; three-phase three- or four-wires.
See IEEE Std and Beeman.

AC resistance and reactance are based on Table #9, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Types of loads:

A = current to be specified, in amps;

KW = KW to be specified;

KVA = KVA to be specified;

HP = horsepower with the percentage efficiency to be specified.

Note that the current required must be determined. If known, the current can be directly entered.
Otherwise, user can enter KW, KVA, or HP. The program will then compute how much current is
generated by the specified load and will take 125% of the computed load current for wire size
calculations. (125% value can be changed by user to any desired percentage.)

For KW, program uses % Power Factor (J ob Default).

For KVA, user must enter KVA.

For HP, user must enter horsepower. Program uses percentage Power Factor and percentage
Efficiency (J ob Default).

The generated current will be computed using these quantities and the above mentioned voltage
and phase.

Next, user must enter information about the additional conductors which will share the conduit. For
each conductor, user will enter its number and type, its wire size, and its type of insulation.


VIII. RACEWAY CONFIGURATIONS FOR SIZING AND CONDUCTOR DERATING

Four configurations of raceways/cable trays are supported. Define the configuration for each
3

NEC Wire Sizing
raceway data set by selecting the Tables/Raceway Data menu and entering one of the following
codes in the type field:

C Single conduit for all conductors;

P Separate parallel conduits for each set of phase conductors. (Each conduit contains one of
each phase conductors, plus neutral.);

R Raceway;

T Cable Tray.

The four EDSA supplied raceway data sets provide typical examples of each of the four
configuration types.


The selection of each configuration affects the following calculations:

1. For automatic calculation of the area, conduits are assumed to be round and raceways
rectangular. Note that the calculated area can be overridden.

2. Conductor derating for conduits follows Note 8, Ampacity Tables in Article 310, NEC 2000.

3. Conductor derating for raceways follows Article 362-5, NEC 2000.

4. Conductor derating for cable trays must be entered directly by the user in the wire detail
screen. Refer to Article 318, NEC 2000.

5. Conduit and raceway sizing is based on fill ratio: the ratio of the sum of all wire cross-
sectional areas to the cross-sectional area of the raceway. Refer to Chapter 9, Table 1,
NEC 2000.

6. Cable sizing is based on Article 318-10, NEC 2000.


IX. VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS

Voltage drop calculations are based on AC resistance and reactance tables derived from Table #9,
Chapter 9, NEC 2000. The method of calculation is based on Beeman.

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NEC Wire Sizing

The above diagram indicates the magnitude of error when using the following equations:

Line-to-neutral voltage drop = I(R cos +X sin ). (11)

Equation 11 can be converted to calculate the percent voltage drop as follows:

Percent voltage drop = 100 *
)
2
(kv
) sin X + cos (R KVA
(12)

where KVA is three-phase KVA and KV is line-to-line kiloVolts. For single-phase circuits the
percentage drop is twice this value.

AC resistance is corrected for operating temperatures as follows:

Resistance at lower temperature R
1
=
2
R

I Z R +
1
T
I Z R +
2
T
(13)

Resistance at higher temperature R
2
=
1
2
1
R

I Z R +
T
I Z R +
T
(14)
where:

T
1
= Low temperature;

T
2
= High temperature;

IZR = Inferred zero resistance temperature;
IZR = -234.5 for copper;
IZR = -236.0 for aluminum.

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NEC Wire Sizing
Conduit, raceway, and cable tray selections are based on Article 300-3b, NEC* 2000. All conductors
of the same circuit, plus neutral and equipment grounding conductors, are contained within the
same conduit.

Conduits are selected according to Article 345-7, NEC 2000. Conductor ampacity derating for
conduits is according to Note 8, Article 310 of NEC 2000. Raceways are selected according to
Article 362-5, NEC 2000.

Cable trays are selected according to Article 318-10, NEC 2000. Conductor ampacity is adjusted
according to Article 318-11 (b), NEC 2000.

NOTE: National Electric Code

and NEC

are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection

Association, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269, U.S.A.

Table 1

MATERIAL TEMPERATURE FOR
ZERO RESISTANCE (C)

Aluminum -236.0

Copper -234.5

A circular mil is a circle 0.001 inch in diameter.

A mil is one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch)

C mils = square mils 1.273 square mils

= C mils 0.7854.

R = r
L
d
= r
L
A
2
(15)

where:

A = Area in C mils;

d = Diameter in mils;

L = Length of wire in feet;

r = Specific resistance of material;

R = Resistance of wire.


6

NEC Wire Sizing
Table 2

CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTORS FOR MORE THAN THREE
CONDUCTORS IN A RACEWAY


CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTOR WITH LOAD DIVERSITY

Factor Number of Conductors in Raceway

0.8 4 to 6

0.7 7 to 24

0.6 25 to 42

0.5 43 or more


CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTOR WITHOUT LOAD DIVERSITY

Factor Number of Conductors

.8 4 to 6

.7 7 to 9

.5 10 to 20

.45 21 to 30

.40 31 to 40

.35 41 to 60

Please read Section 8. Adjustment Factors, on pages 70-196 of NEC Article 310. When you size
conductors for loads, if you consider neutral as a conductor, the conductors are derated with regard to the
above NEC table.


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NEC Wire Sizing
Table 3

BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF INSULATION TYPES IN GENERAL USE




Maximum Operating
Type Material and Characteristics Application Temperature (F)

R Rubber Dry Locations 140

RH Heat-resistant rubber Dry Locations 167

RHH Higher-temperature, heat-
resistant rubber Dry Locations 194

RHW Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet
rubber Locations 167

T Thermoplastic Dry Locations 140

TH Heat-resistant thermoplastic Dry Locations 167

THW Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet
thermoplastic Locations 167

THWN
a
Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet
thermoplastic with nylon covering Locations 167




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NEC Wire Sizing
Table 4
Table 5

AMPACITY OF SINGLE INSULATED CONDUCTORS AMPACITY OF THREE (OR FEWER) CONDUCTORS
IN FREE AIR. IN A CABLE OR RACEWAY


Size Copper Aluminum Size Copper Aluminum
AWG or R,T,TW RH,RHW R,T,TW RH,W,T AWG or R,T,TW RH,RHW R,T,TW RH,W,T
MCM TW THWN,THW 60C THW,THWN MCM 60C THWN,THW 60C THW,THWN
60C 75C (140F) 75C (140F) 75C (140F) 75C
(140F) (167F) (167F) (167F) (167F)


14 20 20 _ _ 14 15 15 _ _

12 25 25 20 20 12 20 20 15 15

10 40 40 30 30 10 30 30 25 25

8 55 65 45 55 8 40 45 30 40

6 60 95 60 75 6 55 65 40 50

4 105 125 80 100 4 70 85 55 65

AWG 3 120 145 95 115 AWG 3 80 100 65 75

2 140 170 110 135 2 95 115 75 90

1 165 195 130 155 1 110 130 85 110

0 195 230 150 180 0 125 150 100 120

00 225 265 175 210 00 145 175 115 135

000 260 310 200 240 000 165 200 130 155

0000 300 360 230 280 0000 195 230 155 180



250 340 405 265 315 250 215 255 170 205

300 375 445 290 350 300 240 285 190 230

350 420 505 330 395 350 260 310 210 250

400 455 545 355 425 400 280 335 225 270

500 515 620 405 485 500 320 380 260 310

MCM 600 575 690 455 545 MCM 600 355 420 285 340

700 630 755 500 595 700 385 460 310 375

750 655 785 515 620 750 400 475 320 385

800 680 815 535 645 800 410 490 330 395

900 730 870 580 700 900 435 520 355 425

1000 780 935 625 750 1000 455 545 375 445




9

NEC Wire Sizing



X. SUPPLEMENTARY VALIDATION PROBLEMS


A. VERIFY SENSITIVITY OF THE PROGRAM TO CONDUCTOR TEMPERATURE RATING.

Refer to jobfile "OPTEMP" for examples.

Given the following circuit:
Load: 400 amps

Length 500 ft.

Voltage 480 /three-phase

Ambient 30 c

select the appropriate conductor, and calculate the voltage drop for insulations rated at 60c, 75c,
85c and 90c.

a. 60c (insulation TW)

We wish to limit our selection to 500 kcmil to smaller cable. This will require two cables per
phase since the design ampacity of 500 amps is greater than the capacity of a single 500
kcmil cable.

Multi-conductor derating from note 8, Article #310, NEC 2000: 0.80

Try 2-400 kcmil: (ampacities from Article 310-16), NEC 2000

280 x 2 x 0.80 =448 (not enough)

Try 2-500 kcmil:

320 x 2 x 0.80 =512 THIS WILL WORK

Voltage drop: (impedance from Table #9, Chapter #9, NEC 2000)

Z =0.050 x (60 +234.5) / (75 +234.5) =0.0476

vd =200 x (.0476 /1000) x 500 =4.76 Volts

(Program result: 2-500 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 4.87 Volts)


b. 75c (insulation THWN)

Try 2-400 kcmil:

335 x 2 x 0.80 =536 THIS WILL WORK
10

NEC Wire Sizing

Try 2-350 kcmil:

310 X 2 X 0.80 =496 (not enough)


Voltage drop:
VD =200 X (.056 / 1000) X 500 =5.6Volts

(Program result: 2-400 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 5.56 Volts)


c. 85c (insulation V)

Try 2-350 kcmil:

340 x 2 x 0.080 =540 THIS WILL WORK

Try 2-300 kcmil:

310 x 2 x 0.80 =496 (not enough)

Voltage drop:

Z =0.60 x (85 +234.5) / 75 +234.5) =0.062

vd =200 x (.056 /1000) x 500 =6.2 Volts

(Program result: 2-350 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 6.06 Volts)


d. 90c (insulation V)

Try 2-300 kcmil:

320 x 2 x 0.80 =512 THIS WILL WORK

Try 2-250 kcmil:

290 x 2 x 0.80 =464 (not enough)

Voltage drop:

Z =0.065 x (90 +234.5) / (75 +234.5) =0.068

vd =200 x (.056 / 1000) x 500 =6.8 Volts

(Program result: 2-300 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 6.7 Volts)

The above results for cable selection exactly match the program results. This is to be expected
since the program uses a table look-up method that follows the manual procedure for using Table
#310 in NEC 2000. Voltage drops calculated by the program are within 2 percent, or less, of the
manual calculations.
11

NEC Wire Sizing


B. VERIFY CABLE TRAY SELECTION

Note that the cable tray selection capability in the current version on NEC wire sizing is a very
basic, first effort at providing automated cable tray selection. Of the many possible configurations
of cable in cable trays, only the fill configuration of Article 318-10 (a) NEC 2000 and the ampacity
calculation of 318-11 (b) (1) and (2) NEC 2000 are supported. Note that for ampacity
calculations, the user must select the appropriate derating factor from 318-11 (b) NEC 2000
depending on conductor size and decide whether the tray is covered. Refer to jobfile "CBLTRAY"
for examples.


a. Select a cable tray for the following cables:

8 - 500 kcmil XHHW

6 - 4-0 XHHW

3 - 250 kcmil XHHW


Since there are conductors in the 1-0 to 4-0 range, selection is governed by Article 318-110
(a) (4) NEC 2000. The sum of diameters of all cables is:

Number and Size Diameter Total
8 - 500 kcmil XHHW 0.955 7.64
6 - 4-0 XHHW 0.646 3.876

3 - 250 kcmil XHHW 0.716 2.148

13.664 inches


This requires a cable tray larger than 12 inches, and the next size in our catalog is 18 inches.
( Calculation agrees with program result.)


b. Select a cable tray for the following cables:
4 - 750 kcmil XHHW

4 - 1000 kcmil XHHW

4 - 1750 kcmil XHHW

Since there are conductors both larger than, and smaller than 1000 kcmil, Article 310-10 (a)
(3) of NEC 2000, governs.


12

NEC Wire Sizing
13
Number and Size Diameter or Area Total

4 - 750 kcmil XHHW 1.0936 in
2
4.374 in
2


4 - 1000 kcmil XHHW 1.330 in 5.32 in

4 - 1750 kcmil XHHW 1.740 6.96 in

Try 12 inch cable tray. From Table #318-10, NEC 2000, the maximum fill for cables less than
1000 kcmil is:

13.0 - (1.1 [5.32 =6.96]) =5.99 in
2


Try 18 inch cable tray:

19.5 - (1.1[5.32 =6.96]) =5.99 in
2


Since this is greater than the 4.374 square inch area to be accommodated, 18 inch is OK.
(This agrees with the program result.)



NEC Wire Sizing
1.0 Network Based NEC Wire Sizing ork Based NEC Wire Sizing








Step 2.
Before proceeding with the actual wire sizing
exercise, select the Wire Sizing Tools icon in order
to get familiar with the functions included in this
application.
Step 3.
Once the Wire Sizing Tools
command is invoked, the tools
menu will appear in this position.
Step 1.
Proceed to open the file EDSA_WS.axd
located in the Design Base 2.0 NECwiresz
Samples folder.
14

NEC Wire Sizing

The Analysis pick-list, allows the
user to select the type of wire sizing
methodology to be used.
The Defaults command sets the
base calculation parameters for the
analysis (Voltage, etc.).
The Edit command allows the user
to enter and/or edit data for the
selected feeder.
The Delete command allows the
user to delete the cable sizing data
for the selected feeder.
The Copy command allows the
user to copy the cable sizing data
from the selected feeder.
The Paste command allows the
user to assign previously copied data
to the selected feeder.
The View command allows the
user to view a list of all the feeders
assigned to the job file.
The Store command allows the
user to save the cable sizing data
being added to the selected feeders.
15

NEC Wire Sizing

Step 4.
Proceed to size a 3-phase / 3-wire feeder for
MCC-1 as shown here. To begin, click on
the cable once to select it.
Step 5.
Proceed to define the default analysis
parameters by selecting the Defaults icon.
16

NEC Wire Sizing
17
`
Step 6.
Select the Settings tab.
Step 7.
Proceed to specify the voltage, phase/wire configuration, cable
temperature rating, ambient temperature, and maximum allowable
voltage drop as applicable. For this example, use the values suggested
here.
Step 8.
Define the wire material, insulation type and
maximum wire gauge to be used in the design.
For this example, use the values suggested here.
Step 9.
Define the load diversity factor, cable tray
derating factor, load power factor, and motor
efficiency defaults. For this example, use the
valuessuggestedhere.
Step 10.
Select the Conduit tab.
Step 12.
Select OK to complete
the default settings.
Step 11.
From the pick-lists, select the type of conduit to be used and its
respective material. Also specify the maximum fill limit for the
conduit. For this example, use the values suggested here.

NEC Wire Sizing
18

Step 13.
When prompted to save
the file, select Yes.
Step 14.
Before proceeding, make sure that the feeder under
study is still selected in the single line diagram
(verify Step 4). Select the Edit icon.
Step 15.
The connectivity data is automatically loaded
from the single line diagram as shown in these
fields.
Step 16.
From the pick list, select the category
of the cable based on the NEC
classification. For this example, select
Feeder.
Step 17.
Enter and/or verify the length of the
feeder under study.
Step 19.
Once all the data has been entered, press the Tab button on
your keyboard to run the analysis. The required cable size and
number of conductors per phase are shown here. Also the actual
design ampacity, voltage drop in volts/% are shown in the gray
boxes.
Step 20.
Select Wire Detail.
Step 18.
Enter the load value and select its
respective units as indicated.

NEC Wire Sizing
19

Step 24.
Select the Detail tab to
add additional wires into the
newly sized conduit. This
feature will be explained in
subsequent sections of this
tutorial.
Step 25.
Select the OK to accept and return to
the Edit Wire Segment dialog box.
Once there, select OK to return the
single line diagram.
Step 23.
Select the Conduit tab to
review and/or modify the
selected conduit data.
Step 22.
Select the Settings tab to
review and/or modify the
default settings for the file.
Step 21.
The results of the wire and
conduit sizing exercise are
shown here.

NEC Wire Sizing

Step 26.
To add additional cables, repeat the same
procedure shown in steps 1 through 26. To
view all the cables in the job file, select the
View icon.
Step 27.
All the wire segments in the file would be listed here.
To view a report on a specific segment, select it and
press View. To view all of the listed segments, select
View All. To edit a specific wire segment, select it
and press Edit.
Step 28.
Select Done to exit.
20

NEC Wire Sizing
1.1 Feeder Type Option




















This section is intended to clarify
the different feeder Type options
that are available in the Edit Wire
Segment menu.


F Feeder
This option will automatically size a feeder branch cable based on the latest NEC requirements. The program will
calculate the cable size, number of conductors per phase required, design amps, and voltage drop.

PF Pre-sized Feeder
This option allows the user to manually enter (pre-size) a cable for the branch feeder under study. The program will
calculate design amps, and voltage drop based on the cable and load specified by the user.

S Service Entrance
This option will automatically size a service entrance cable based on the latest NEC requirements. The program
will calculate the cable size, number of conductors per phase required, design amps, and voltage drop.

PS Pre-Sized Service Entrance
This option allows the user to manually enter (pre-size) a cable for the service entrance under study. The program
will calculate design amps, and voltage drop based on the cable and load specified by the user.

SG System Ground
This option will automatically size a ground conductor for a specified service entrance cable based on the latest
NEC requirements. The user enters the ampacity of the service entrance cable, and the program will calculate the
size of an NEC compliant ground cable.

EG Equipment Ground
This option will automatically size a ground conductor for a specified service feeder cable based on the latest NEC
requirements. The user enters the ampacity of the feeder cable, and the program will calculate the size of an NEC
compliant equipment ground cable.

CW Control Wire
This option allows the user to specify a control wire cable.
21

NEC Wire Sizing
1.2 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit

Step 1.
In this example, we will manually add an
additional pre-sized feeder cable into the
feeder/conduit previously sized in section 1.0
of this tutorial. Proceed by clicking on this
feeder once, in order to select it.
Step 2.
Once the existing feeder has been
selected, press the Edit icon.
22

NEC Wire Sizing
23

Step 3.
Select Wire Detail.
Step 4.
Select Add.
Step 5.
From the pick-list, select a 4 AWG, THHN
single conductor. From the Type menu
select PF-Pre-sized Feeder to indicate that
this cable is being entered manually by the
user. Select OK.

NEC Wire Sizing
24

Step 6.
The newly added cable is now
listed on the table. The cable can
be edited or deleted, by simply
selecting it from the table and
pressing either the Edit or
Delete buttons.
Step 7.
To update the wire count
and the conduit size if
necessary, select OK.
Step 8.
Select Wire Detail again
to review the updated
calculation.

NEC Wire Sizing

Step 9.
The updated results are
shown here.
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NEC Wire Sizing
1.3 Copying and Pasting Wire Sizing Studies

Step 1.
In this example, we will copy the wire sizing
study performed on MCC-1 Feeder and paste
it onto MCC-2 Feeder. The assumption here
is that both cables will be designed as identical
feeders.
Step 3.
Once the existing feeder has been
selected, press the Copy icon.
COPY
Step 2.
Select the feeder to be copied, by clicking on it once as
indicated here. Select MCC-1 Feeder.
26

NEC Wire Sizing

Step 4.
Select MCC-2 Feeder by
clicking on it once.
Step 5.
Select the Paste icon.
Step 6.
The operation has now been completed. To verify the
successful addition of the new study, select the View
icon.
Step 7.
The new study is listed in
the table, as shown here.
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NEC Wire Sizing
2.0 Standalone NEC Wire Sizing Standalone NEC Wire Sizing

Step 4.
Proceed to create a new
standalone file by selecting
File/New.
Step 5.
Name the new file and select
Save.
Step 1.
Invoke the EDSA Technical program.
Step 2.
Open the Selection menu.
Step 6.
Proceed to assign the default analysis
parameters by selecting Edit/J ob Defaults.
Step 3.
Select the Wire Sizing NEC option.
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NEC Wire Sizing

Step 7.
Select the Settings tab.
Step 8.
Proceed to specify the voltage, phase/wire configuration, cable
temperature rating, ambient temperature, and maximum allowable
voltage drop as applicable. For this example, use the values suggested
here.
Step 10.
Define the load diversity factor, cable tray
derating factor, load power factor, and motor
efficiency defaults. For this example, use the
Step 9.
Define the wire material, insulation type and
maximum wire gauge to be used in the design.
For this example, use the values suggested here.
valuessuggestedhere.
Step 11.
Select the Conduit tab.
Step 12.
From the pick-lists, select the type of conduit to be used and its
respective material. Also specify the maximum fill limit for the
conduit. For this example, use the values suggested here.
Step 13.
Select OK to complete
the default settings.
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NEC Wire Sizing

Step 15.
Proceed to add the required wire segments by
selecting Edit/Wire Segments.
Step 14.
Select the Save icon in order to
save the new settings.
Step 16.
To add a wire segment,
select Add.
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NEC Wire Sizing

Step 17.
Specify the labels for the From Node, To
Node and the wire Segment. Proceed as
indicated here.
Step 18.
From the pick list, select the category
of the cable based on the NEC
classification. For this example, select
Feeder.
Step 19.
Enter and/or verify the length of the
feeder under study.
Step 20.
Enter the load value and select its
respective units as indicated.
Step 21.
Once all the data has been entered, press the Tab button on
your keyboard to run the analysis. The required cable size and
number of conductors per phase are shown here. Also the actual
design ampacity, voltage drop in volts/% are shown in the gray
boxes.
Step 22.
Select Wire Detail.
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NEC Wire Sizing

Step 23.
The results of the wire and
conduit sizing exercise are
shown here.
Step 24.
Select the Settings tab to
review and/or modify the
default settings for the file.
Step 25.
Select the Conduit tab to
review and/or modify the
selected conduit data.
Step 26.
Select the Detail tab to
add additional wires into the
newly sized conduit. This
feature will be explained in
subsequent sections of this
tutorial.
Step 27.
Select the OK to accept and return to
the Edit Wire Segment dialog box.
Once there, select OK to return the
single line diagram.
32

NEC Wire Sizing
33

Step 28.
The newly sized cable is listed in the
Wire Segment table, as shown here.
Step 29.
Next, lets add an equipment
ground for the previously sized
feeder MCC-1 Feeder
Step 30.
Repeat steps 1 through 28, using
the entries shown here for an
Equipment Ground wire.
Step 31.
The required equipment
ground is shown here.
Step 32.
Select OK to continue.
Step 33.
The newly added Equipment
Ground wire is shown here.

NEC Wire Sizing

2.1 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit (Standalone Method) Existing Conduit (Standalone Method)

Step 1.
Select the conduit in which to add an
additional pre-sized feeder.
Step 2.
Select Detail.
Step 4.
Select Add.
Step 5.
From the pick-list, select a 4 AWG, THHN
single conductor. From the Type menu
select PF-Pre-sized Feeder to indicate that
this cable is being entered manually by the
user. Select OK.
Step 3.
Select the Detail tab.
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NEC Wire Sizing
35
Step 6.
The newly added cable is now
listed on the table. The cable can
be edited or deleted, by simply
selecting it from the table and
pressing either the Edit or
Delete buttons.
Step 7.
To update the wire count
and the conduit size if
necessary, select OK.
Step 8.
Select Detail again to review
the updated calculation.

NEC Wire Sizing
36

2.2 Accessing Tables and Databases

The Tables menu allows the user to gain
access to the various databases used in the
calculations for viewing and editing
purposes.
WARNING
This section (2.2) shows how to modify
the data in the current database. The
current database is designated as the
Master Database for the program.
The default Master database is called
WIRETBLS.NEC and contains the
most current NEC compliant data. Any
changes to this database will affect
the NEC compliance of the results.

NEC Wire Sizing

2.2.1 Wire Tables

The Wire Tables database, allows the user to
view and modify, if required, values for all the
parameters shown here.
The Wire Parameters table
allows the user to modify
base parameters for the wire
and conduit sizing
calculations. Refer to section
2.0, steps 7 to 13 for details.
The Ambient Correction Factors table, allow
the user to view the current code compliant
data. By selecting Add, Edit or Delete
odifications to the existing the user can make m
data as required.
37

NEC Wire Sizing

The Multi-Conductor table allows the user to
verify and/or edit the ampacity based on the
number of conductors within a raceway. Two
tables are available for this purpose; with and
without takingintoaccount diversityfactors.
38

NEC Wire Sizing

The Insulation Classes table allows
the user to view and/or edit the
temperature rating for each type of
insulation.
The Equipment Ground table
allows the user to view and/or edit
the ground wire size required for a
feeder based on the over-current
protection setting.
39

NEC Wire Sizing

The Small Motors table
allows the user to specify
current ratings for motors based
on 120 V and 240 V voltage
applications.
40

NEC Wire Sizing
2.2.2 Conductor Properties Tables Conductor Properties Tables

In the Wire Sizes section, the user can
view, modify or add cable AWG gauges
and their respective cross section in
Circular Mils.
In the Base Ampacities table, the user can
view and/or modify the current rating for each
cable for different insulation temperatures.
Both Copper and Aluminum cables are
included in the table.
41

NEC Wire Sizing
42

The Conductor Dimensions table
allows the user to view and/or modify
the cross section area of all insulated
conductor sizes. Aluminum and
Copper are included.
The Impedance table allows the user to
view and/or modify the AC Resistance
and AC Reactance of the cables in the
database. Aluminum and Copper are
included.

NEC Wire Sizing


























The System Ground table allows the user to
view/modify the ground conductor sizes that
correspond to specific service entrance ampacity
ratings. Both Aluminum and Copper are included.


43

NEC Wire Sizing
2.2.3 Raceway Tables

The Raceway Tables allow the
user to designate numbers and ids
to different types of raceways that
are to be used in different design
applications.
The Data Set table allows the user to
view, add or modify the physical
dimensions of conduits based on their
trade size designation.
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NEC Wire Sizing
2.3 Creating a New Master Wire Database Master Wire Database


Step 1.
To create a new database, select
File/New Master Wire Table.
Step 2.
Assign a new name to the
database, and press Open.
Step 3.
Select in sequence Wire Tables,
Conductor Properties & Raceway Tables
and populate the empty tables of the new
database with the new default data. Proceed
as indicated in section 2.2 of this document.
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NEC Wire Sizing
46
2.3.1 Assigning a New Default Master Wire Database


Step 1.
To assign a new default database, select
File/Select Master Wire Table.
Step 2.
From the list, select the new table
to use, and press Open.