Conductor Ampacity Based on the 1999 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 1999 NEC Appendix C.
For Information on Temperature Ratings of Terminations to Equipment See NEC Section 110-14(c)
Size

Temperature Rating of Conductor. See Table 310-13.

AWG
kcmil

60C (140F)

75C (167F)

90C (194F)

Types TW, UF

Types
FEPW, RH, RHW,
THHW, THW, THWN,
XHHW, USE, ZW

Types
TBS, SA, SIS, FEP,
FEPB, MI, RHH,
RHW-2, THHN,
THHW, THW-2,
THWN-2, USE-2,
XHH, XHHW,
XHHW-2, ZW-2

Size

60C (140F)

75C (167F)

90C (194F)

Types
TW, UF

Types
RH, RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE

Types
TBS, SA, SIS, THHN,
THHW, THW-2,
THWN-2, RHH,
RHW-2, USE-2,
XHH, XHHW,
XHHW-2, ZW-2

AWG
kcmil

Aluminum or Copper-Clad
Aluminum

Copper
18
16
14j
12j
10j
8

....
....
20
25
30
40

....
....
20
25
35
50

14
18
25
30
40
55

....
....
....
20
25
30

....
....
....
20
30
40

....
....
....
25
35
45

....
....
....
12j
10j
8

6
4
3
2
1

55
70
85
95
110

65
85
100
115
130

75
95
110
130
150

40
55
65
75
85

50
65
75
90
100

60
75
85
100
115

1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0

125
145
165
195

150
175
200
230

170
195
225
260

100
115
130
150

120
135
155
180

135
150
175
205

1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0

250
300
350
400
500

215
240
260
280
320

255
285
310
335
380

290
320
350
380
430

170
190
210
225
260

205
230
250
270
310

230
255
280
305
350

250
300
350
400
500

600
700
750
800
900

355
385
400
410
435

420
460
475
490
520

475
520
535
555
585

285
310
320
330
355

340
375
385
395
425

385
420
435
450
480

600
700
750
800
900

1000
1250
1500
1750
2000

455
495
520
545
560

545
590
625
650
665

615
665
705
735
750

375
405
435
455
470

445
485
520
545
560

500
545
585
615
630

1000
1250
1500
1750
2000

6
4
3
2
1

Correction Factors
Ambient Temp. C

For ambient temperatures other than 30C (86F), multiply the allowable ampacities shown above by the appropriate factor shown below.

21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41-45
46-50
51-55
56-60
61-70
71-80

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 See Section 240-3.

Ratings for 120/240 volts, 3-Wire, Single-Phase Dwelling Services

See NEC Table 310-15 (b)(6)
These are permitted ratings for Dwelling Unit service and feeder conductors which
carry the total load of the dwelling.
Rating
(amps)

100

110

125

150

175

200

225

250

Copper

1/0

2/0

3/0

4/0

Aluminum

1/0

2/0

3/0

4/0

300

350

400

250 kcmil 350 kcmil 400 kcmil

250 kcmil 300 kcmil 350 kcmil 500 kcmil 600 kcmil

Adjustment Factors See NEC Table 310-15 (b)(2)(a)

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

Percent of Values in Tables as Adjusted

for Ambient Temperature as Necessary

4 through 6

80

7 through 9

70

10 through 20

50

21 through 30

45

31 through 40

40

41 and Above

35

See exceptions to NEC 310-15 (b)(2).

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 (g)

of Section 240-3.
NEC 240-3 (d) Small Conductors
Unless specifically permitted in (e) through (g), the overcurrent protection 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.
NEC 210-19 Conductors Minimum Ampacity and Size
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 210-20 (a) Continuous and Noncontinuous Loads
Where a branch-circuit 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)

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