Motor jeders and Starters 10.3, 2. For elevator motors, always try to get the full-load current because the nameplate horsepower on many machines is about 10 to 25 percent below the actual rating. 3. For packaged-type evaporative condensers with many small fans nominally rated 1 hp (for example), be sure to get the full-load current because these are really equivalent to about 2 hp (for example) each, and feeders sized on nominal horsepower ratings will be inadequate. Remember to size the feeder and over- current protection as a multiple motor load. Also refer to NEC Article 440, 4. Note that maximum and minimum have precise meanings and that feeder sizes shall not be less than the calculated minimum within 3 or 4 percent (e.¢., 30-A-rated no. 10 wire is OK for a 31-A load) and breaker sizes shall not be more than the maximum indicated. In general, for larger motor sizes, the over- current protection needed decreases considerably from the maximum limit. 5. In sizing nonfused disconnects for motors, use the horsepower rating table in the manufacturer's catalog or realize that, in general, a nonfused disconnect switch should be rated the same as a switch fused with a dual-element time-delay fuse. ° When sizing feeders for tape drives in mainframe data centers, it is usually necessary to oversize both the overcurrent protection and the feeder to accom- modate the long acceleration time characteristic of this equipment, 7. Today's highly energy-efficient motors are characterized by low losses and high inrush currents, thus requiring overcurrent protection sized at or near the maximum limit prescribed by the NEC when these motors are used, 8. For NEC locked-rotor-indicating code letters, refer to Table 10.1.2 [NEC Table 430.7(B)] 10.1.2 NEC Table 430.7(B), Locked-Rotor-Indicating Code Letters TABLE 10.1.2 ilovolAmperes per Kilovolt-Amperes per Code" Horsepower with Code Horsepower vith Letter Locked Rotor | Letter Locked Rotor a os L 90-999 B 315-358 M MoI c 355.309 N na349 D 40-449 P 125-1399 E 45-499 R 140-15 99 F 50-559 5 190-1799 G 56-629 T 180-1999 H 63-709 u 290-22. i 71-799 v 22.4 and up K 50-899 (©2001, NFPA) 10.1.3 Motor-Circuit Data Sheets ‘The following motor-circuit data sheets provide recommended design standards for branch-circuit protection and wiring of squirrel-cage induction motors of the sizes and voltages most frequently encountered in commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. Experience has shown that most facilities of this type use cop- per wire and use no. 12 AWG wire and %-in conduit as minimum sizes for power distribution. These standards are reflected in the tables that follow. Refer also to the notes to these tables for assumptions and other criteria used.