How to calculate Locked Rotor Current (IL) From Nameplate Data

The lock rotor amps is the current draw of the motor when the motor is switched on and before the rotor
starts to turn. This is the stator current but it is called lock rotor current for 2 reasons.

(1) The measured current is at a time (0 sec) ie when the rotor is at standstill,thus the rotor is considered
"LOCKED" and thus the term LOCK ROTOR AMPS.

(2) You can mechanically strap down the rotor (LOCK ROTOR),press the start button and measure the
stator current.

This lock rotor amps is the highest current draw of the motor because when the rotor is locked impedance
is the lowest.

Item 2 above You can use a clip on to measure the Lock rotor amps.

Another method for measuring lock rotor amps is by using a storage oscilloscope and a passive resistor.

Regards

3-Phase:

Single phase:

See: KVA/HP Chart

EXAMPLE: Motor nameplate indicates 10 HP, 3 Phase, 460 Volts, Code F.

577 x 10 x (5.6 or 6.29)

IL =
460

IL = 70.25 or 78.9 Amperes (possible range)

Effect Of Line Voltage On Locked Rotor Current (IL) (Approx.)

ELINE
IL @ ELINE = IL @ EN/P x
EN/P

Code KVA/HP Code KVA/HP Code KVA/HP Code KVA/HP

A 0-3.14 F 5.0 -5.59 L 9.0-9.99 S 16.0-17.99
B 3.15-3.54 G 5.6 -6.29 M 10.0-11.19 T 18.0-19.99
C 3.55-3.99 H 6.3 -7.09 N 11.2-12.49 U 20.0-22.39
D 4.0 -4.49 I 7.1 -7.99 P 12.5-13.99 V 22.4 & Up
E 4.5 -4.99 K 8.0 -8.99 R 14.0-15.99
KVA / HP Chart

http://www.ehow.com/how_7791777_calculate-motor-inrush-current.html

How to Calculate Motor Inrush Current

A motor, with the power turned off, presents little resistance to electricity because the
motor windings act almost like a short until they become energized. When power is
turned on, the current flow may be many times what the current flow is when the motor
is operating at rated speed under a load. This inrush of current lasts only a fraction of
a second. No calculation for the exact inrush current is possible, but a range may be
determined if the manufacturer's documentation does not specify it.
Instructions

1. Read the motor nameplate on the motor and find the voltage listed on it. The National Electric Code
mandates all motors have a nameplate that provides information specific to the electrical operating
characteristics of the motor.
2. Look for the "Locked Rotor Letter Code" or "Locked Rotor Code" on the motor nameplate. This code will
be a letter from "A" to "V" but will not include "I," "O" or "Q." These letters are omitted to avoid confusion.
3. Consult the NEMA Locked Rotor Code Table and find the letter code on it. Follow the letter code row to
the right and find the range given. The range is given in thousands of Volt-Amps, or kilowatts.
4. Multiply each number in the range by 1,000. Divide each result by the motor voltage found on the
nameplate. The resulting range is the inrush current range. For example: A 3.5-horsepower, three-phase
motor nameplate lists the motor voltage as 230 volts and the locked rotor code is "K." The range given on
the table is 8.0 to 8.99 KVA. Multiplying by 1,000, the range becomes 8,000 to 8,990 VA. Dividing by the
motor voltage of 230 volts gives the inrush current range as 34.8 amps to 39.1 amps.

Tips & Warnings

 The inrush current is only momentary and if the circuit breaker is sized properly, it will not trip in
the fraction of second the current spikes. As the motor windings become energized, they present
resistance to the flow of current and the current begins to drop. As the motor comes up to full
 speed, the current level will be at the level specified on the motor nameplate as the full-load
current.
 The voltage is important to determining inrush current. If the motor nameplate lists multiple
voltages, the voltage being used must be determined. An easy place to measure this is at the
motor disconnect. The type of voltage determines how the measurement is made. Measure
three-phase current between two hot terminals and double it. Split phase current is measured
between two hot terminals. Single phase current is measured from the hot terminal to ground

Read more: How to Calculate Motor Inrush Current | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7791777_calculate-motor-

inrush-current.html#ixzz2NayKtBP6

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/locked-rotor-code-d_917.html

NEMA KVA/HP Approximate Mid-

Code Letter with locked rotor Range Value

A 0-3.14 1.6

B 3.15-3.55 3.3

C 3.55-3.99 3.8

D 4.0-4.49 4.3

E 4.5-4.99 4.7

F 5.0-5.59 5.3

G 5.6-6.29 5.9

H 6.3-7.09 6.7

J 7.1-7.99 7.5

K 8.0-8.99 8.5
 NEMA KVA/HP Approximate Mid-
Code Letter with locked rotor Range Value

L 9.0-9.99 9.5

M 10.0-11.19 10.6

N 11.2-12.49 11.8

P 12.5-13.99 13.2

R 14.0-15.99 15.0

S 16.0-17.99

T 18.0-19.99

U 20.0-22.39

V 22.4-and up