Calculator Instructions

The calculator that you are about to use will give you a very simple and quick solution to the problem of calculating the size of wires and cables for pump applications in golf courses, landscape projects, and agriculture. Please be sure you read the following notes before proceeding. The requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes must always be followed. Source Voltage The choices in the calculator are the most common and are nominal values. Number of Phases This is usually single-phase or 3-phase. For single-phase, three conductors are required whereas four conductors are required for 3-phase circuits. One of these conductors is the equipment ground, which can be a reduced size as governed by NEC article 250-122. A Paige Electric representative can help you determine your exact needs. Amperes The number of amperes drawn by the load is to be obtained from the manufacturer of the equipment. For motors, the current must be obtained from tables 430-148 (single-phase) and 430-150 (3phase) of the NEC. Care must be taken to follow the guidelines of the NEC with regard to the number plugged into the calculator. The NEC requires that for single motor installation, the current used in the calculation be 1.25 times the load current from the above mentioned tables. When more than one motor is used, the current of the largest load must be multiplied by 1.25, plus the sum of the rest. Example: Three pumps of a pump station (30, 10, and 1 horsepower) are connected to the power source of 460volts, 3-phase. From table 430-150, they draw 40 amps, 14 amps, and 3 amps respectively. The figure we would plug into the calculator would be: (40 x 1.25) + 14 + 3 = 50 + 14+ 3 = 67 amps. Allowable Voltage Drop The calculator allows entry of a voltage drop, but caution should be used when doing so to make sure you are calculating the wire sizes in accordance with NEC article 210-19 (FPN No. 4.) The NEC allows a maximum of a 3% voltage drop on the main branch of a circuit at the farthest outlet of power and 5% total to both feeders and branch circuits to the farthest outlet. Calculations The calculator uses the following formulas for calculating wire size, which are based on Ohms Law. For single-phase circuits:

For 3-phase circuits:

Note Conductor resistivity is 11.2 for copper and 17.4 for aluminum at a temperature of 127 F (53 C)

Table 430-148 (From 1999 NEC)

Full-Load Currents in Amperes, Single-Phase Alternating-Current Motors The following values of full-load currents are for motors running at usual speeds and motors with normal torque characteristics. Motors built for especially low speeds or high torques may have higher full-load currents, and multi-speed motors will have full-load current varying with speed, in which case the nameplate current ratings shall be used. The voltages listed are rated motor voltages. The currents listed shall be permitted for system voltage ranges of 110 to 120 and 220 to 240 volts. Horsepower 1/6 1/4 1/3 1 1 2 3 5 7 10 115 Volts 4.4 5.8 7.2 9.8 13.8 16 20 24 34 56 80 100 200 Volts 2.5 3.3 4.1 5.6 7.9 9.2 11.5 13.8 19.6 32.2 46.0 57.5 208 Volts 2.4 3.2 4.0 5.4 7.6 8.8 11.0 13.2 18.7 30.8 44.0 55.0 230 Volts 2.2 2.9 3.6 4.9 6.9 8.0 10 12 17 28 40 50

Table 430-150 (From 1999 NEC)

Full-Load Current Three-Phase Alternating-Current Motors The following values of full-load currents are typical for motors running at speeds usual for belted motors and motors with normal torque characteristics. Motors built for low speeds (1200 rpm or less) or high torques may require more running current, and multi-speed motors will have full-load current varying with speed. In these cases, the nameplate current rating shall be used. The voltages listed are rated motor voltages. The currents listed shall be permitted for system voltage ranges of 110 to 120, 220 to 240, 440 to 480, and 550 to 600 volts.

Induction Type Squirrel Cage and Wound Rotor (Amperes) (Amperes) Horsepower 115 Volts 200 Volts 208 Volts 230 Volts 460 Volts 575 Volts 1 1 2 3 5 7 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 75 100 125 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 4.4 6.4 8.4 12.0 13.6 2.5 3.7 4.8 6.9 7.8 11.0 17.5 25.3 32.2 48.3 62.1 78.2 92 120 150 177 221 285 359 414 552 2.4 3.5 4.6 6.6 7.5 10.6 16.7 24.2 30.8 46.2 59.4 74.8 88 114 143 169 211 273 343 396 528 2.2 3.2 4.2 6.0 6.8 9.6 15.2 22 28 42 54 68 80 104 130 154 192 248 312 360 480 1.1 1.6 2.1 3.0 3.4 4.8 7.6 11 14 21 27 34 40 52 65 77 96 124 156 180 240 302 361 414 477 515 590 0.9 1.3 1.7 2.4 2.7 3.9 6.1 9 11 17 22 27 32 41 52 62 77 99 125 144 192 242 289 336 382 412 472 2300 Volts 16 20 26 31 37 49 60 72 83 95 103 118

Synchronous-Type Unity Power Factor* 230 Volts 460 Volts 53 63 83 104 123 155 202 253 302 400 26 32 41 52 61 78 101 126 151 201 -