CONDUCTOR AMPACITY

CALCULATION
PART 1
PREPARED BY:
ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JESSMAR U. BONGOLTO
AND ILLUMINATION MAR JOHN L. BAGUHIN
 Lesson Objectives:
1. Explain what is mean by ampacity

2. Determine allowable conductor ampacity

using NEC ampacity tables

3. Calculate conductor ampacity

applying NEC provision

ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION

 What do you mean by ampacity?
• Ampacity is the maximum amount of electric current that a
conductor can carry continuously without exceeding its
temperature rating. It is a measure of the electrical capacity of a
wire or cable, and is typically expressed in amperes (A).

IMPORTANT
• To ensure that the ampacity of a wire or cable is sufficient for
the electrical load it will be carrying, in order to avoid
overheating, damage, or safety hazards.

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE (PEC)

Practice safeguarding of person and property from hazard arising
from the use of electricity

ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION

1st Method: Conductor Ampacity Calculation from Tables as provided in 310.15
(B)

In this method, the following point are explain

1 ). General Overview of Allowable Ampacity

Tables for Conductor rated 0 to 2000 volts.

2). General rules controlling the conductor

ampacity calculation.

3). Factors affecting conductor Ampacity.

ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION

1 .General Overview of Allowable Ampacity Tables for Conductor rated 0 to 2000
volts.

The Allowable Ampacities for conductors rated 0 to 2000 volts

are specified in the following :
• Table 310.15(B)16
• Table 310.15 (B)17
• Table 310.15(B)18
• Table 310.15(B)19
• Table 310.15(B)20
• Table 310.15(B)21

ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION

 Table 310.15(B)16
Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table
310.16) Allowable Ampacities of
Insulated Conductors Rated Up to and
Including 2000 Volts, 60°C Through 90°C
(140°F Through 194°F), Not More Than
Three Current-Carrying Conductors in
Raceway, Cable, or Earth (Directly
Buried), Based on Ambient Temperature
of 30°C (86°F)*
 Table 310.15(B)17
Allowable Ampacities of single-Insulated
Conductors Rated up and Including 2000
volts in free Air Based Temperature of 30
C 186 F

Determine the allowable ampacities of copper

conductors of insulated fine-stranded wires or
cables not larger than 2000 kcmil in size, based
on temperature and number of conductors in a
raceway or cable.
 Table 310.15(B)18
A table that provides the
ampacity values for conductors
that are rated 0-2000 volts.

This table applies to conductors installed in free air or directly buried in earth. It is commonly used in
commercial and industrial electrical installations to ensure that the conductors will not overheat and cause
a fire or damage equipment.
 Table 310.15(B)19
This table provides ampacity
values for conductors based on
their size, temperature rating,
and the type of insulation used.

It is used to ensure that the conductors are able to safely carry the current load
without overheating.
 Table 310.15(B)20
Used to determine the ampacity of
conductors for branch circuits and
feeders.

This table lists the allowable ampacities

based on the size of the conductor, the
type of insulation, and the temperature
rating.
 1.1 Allowable Ampacity Tables Construction

For example, Table 310.15(B)(16) which provides Allowable Ampacities

of Insulated Conductors Rated Up to and Including 2000 Volts, 60°C
Through 90°C (140°F Through 194°F), Not More Than Three Current-
Carrying
Conductors in Raceway, Cable, or Earth (Directly Buried), Based on
Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86°F).

ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION 11

 1.1.A Conditions for table application
These conditions are existing in the table description at the top of the table and in table
310.15(B)(16), these conditions are:

1. Conductors Rated Up to and Including 2000 Volts

2. Actual conductor temperature ranges from 60°C Through 90°C (140°F
Through 194°F)
3. Not more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway, cable, or
earth (directly buried).
4. An ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F).
 1.1.B Conductor Material Sections
Two main Sections for conductor material type are existing (see above image):
1. One for copper,
2. One for aluminium or copper-clad aluminum conductors.
 1.1. C Temperature Categories
Each of the two main sections for conductor material types is divided into three
temperature categories (see below image):
1. 60°C (140°F),
Noting that each temperature category is applicable with certain insulation properties which
2. 75°C (167°F)
are listed in the row under each temperature category.
3. 90°C (194°F).
 1.2 Notes for Allowable Ampacities Tables:

Note#1
The asterisk (*) next to the ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F) included in table
description at the top of the table, Refer to table 310.15(B)(2) for application of
the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 30°C
(86°F).
Note#2

The asterisk (**) next to wire sizes 10, 12, and 14 AWG refers to article 240.4(D)
and is letting you know that conductor sizes #14, #12, and #10 copper and
aluminum are limited to certain size overcurrent protection devices (OCPD) even if
the ampacity of the #14, #12, and #10 conductor is higher. The limitations are:
A- For Copper Conductors:
• #14 copper limited to 15-amp OCPD
• #12 copper limited to 20-amp OCPD
• #10 copper limited to 30-amp OCPD
 Note#3
Ampacity tables, particularly Table 310.15(B)(16), do not consider all the many
factors affecting ampacity.

If loads are not calculated in accordance with the requirements of Article 220, the table ampacities, even when corrected in
accordance with ambient correction factors and the notes to the tables, might be too high. Especially where many cables or
raceways are routed close to one another underground.

Note#4
Copper conductors of the same size have three different allowable ampacities. The
same is true for aluminum (and copper-clad aluminum) conductors. This is because
the maximum allowable ampacities depend on the conductor’s temperature rating.

Example
A 3 AWG copper conductor with a temperature rating of 60°C has a
maximum allowable ampacity of 85 amperes (A). The maximum allowable ampacity
of the same 3 AWG copper conductor with a temperature rating of 75°C is 100A. If
the temperature rating of the 3 AWG copper conductor is 90°C, the allowable
ampacity is 115A.
 Note#3
Ampacity tables, particularly Table 310.15(B)(16), do not consider all the many
factors affecting ampacity.

If loads are not calculated in accordance with the requirements of Article 220, the table ampacities, even when corrected in
accordance with ambient correction factors and the notes to the tables, might be too high. Especially where many cables or
raceways are routed close to one another underground.

Note#4
Copper conductors of the same size have three different allowable ampacities. The
same is true for aluminum (and copper-clad aluminum) conductors. This is because
the maximum allowable ampacities depend on the conductor’s temperature rating.

Example
A 3 AWG copper conductor with a temperature rating of 60°C has a
maximum allowable ampacity of 85 amperes (A). The maximum allowable ampacity
of the same 3 AWG copper conductor with a temperature rating of 75°C is 100A. If
the temperature rating of the 3 AWG copper conductor is 90°C, the allowable
ampacity is 115A.
 Note#5
All The Allowable Ampacities Tables refer to table 310.104(A) (see above image)
which contains information about conductors rated 600V. Conductor information in
this table includes trade name, type letter, maximum operating temperature,
application provisions, insulation, thickness of insulation, and outer covering (if
any).
 Note#6: Conductor Lettering
Allowable ampacity tables specify the wiring properties that are applicable for each temperature category listed in
the table.

The letters on wiring, such as THHN or THW, indicate specific properties of the wire or insulation. These letters are used
in allowable ampacity tables and help identify the wire's suitability for specific applications.

NOTE:
The general rule is that a conductor
rated as 75°C can be used with
devices rated up to 75°C. However,
there are exceptions such as THW
which can be used with ballasts in
dry locations at 90°C.
 Examples for Conductor Lettering:

• TW - Thermoplastic (T) insulation, (W) suitable for wet and dry locations (When suitable for wet generally means it can be
used for dry also) and is rated 60° C (no H in group).
• RHW - Rubber (R) insulation, (H) rated 75° C and (W) suitable for wet and dry locations.
• TF - Thermoplastic (T) insulation, (F) fixture wire
• RFH – Rubber (R) insulation, (F) fixture wire, (H) rated 75° C

1.3 How to use these Allowable

Ampacities Tables:
 Step#1: Determine the proper table to use based on the existing wiring method conditions

Example, if we have a multi-conductor cable with three 6 AWG Type THWN copper installed in a raceway in
free air based on an ambient air temperature of 30° C (86° F), which table we will use; TABLE B.310.15(B)(2)
(1) or TABLE B.310.15(B)(2)(3)?

Yes, it is table B.310.15(B)(2)(1), because tables TABLE B.310.15(B)(2)(3) don’t be used with the following:

• THWN insulation material or

• Ambient temperature 30° C (86° F) or
• Multi-conductor cable in a raceway.
Table B.31.15 B
Step#2: Determine the proper section in the selected table based on the conductor material type
(Copper – Aluminum or Copper Clad Aluminum)
In same example above, because this is a copper conductor, we will use the section in the left side of table
310.15(B)(17).

Step#3: Locating the Ampacity Value

In the table section selected above, move down to the given conductor size, which is 6 AWG in our example,
the ampacity value are existing in the 6 AWG Row.

Now, move to the right in the 6AWG row until you reach the column for THWN insulation for a copper
conductor. This will be the 75° C (167° F) column.

Step#4: Now read the amapcity of the conductor, you should read 58.
 "MUCH BETTER JUD ANG OVERHEAD " DANGIN

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ELE 103: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION 00