Ampora is an AI-powered electrical calculator and reference app designed for electricians and electrical engineers. It includes professional tools like voltage drop calculator, wire sizing calculator, conduit fill calculator, arc flash analyzer, load calculation tools, and a comprehensive NEC code reference database.

What electrical calculators does Ampora include?

Ampora includes six professional electrical calculators: Voltage Drop Calculator, Wire Sizing Calculator, Conduit Fill Calculator, Arc Flash Analyzer, Load Calculation Tool, and Motor Sizing Calculator. All calculations are NEC code-compliant.

Does Ampora have an AI assistant for electrical questions?

Yes, Ampora features an advanced AI assistant trained on electrical engineering and NEC code. You can ask questions about electrical work, troubleshooting, code compliance, and get instant, accurate answers backed by NEC references.

Is Ampora compliant with NEC electrical codes?

Yes, all Ampora calculators and references are based on NEC 2023 standards. The app includes a comprehensive NEC code database with search functionality and article references.

Can Ampora analyze photos of electrical panels?

Yes, Ampora includes AI-powered photo analysis. Upload photos of electrical panels, wiring, and equipment to get intelligent analysis, safety recommendations, and troubleshooting guidance.

How do I calculate voltage drop for electrical circuits?

Use Ampora's Voltage Drop Calculator to calculate voltage drop for single-phase and three-phase circuits. Enter your circuit voltage, current, wire gauge, and distance to get accurate NEC-compliant voltage drop calculations. The app uses the standard formula VD = (2 × K × I × D) / CM for single-phase and VD = (1.732 × K × I × D) / CM for three-phase circuits.

What is the best app for electricians?

Ampora is designed specifically for electricians and electrical professionals. It combines AI assistance, professional calculators (voltage drop, wire sizing, conduit fill, arc flash), NEC code reference, photo analysis, and troubleshooting tools in one mobile app. It's free to download from the App Store.

How do I size electrical wire using NEC tables?

Wire sizing requires checking NEC Table 310.16 for conductor ampacity based on insulation temperature rating (60°C, 75°C, or 90°C). Apply temperature correction factors if ambient temperature exceeds 30°C, and conduit fill derating if more than 3 current-carrying conductors are in a raceway. Ampora's Wire Sizing Calculator handles all these factors automatically.

What is the NEC 3% voltage drop rule?

NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note recommends maximum 3% voltage drop for branch circuits and 5% total voltage drop (feeder + branch circuit combined). While these are recommendations, not requirements, many inspectors enforce them. For a 120V circuit, 3% equals 3.6V maximum drop.

Where is GFCI protection required by NEC code?

Per NEC 210.8, GFCI protection is required for 125V-250V receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens (countertop and within 6 feet of sink), garages, outdoors, basements, crawl spaces, laundry areas, and within 6 feet of any sink. The NEC 2023 expanded requirements to include 250V receptacles in many locations.

What is AFCI protection and where is it required?

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection detects dangerous arcing conditions that could cause fires. Per NEC 210.12, AFCI protection is required for 120V, 15A and 20A branch circuits in dwelling unit bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, hallways, closets, and similar rooms.

How do I calculate conduit fill?

Conduit fill is calculated using NEC Chapter 9 tables. One conductor can fill 53% of conduit area, two conductors can fill 31%, and three or more can fill 40%. Use Ampora's Conduit Fill Calculator to automatically determine the correct conduit size based on conductor types, sizes, and quantities.

Is Ampora free to use?

Yes, Ampora is free to download from the App Store. The app includes AI assistant, all six electrical calculators, NEC code reference, photo analysis, and troubleshooting tools. No credit card required to get started.

Can I use Ampora offline on job sites?

Ampora's electrical calculators and reference formulas work offline. The AI assistant and photo analysis features require an internet connection to process queries through our AI system.

What is arc flash analysis?

Arc flash analysis calculates incident energy levels and arc flash boundaries to determine required personal protective equipment (PPE) when working on energized electrical equipment. Ampora's Arc Flash Calculator follows IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E standards to provide incident energy, working distance, and PPE category recommendations.

How do I calculate electrical load for a service?

Residential service load calculations follow NEC Article 220. Start with 3 VA per square foot for general lighting, add small appliance circuits (1500 VA each), laundry circuit (1500 VA), and individual appliance loads. Apply demand factors per NEC Table 220.42 and 220.54. Ampora's Load Calculation tool automates this process.

What are NEC receptacle spacing requirements?

Per NEC 210.52, no point along the floor line of any wall space can be more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet. This means receptacles must be spaced no more than 12 feet apart. Any wall section 2 feet or wider requires a receptacle. Kitchen countertops require receptacles so no point is more than 24 inches from an outlet.

Does Ampora work for commercial electricians?

Yes, Ampora is designed for both residential and commercial electricians. It includes commercial-focused tools like motor sizing calculator with full load current tables, three-phase voltage drop calculations, arc flash analysis, and NEC code reference covering commercial requirements.

How do I prepare for an electrical inspection?

Before calling for inspection: verify permits are posted, all work is complete for that phase, boxes are accessible, panels are open, and work area is clean. Use Ampora's AI assistant to verify code compliance on specific questions like GFCI locations, AFCI requirements, box fill, and receptacle spacing before the inspector arrives.

3-Phase Power Calculations Guide

Why 3-Phase Power?

Three-phase power is the standard for commercial and industrial electrical systems. It offers significant advantages over single-phase power:

More efficient: Delivers more power with less conductor material
Constant power: Power delivery is smooth, not pulsating
Better for motors: Creates a rotating magnetic field naturally
Reduced conductor size: Neutral carries no current in balanced loads

Delta vs Wye Configurations

The two fundamental 3-phase configurations are Delta (Δ) and Wye (Y). Understanding the difference is critical for correct calculations.

Wye (Star) Configuration

In a wye system, one end of each winding connects to a common neutral point:

V_line = √3 × V_phase = 1.732 × V_phase

I_line = I_phase

Example: 208Y/120V system → 208V line-to-line, 120V line-to-neutral

Delta Configuration

In a delta system, the windings form a closed triangle with no neutral:

V_line = V_phase

I_line = √3 × I_phase = 1.732 × I_phase

Example: 480V delta → 480V line-to-line, no neutral available

Common 3-Phase Voltages

System	Line-to-Line	Line-to-Neutral
208Y/120V	208V	120V
480Y/277V	480V	277V
240V Delta	240V	N/A (or 120V high-leg)
480V Delta	480V	N/A

Power Calculations

Understanding the relationship between real power (kW), reactive power (kVAR), and apparent power (kVA) is essential for proper equipment sizing.

Key 3-Phase Power Formulas

Apparent Power (kVA):

S = (V_L × I_L × √3) / 1000

Real Power (kW):

P = (V_L × I_L × √3 × PF) / 1000

Current from kVA:

I = (kVA × 1000) / (V_L × √3)

Current from kW:

I = (kW × 1000) / (V_L × √3 × PF)

Practical Example

Problem: Size conductors for a 50 HP motor on 480V 3-phase

Given: 50 HP motor, 480V, 3-phase, 0.85 power factor, 90% efficiency

Step 1: Convert HP to kW

P = 50 HP × 0.746 kW/HP = 37.3 kW (output)

Step 2: Account for efficiency (input power)

P_in = 37.3 / 0.90 = 41.4 kW

Step 3: Calculate current

I = (41,400) / (480 × 1.732 × 0.85)

I = 41,400 / 706.5 = 58.6 Amps

Step 4: Apply NEC 430.22 (125% for motor circuits)

I_conductor = 58.6 × 1.25 = 73.3 Amps

→ Use #4 AWG copper conductors (85A @ 75°C)

Power Factor Correction

Low power factor wastes energy and can result in utility penalties. Most utilities require a power factor of 0.90 or higher. Power factor can be improved by adding capacitor banks.

kVAR required for correction:

kVAR = kW × (tan θ₁ - tan θ₂)

Where θ₁ = existing angle, θ₂ = desired angle

Quick Reference Card

√3 = 1.732

The magic number in 3-phase calculations

746W = 1 HP

Converting horsepower to watts

kVA = kW / PF

Apparent from real power

208V = 120V × √3

Line voltage from phase voltage

Use Ampora for Complex Calculations

3-phase calculations can get complex quickly—especially when factoring in power factor, efficiency, and derating factors. Ampora's calculator handles all of this instantly, giving you accurate results with NEC code references.

3-Phase Power Calculations: Complete Guide for Electricians