Motor Sizing Calculator

Calculate motor full load current, overcurrent protection, conductor sizing, and starter selection per NEC Article 430.

Use Calculator in App

What is Motor Sizing?

Motor sizing involves properly selecting conductors, overcurrent protection, and controllers for motor branch circuits. The NEC Article 430 provides specific requirements that differ from standard branch circuit rules.

Motor circuits require special consideration due to high starting currents (typically 6-8× FLC) and the need for both overload protection (thermal) and short-circuit protection (magnetic).

Three-Phase Motor FLC (NEC Table 430.250)

Full-load currents for three-phase AC motors at various voltages:

HP208V230V460V575V
14.6A4.2A2.1A1.7A
311.0A9.6A4.8A3.9A
517.5A15.2A7.6A6.1A
7.525.3A22A11A9A
1032.2A28A14A11A
1548.3A42A21A17A
2062.1A54A27A22A
2578.2A68A34A27A
3092A80A40A32A
50143A130A65A52A

Motor Circuit Protection (NEC 430.52)

Maximum short-circuit protection as a percentage of motor FLC:

Motor TypeNon-Time Delay FuseDual Element FuseInverse Time Breaker
Single-Phase300%175%250%
Squirrel Cage300%175%250%
Wound Rotor150%150%150%
Synchronous300%175%250%

Key NEC Motor Sizing Rules

Conductor Sizing (430.22)

Branch circuit conductors must be at least 125% of motor FLC from NEC tables.

Overload Protection (430.32)

115% of nameplate FLA for service factor ≥1.15 or temp rise ≤40°C. 125% for all others.

Short-Circuit Protection (430.52)

Size per Table 430.52. Round up to next standard size if calculated value doesn't correspond.

Disconnect (430.110)

Motor disconnect must be rated at least 115% of motor FLC from NEC tables.

Motor Circuit Example

Problem:

Size the branch circuit components for a 10 HP, 460V, 3-phase squirrel cage motor.

Solution:

FLC (Table 430.250): 14A

Conductor: 14 × 1.25 = 17.5A → 12 AWG (THHN = 25A)

Overload: 14 × 1.15 = 16.1A → 16A heater

Short-Circuit (Inverse Time): 14 × 2.5 = 35A → 35A breaker

Disconnect: 14 × 1.15 = 16.1A → 30A rated switch

Use: 12 AWG THHN, 16A overload, 35A breaker, 30A disconnect

Instant Motor Sizing with Ampora

Enter motor HP and voltage - get complete circuit sizing instantly. All NEC Article 430 tables and calculations built-in.

Download Free on App Store

Get All Calculators in One App

Download Ampora for instant access to all electrical calculators, AI assistant, NEC code reference, and more. Free to try.

Download on App Store