Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 1

MCA (minimum circuit ampacity) = WSA (wire sizing amps) = your wire ampacity must be this big

or larger. You may need a larger size (for voltage drop or energy savings or whatever) but you
cannot use a smaller size.
FLA (full load amps) = RLA (running load amps) = use this for load calcs. If you don't have
MCA/WSA data, then this will get you in the ballpark for feeder size (but may ultimately be
wrong).
MOCP (maximum overcurrent protetive device) = maximum breaker or fuse rating. You may see
some equipment with a "maximum fuse rating" -- in that case, you MUST use a fuse (it can ALSO
have a breaker in the circuit, but a breaker alone won't cut the mustard). The MOCP rating will
often be larger than the MCA -- that might seem strange to you, that the fuse/breaker is bigger
than the wire, but that is OK and 100% per code. You can size the wire bigger if you want to or
that makes you feel better, but you are not required to per code or UL.
LRA (locked rotor amps) is what a motor will draw with a locked rotor, which will very nearly equal
what it will draw during starting. This will usually be about 700% of full load amps and will last
for about 6 seconds. You use this to calculate motor starting voltage drop. Code only requires
you to calculate motor starting voltage drop for fire pumps and very few other specific motor
types -- but practially, if your voltage drops below 85% or 80% of nominal voltage, your motor
may refuse to start. For short runs (say, less than 300 feet at 480v), motor starting probably
won't be an issue for you.
Your MCC would generally be sized based on FLA. 125% of largest motor FLA plus 100% of all
other smaller motor FLA would be a good minimum MCC size (and would be in accordance with
NEC 430 motor feeder sizing requirments).
See NEC 430 for motor & motor feeder requirements general to all motors.
See NEC 440 for motor requirements specific to HVAC motors. The MCA/MOCP questions above
are specific to HVAC motors and are covered in NEC 440.

You might also like