Second YearApprenticeship

Lesson 230 – Motors: General

Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit
Conductors
 Objectives
Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

• 230.1 Select proper size branch circuit

conductors for single-phase motors.
• 230.2 Select proper size branch circuit
conductors for three-phase motors.
• 230.3 Select proper size flexible cord
conductors for motors.
• 230.4 Master adjustment factors for motor
branch circuits due to voltage drop, ambient
temperature and/or multiple conductors in a
raceway.

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230.1 Select Proper Size Branch Circuit Conductors for Single-Phase Motors.

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

Single-phase motors, such as those used in garage door openers,

are typically installed in applications where only single-phase
power is available.

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230.2 Select Proper Size Branch Circuit Conductors for Three-Phase Motors.

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

Three-phase motors are

typically used in
commercial and industrial
applications.

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230.3 Select Proper Size Flexible Cord Conductors for Motors.

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

NEC® Article 430.6 tells us to go to the tables in 430.248

through 250.
NEC® Article 430.22 tells us to multiply by 125%.
After calculating ampacity, go to the flexible cord chart in
NEC® Article 400.

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230.4 Master Adjustment Factors for Motor Branch Circuits Due to Voltage Drop,
Ambient Temperature and/or Multiple Conductors in a Raceway.

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

NEC® Article 430.6 explains how to determine motor

ampacity.
Highlight the differences for special conditions when
oversizing conductors for voltage drop, ambient temperature,
or other correction factors.

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 230 Safety Information

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

For Compressed Gas Cylinder safety,

The OSHA regulations require that employers determine that
gas cylinders under their control are in a safe condition and are
visually inspected.
Various other regulations can be found in information from the
Compressed Gas Association.

…continued on next slide

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 230 Safety Information

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

Propane is flammable and must be treated accordingly.

Keep propane tanks at least 6 feet away from any sources of
heat or ignition.
When these tanks are refilled on site, they must be at least 50
feet away from the nearest building.
These tanks must be stored outdoors; they cannot be stored
indoors.
Storage areas shall have at least one fire extinguisher rated at
least 20-B:C.

…continued on next slide

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 230 Safety Information

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

Welding tanks must have their protective caps in place before

they can be moved.
If cylinders are hoisted they must be secured on skids, cradles
or a pallet.
Cylinders shall be rolled on their bottom edges.
Oxygen cylinders must be stored at least 20 feet from fuel gas
cylinders, or a fire-resistant barrier five feet tall and at least one
hour fire-rated must separate these cylinders.

…continued on next slide

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 230 Safety Information

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

These cylinders must not be stored near any highly flammable

materials.
Store them in a well-ventilated area. Do not store them in a
closed location, such as a locker or gang box.
Keep the welding tanks far enough away from sparks or hot
slag from any welding operations.
Do not take any fuel gas or oxygen cylinders into any confined
space.

…continued on next slide

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 230 Safety Information

Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

The valve caps must be in place on the tanks to protect them

from damage if you are going to move them.
CO2 displaces oxygen and is very dangerous if used in areas
where ventilation is poor. Never use CO2 in confined spaces if
good ventilation cannot be maintained.
CO2 is tasteless and odorless, which makes it hard to detect and
can overcome a person or even cause death in these conditions.

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 Lesson 230 — Motors: General Knowledge and Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors

Second Year
Apprentice

© 2021 by IEC
All rights reserved