handy motor wiring size chart

George, Are you sure you're reading it right?. I haven't connected to Grant's web site to look at the chart - however *my* chart says a 1/4 hp motor draws 5.8 amps fully loaded, on a 115 v circuit.

Yes, his doesn't give amps. It gives wire size and feet for various motors sizes. It says a 1/4 hp 115V needs 14 gage for 25 feet, 10 gage for 50 feet, and 8 gage for 100 feet.

15 amp circuits are often 100 feet long and certainly more than 50 feet and use 14 gage wire.

It says a 1 hp needs 10 gage for 25 feet and 6 gage for 50 feet. My old Craftsman saw with a Sears 1 hp 12.2 amps motor is built on a movable base that has a 25 foot 16 gage wire extension wire. Currently, it is plugged into an outlet that is at least 25 feet from the panel (and probably 14 gage wire). My father used this saw extensively from the

1950's to late 1980s with this same cord and never had motor problems.

Charts of this type giving motor hp or motor kva instead of amps are usu. based on the amount of current a motor would "draw" if working fully loaded. The wire sizes given in such charts are that which will cause a certain percentage of voltage drop (usu. 2%) over a given length of wire. For example, a fully loaded 1/4 hp motor would draw about 5.8 amps from a 115 v single phase circuit. A chart of mine for *110 v* says that 6 amps drawn from a 110 v circuit would require #14 wire for a 2% v drop over 50 feet. This goes to #12 wire if the distance is 75 feet and to #10 for 100 feet.

This is very close to the information you mentioned from Grant's chart. So, Grant's chart is conservative - it may be based on a 1% voltage drop or on less efficient (imported ?) motors. It may also be "code". There are many variables that cause recommended wire sizes to vary, but you will never go wrong if you always stay on the conservative side.

Bob Swinney

Perhaps Grant's chart is based on starting current which is typically quite a bit higher than run current, even at full load. While to brief in proper operation to overheat the wires, I have seen a case where a small generator could keep an appliance running but couldn't start it.

Ted

The chart says it is from Dayton Electric Co., so I guess some one could ask them. Based on just the figures given for 1 hp and under single phase 115V, we know it isn't for

2% voltage drop. And it isn't based on inefficient motors, reasonable starting currents, and practical knowledge, based on other published data and experience. For example, 1/8 hp motors don't require 14 gauge wire, they run just fine on 16 gage and even 18 gauge wire. They even run just fine on 14 gauge extension cords that are 200 feet long.

Another example is my compressor is rated at 5 hp, but we know that is a lie and is probably close to 1 hp. It runs just fine from a building that is supplied by about 100 feet of 10 gauge wire. That is in stark contrast to the chart that indicates 4 gauge wire would be required for a 1 hp motor.

George,

Your description of "runs just fine" is not quite an accurate appraisal. In fact it is quite vague. Just because a motor runs doesn't mean that it is wired correctly or safely. "Runs just fine" doesn't imply what load is imposed on the motor. Phrases, like "fully loaded", "2%", "1%", "efficiency", etc. have exact meanings more or less as they are used to describe conditions of operation. Before you poo-poo Grant's chart or any other published standards, you are going to have to come up with a better argument, than "runs just fine".

And to add to Ted's case -

To get a start/run winding type motor always in the start winding and overheat. IR drop on in-rush currents can hamper all sorts of things.

Martin

I wonder if this is a matter of hard copper vs. soft copper. Stranded or solid.

I don't recall - was it copper ? or Al.

Martin

Excuse me! Runs just fine doesn't me just runs; you could accurately assume that runs just fine means it runs as intended with no problems. Runs just fine also means that the motor runs within the temperature intended. But, excuse me, next time I run my compressor I'll measure the voltage, will that tell you anymore about how my motor is running? How the hell would I measure the load on the compressor motor. The load is the compressor, if the load is 90, 80, or 70 percent of capacity, what do I care, that's determined by the manufacture. You think they reduced profits by installing a motor that runs at 50 percent capacity?

There is no safety issue, if the load is too much for the circuit, the breaker will trip and protect the wire, if the motor get too hot, the internal fuse or break will switch it off and protect the motor.

I didn't poo-poo the chart, for all I know it is correct for its >

George sez: " It's funny that you didn't offer any real information or insight."

The "real" information is in the standard wiring data and charts that are published for the same purpose as Grant's chart. Grant was kind enough to put forth information for us to use. There is really nothing to be gained if you contest such standard information with examples that appear to break the rules and still work ok. Now as for insight - I'm afraid that insight, like beauty, is pretty much in the mind of the beholder. I can't give it to you.

Bob Swinney