NEC 430.248 / 430.250 · Motor FLC

Motor Full-Load Current Chart

Full-load amps by horsepower and voltage for single- and three-phase motors — the NEC table values you use to size conductors and protection.

Single-phase motors — NEC Table 430.248 (amps)

HP115 V208 V230 V
1/29.85.44.9
3/413.87.66.9
1168.88
1-1/2201110
22413.212
33418.717
55630.828
7-1/2804440
101005550

Three-phase motors — NEC Table 430.250 (amps)

HP208 V230 V460 V
1/22.221
3/43.12.81.4
143.61.8
1-1/25.75.22.6
27.56.83.4
310.69.64.8
516.715.27.6
7-1/224.22211
1030.82814
1546.24221
2059.45427
2574.86834
30888040
4011410452
5014313065
6016915477
7521119296
100273248124

NEC Tables 430.248 (single-phase) and 430.250 (three-phase). Per NEC 430.6(A), use these table values — not the motor nameplate amps — for sizing conductors and overcurrent/branch-circuit protection. Conductors are then sized at 125% of the table FLC for a single continuous-duty motor (430.22).

Using motor full-load current

When you size a motor circuit, the NEC tells you to use the table full-load current (FLC), not the motor's nameplate amps. NEC 430.6(A)(1) points to Table 430.248 for single-phase motors and Table 430.250 for three-phase, by horsepower and voltage.

From the table FLC you size everything: conductors at 125% of FLC for a single continuous-duty motor (430.22), and branch-circuit short-circuit/ground-fault protection as a percentage of FLC by device type (430.52). The nameplate current is reserved for the overload device that protects the motor while it runs.

Wire ampacity for the sized conductor comes from the 310.16 ampacity chart; check long feeder runs with the voltage drop calculator. Field PM keeps your equipment list, panel schedules, and commissioning records together on the job.

FAQ

Why use the NEC FLC table instead of the nameplate amps?+

NEC 430.6(A)(1) requires using the full-load current values from Tables 430.248/430.250 to size branch-circuit conductors and short-circuit/ground-fault protection — not the motor's nameplate current. The nameplate value is used for overload (running) protection.

How do I size the wire for a motor?+

For a single continuous-duty motor, the branch-circuit conductors must be at least 125% of the table FLC (NEC 430.22). For example, a 10 HP 460 V three-phase motor at 14 A FLC needs conductors rated for at least 17.5 A.

What about the breaker size for a motor?+

Motor branch-circuit protection is sized as a percentage of FLC depending on device type (NEC 430.52) — commonly up to 250% of FLC for an inverse-time breaker — and then rounded per the rules. Always work from the table FLC, not the nameplate.

Built by a contractor, for the field

Field PM runs daily reports, job costing, QA/QC, and billing in one platform — $99/month with unlimited foremen, QA/QC, and safety free. 30-day trial, no credit card.

Start free trial →