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Electrical Exam Master Guide-Practice Exams page 2

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Copyright 2010 by M.A. Electric, Inc.

Ampacity
Using Table 310.16, for ambient temperatures other than 30C (86F), multiply the allowable ampacities by the appropriate correction factor. Example Question What is the Ampacity of a copper conductor size 4/0 USE (75C column)? Answer: 230 Example Question What is the corrected amps for a #12 RHW 27C? Locate the ambient temperature at the bottom of Table 310.16 and you will see the correction factor, 1.00. Use that to solve the equation. Answer: 35 amps ! 1.00 = 35 amps Solve for Corrected Amps-Given Temperature

P
Temperature 44C 124F 52C 37C 115F 66C 54C 115F 29C 75F

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Conductor 8 RHW

CU or AL AL

2 THHN 10 UF

A
4 XHH CU CU CU AL CU CU 3/0 USE 18 FEP 500 THHW 750 UF 1000 RHH

6 XHHW

M
CU CU AL

Electrical Exam Master Guide Calculations page 17

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Ampacity Correction Factor

Corrected Ampacity

Derating Ampacity Conduit Fill with more than 3 Current-carrying Conductors in the Same Conduit
What is the derating factor of seven #10 TW in a 1" conduit? Use Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) and find the value for seven current-carrying conductors Answer: 70% What is the corrected ampacity for eight #10 TW in the same conduit? First find the ampacity of number 10 TW in Table 310.16 which is 30 amps. Next find the derating factor for eight conductors in the same conduit using Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) which is 70% (Note when Temperature is not given use the 90 column) Answer: 30 amps ! 70% = 21 amps is the corrected ampacity

Solve for Corrected Amps-Given Number of Conductors

P
# of Conductors 3 4 6 8 11 15 28 35 40 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Conductor 8 RHW

CU or AL AL

2 THHN 10 UF

A
4 XHH CU CU CU AL CU CU 3/0 USE 18 FEP 500 THHW 750 UF 1000 RHH

6 XHHW

M
CU CU AL
Electrical Exam Master Guide Calculations page 18

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Ampacity Correctio n Factor

Corrected Ampacity

Ampacity Correction Factor of a Continuous Load

A Continuous Load is defined as a load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. The rule to follow is that if equipment will be used for more than 3 hours continuously then its ampacity shall be derated by 80%. Example Question What is the corrected ampacity of a continuous load #12 THHN Answer: 30 amps ! 80% = 24 amps

Solve for Ampacity When Hours of Use is Given

P
Hours of Use 3 AL 1.5 2 4 8 10 11 15 18 24 AL AL AL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Conductor 14 SIS

CU or AL CU

10 TW

8 XHHW 4 ZW

A
CU 1 THW 2/0 USE-2 250 UF CU CU 400 ZW-2 500 THWN 750 THHN CU

M
CU

Electrical Exam Master Guide Calculations page 19

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Ampacity Correction Factor Corrected Ampacity

Ampacity Corrections for All Three Factors

Ampacity Corrections for All Three Factors

Temperature Hours in Use Continuous Load Factor 80% Conduit Fill Adjustment Factor Conductor Correction Factor Corrected Ampacity 14.56 Ampacity 20 CU / AL AL CU AL AL CU AL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

12 THHN 10 THWN 6 UF 3/0 USE 4/0 RHW 14 THHW 250 ZW-2 300 TBS

33C 47C 125F 44C

P
8 6 44 10 2 4 4

M
135F 65C CU AL 140F 29C 23C 115F CU CU AL

A
500 XHHW 750 RHH

S
10

Electrical Exam Master Guide Calculations page 20

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3 5 7 2 3.2 4 9 8 24 7 2.9 5 10

ex.

14 TW

35C

0.91

100%