NEC Wire, Conduit and

Ground Wire Sizing

Power Analytics Corporation

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©Copyright Power Analytics Corporation 2012

All rights reserved

Version 3.10.00 October 2008

EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................. 1

II. CALCULATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 1

III. DATA TABLES .............................................................................................................................................. 1

IV. FEATURES ..................................................................................................................................................... 2

V. GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR ............................................................................................... 2

VI. MINIMUM SIZE EQUIPMENT GROUND CONDUCTOR ......................................................................... 2

VII. GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................................................................................... 3

VIII. RACEWAY CONFIGURATIONS FOR SIZING AND CONDUCTOR DERATING .................................. 3

IX. VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS ........................................................................................................... 4

X. SUPPLEMENTARY VALIDATION PROBLEMS ..................................................................................... 10

1.0 Network Based NEC Wire Sizing ................................................................................................................. 14

1.1 Feeder Type Option ........................................................................................................................ 21
1.2 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit ...................................................................... 22
1.3 Copying and Pasting Wire Sizing Studies ....................................................................................... 26

2.0 Standalone NEC Wire Sizing ........................................................................................................................ 28

2.1 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit (Standalone Method) ................................... 34
2.2 Accessing Tables and Databases ..................................................................................................... 36
2.2.1 Wire Tables....................................................................................................................... 37
2.2.2 Conductor Properties Tables ............................................................................................. 41
2.2.3 Raceway Tables ................................................................................................................ 44

2.3 Creating a New “Master Wire Database” ........................................................................................ 45

2.3.1 Assigning a New Default Master Wire Database .............................................................. 46

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Tables

Table 1 ..........................................................................................................................................................................6
Table 2 ..........................................................................................................................................................................7
Table 3 ..........................................................................................................................................................................8
Table 4 ..........................................................................................................................................................................9
Table 5 ..........................................................................................................................................................................9

Note: You can view this manual using your CD as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. The file name is:

 NEC Wire Sizing NEC_Wire_Sizing.pdf

You will find the Test/Job files used in this tutorial at the following location:

 C:\DesignBase\Samples\NECWireSz = NEC Wire Sizing

Test Files: _WS, WIRE_SA

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

I. FOREWORD

The Wire Sizing program accepts user's information regarding the components to be used for an
electrical system. Based on this information, the program computes the smallest allowable wire size
which meets user's specifications. The program also computes the conduit size required, and the
voltage drop in Volts and in percentages. The program allows the user to define many sets of data
and to perform the corresponding calculations on each individual set. Each set is called a "branch".
Thus, the program maintains the user's list of branches with the calculations for each branch.

II. CALCULATIONS

The program can:

 Size power conductors according to NEC for the following conditions:

- Any number of conductors in a single conduit or raceway. Additional power conductors
can be added to the conduit to affect the derating of the conductor.
- Circuits involving multiple conductors per phase.
- Single conductor cables in a cable tray.

 Size system grounding electrode conductors.

 Size equipment grounding conductors.

 Calculate voltage drop at design load for single-phase two- and three-wire circuits, and
three-phase three-wire and four-wire circuits.

 Size conduits, raceways and cable trays for all power conductor conditions listed above.

III. DATA TABLES

All data tables used by the program are completely accessible and can be edited by the user. They
are as follows:

 Ampacity tables;

 Ambient temperature and multiple conductor adjustments;

 AC resistance and reactance of conductors;

 Conductor dimensions;

 Insulation properties;

 Conduit, raceway, and cable tray dimensions.

 Multiple wire table data files can be maintained to meet the needs of different projects.

Conduit, raceway and cable tray dimensions can be input by the user to match any desired system.
Several generic types are supplied by DesignBase.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

IV. FEATURES
The user interface is completely menu driven. Calculations are done on-screen with a Windows
spreadsheet style editing screen.

Default parameters can be set at two levels to control wire and conduit sizing:

MASTER DEFAULTS

Master defaults are stored in the wire sizing table file. These values are used to initialize a new job
file, and can be customized by the user.

JOB DEFAULTS

The default parameters can be further customized for each individual job file without affecting the
master default settings. All of these defaults may be overridden for each individual circuit in the job
file. A wire size can be specified by the user. In this case, the program calculates the voltage drop,
and checks the actual derated ampacity against the load.

If a conduit size is specified by the user, the actual fill is checked against the allowable fill for the
given size.

Additional wires of a given size, or type, can be specified as running in the same conduit with the
circuit being sized. These wires can be specified as power conductors, in which case they affect both
conduit fill and ampacity, or as control wires, in which case they affect only the conduit fill.

V. GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR

This part of the program computes the size of the required grounding electrode conductor for a
specified service entrance.

First, define the service entrance conductor(s) by specifying the type "S" (to instruct the program to
size a service entrance based on a given load), or "PS" (to directly input a service entrance
conductor size).

Next, define the grounding electrode conductor by specifying a type "SG" wire. Be sure to select
the material ("AL" or "CU") from the detail screen. (AL = Aluminum, CU = Copper)

The program will select a grounding electrode conductor based on the total area of all type "S" and
"PS" wires. (See Article 250-94 NEC 2000.)

VI. MINIMUM SIZE EQUIPMENT GROUND CONDUCTOR

This part of the program computes the minimum size equipment grounding conductors for grounding
raceway and equipment if given the rating of the automatic overcurrent device, and the material of
the conductor.

Select an equipment ground conductor by specifying a type "EG" wire. The value entered in the
load column will be used as the rating, or overcurrent, device setting to select the conductor. See
NEC 2000, Article 250-95.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

VII. GENERAL INFORMATION

Ampacities and ambient correction factors are based on the Table #310-16 and #310-17, NEC 2000.

Derating due to the number of conductors in a conduit is based on the Table on page 70-166, NEC
2000.

Derating due to temperature is based on Table #310-16 and #310-17, NEC 2000.

Conduit, raceway, and cable tray selections are based on the total wire area plus insulation based on
Table #5, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Bare wire area is based on Table #8, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Voltage drops are calculated for single-phase two- or three-wires; three-phase three- or four-wires.
See IEEE Std and Beeman.

AC resistance and reactance are based on Table #9, Chapter 9, NEC 2000.

Types of loads:

A = current to be specified, in amps;

KW = KW to be specified;

KVA = KVA to be specified;

HP = horsepower with the percentage efficiency to be specified.

Note that the current required must be determined. If known, the current can be directly entered.
Otherwise, user can enter KW, KVA, or HP. The program will then compute how much current is
generated by the specified load and will take 125% of the computed load current for wire size
calculations. (125% value can be changed by user to any desired percentage.)

For KW, program uses % Power Factor (Job Default).

For KVA, user must enter KVA.

For HP, user must enter horsepower. Program uses percentage Power Factor and percentage
Efficiency (Job Default).

The generated current will be computed using these quantities and the above mentioned voltage and
phase.

Next, user must enter information about the additional conductors which will share the conduit. For
each conductor, user will enter its number and type, its wire size, and its type of insulation.

VIII. RACEWAY CONFIGURATIONS FOR SIZING AND CONDUCTOR DERATING

Four configurations of raceways/cable trays are supported. Define the configuration for each
raceway data set by selecting the Tables/Raceway Data menu and entering one of the following
codes in the type field:

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

C Single conduit for all conductors;

P Separate parallel conduits for each set of phase conductors. (Each conduit contains one of
each phase conductors, plus neutral.);

R Raceway;

T Cable Tray.

The four DesignBase supplied raceway data sets provide typical examples of each of the four
configuration types.

The selection of each configuration affects the following calculations:

1. For automatic calculation of the area, conduits are assumed to be round and raceways
rectangular. Note that the calculated area can be overridden.

2. Conductor derating for conduits follows Note 8, Ampacity Tables in Article 310, NEC 2000.

3. Conductor derating for raceways follows Article 362-5, NEC 2000.

4. Conductor derating for cable trays must be entered directly by the user in the wire detail
screen. Refer to Article 318, NEC 2000.

5. Conduit and raceway sizing is based on fill ratio: the ratio of the sum of all wire cross-
sectional areas to the cross-sectional area of the raceway. Refer to Chapter 9, Table 1, NEC
2000.

6. Cable sizing is based on Article 318-10, NEC 2000.

IX. VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS

Voltage drop calculations are based on AC resistance and reactance tables derived from Table #9,
Chapter 9, NEC 2000. The method of calculation is based on Beeman.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The above diagram indicates the magnitude of error when using the following equations:

Line-to-neutral voltage drop = I(R cos  + X sin ). (11)

Equation 11 can be converted to calculate the percent voltage drop as follows:

KVA (R cos  + X sin  )

Percent voltage drop = *100 (12)
(kv )2

where KVA is three-phase KVA and KV is line-to-line kiloVolts. For single-phase circuits the
percentage drop is twice this value.

AC resistance is corrected for operating temperatures as follows:

Resistance at lower temperature R1 = (13)

Resistance at higher temperature R2 = (14)

where:

T1 = Low temperature;

T2 = High temperature;

IZR = Inferred zero resistance temperature;

IZR = -234.5 for copper;
IZR = -236.0 for aluminum.

Conduit, raceway, and cable tray selections are based on Article 300-3b, NEC* 2000. All conductors

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

of the same circuit, plus neutral and equipment grounding conductors, are contained within the same
conduit.

Conduits are selected according to Article 345-7, NEC 2000. Conductor ampacity derating for
conduits is according to Note 8, Article 310 of NEC 2000. Raceways are selected according to Article
362-5, NEC 2000.

Cable trays are selected according to Article 318-10, NEC 2000. Conductor ampacity is adjusted
according to Article 318-11 (b), NEC 2000.
® ®
NOTE: National Electric Code and NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection
Association, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269, U.S.A.

Table 1

MATERIAL TEMPERATURE FOR

ZERO RESISTANCE (C°)

Aluminum -236.0

Copper -234.5

A circular mil is a circle 0.001 inch in diameter.

A mil is one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch)

C mils = square mils  1.273 square mils

= C mils  0.7854.

R = (15)

where:

A = Area in C mils;

d = Diameter in mils;

L = Length of wire in feet;

r = Specific resistance of material;

R = Resistance of wire.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Table 2

CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTORS FOR MORE THAN THREE

CONDUCTORS IN A RACEWAY

CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTOR WITH LOAD DIVERSITY

Factor Number of Conductors in Raceway

0.8 4 to 6

0.7 7 to 24

0.6 25 to 42

0.5 43 or more

CONDUCTOR DERATING FACTOR WITHOUT LOAD DIVERSITY

Factor Number of Conductors

.8 4 to 6

.7 7 to 9

.5 10 to 20

.45 21 to 30

.40 31 to 40

.35 41 to 60

Please read Section 8. Adjustment Factors, on pages 70-196 of NEC Article 310. When you size conductors
for loads, if you consider neutral as a conductor, the conductors are derated with regard to the above NEC
table.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Table 3

BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF INSULATION TYPES IN GENERAL USE

Maximum Operating
Type Material and Characteristics Application Temperature (°F)

R Rubber Dry Locations 140

RH Heat-resistant rubber Dry Locations 167

RHH Higher-temperature, heat-

resistant rubber Dry Locations 194

RHW Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet

rubber Locations 167

T Thermoplastic Dry Locations 140

TH Heat-resistant thermoplastic Dry Locations 167

THW Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet

thermoplastic Locations 167
a
THWN Heat- and moisture-resistant Dry or Wet
thermoplastic with nylon covering Locations 167

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Table 4
Table 5

AMPACITY OF SINGLE INSULATED CONDUCTORS AMPACITY OF THREE (OR FEWER) CONDUCTORS

IN FREE AIR. IN A CABLE OR RACEWAY

Size Copper Aluminum Size Copper Aluminum

AWG or R,T,TW RH,RHW R,T,TW RH,W,T AWG or R,T,TW RH,RHW R,T,TW RH,W,T
MCM TW THWN,THW 60C THW,THWN MCM 60C THWN,THW 60C THW,THWN
60C 75C (140F) 75C (140F) 75C (140F) 75C
(140F) (167F) (167F) (167F) (167F)

14 20 20 _ _ 14 15 15 _ _

12 25 25 20 20 12 20 20 15 15

10 40 40 30 30 10 30 30 25 25

8 55 65 45 55 8 40 45 30 40

6 60 95 60 75 6 55 65 40 50

4 105 125 80 100 4 70 85 55 65

AWG 3 120 145 95 115 AWG 3 80 100 65 75

2 140 170 110 135 2 95 115 75 90

1 165 195 130 155 1 110 130 85 110

0 195 230 150 180 0 125 150 100 120

00 225 265 175 210 00 145 175 115 135

000 260 310 200 240 000 165 200 130 155

0000 300 360 230 280 0000 195 230 155 180

250 340 405 265 315 250 215 255 170 205

300 375 445 290 350 300 240 285 190 230

350 420 505 330 395 350 260 310 210 250

400 455 545 355 425 400 280 335 225 270

500 515 620 405 485 500 320 380 260 310

MCM 600 575 690 455 545 MCM 600 355 420 285 340

700 630 755 500 595 700 385 460 310 375

750 655 785 515 620 750 400 475 320 385

800 680 815 535 645 800 410 490 330 395

900 730 870 580 700 900 435 520 355 425

1000 780 935 625 750 1000 455 545 375 445

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

X. SUPPLEMENTARY VALIDATION PROBLEMS

A. VERIFY SENSITIVITY OF THE PROGRAM TO CONDUCTOR TEMPERATURE RATING.

Refer to jobfile "OPTEMP" for examples.

Given the following circuit:

Load: 400 amps

Length 500 ft.

Voltage 480 /three-phase

Ambient 30 c

select the appropriate conductor, and calculate the voltage drop for insulations rated at 60c, 75c,
85c and 90c.

a. 60c (insulation TW)

We wish to limit our selection to 500 kcmil to smaller cable. This will require two cables per
phase since the design ampacity of 500 amps is greater than the capacity of a single 500
kcmil cable.

Multi-conductor derating from note 8, Article #310, NEC 2000: 0.80

Try 2-400 kcmil: (ampacities from Article 310-16), NEC 2000

280 x 2 x 0.80 = 448 (not enough)

Try 2-500 kcmil:

320 x 2 x 0.80 = 512 THIS WILL WORK

Voltage drop: (impedance from Table # 9, Chapter # 9, NEC 2000)

Z = 0.050 x (60 + 234.5) / (75 + 234.5) = 0.0476

vd = 200 x (.0476 /1000) x 500 = 4.76 Volts

(Program result: 2-500 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 4.87 Volts)

b. 75c (insulation THWN)

Try 2-400 kcmil:

335 x 2 x 0.80 = 536 THIS WILL WORK

Try 2-350 kcmil:

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

310 X 2 X 0.80 = 496 (not enough)

Voltage drop:
VD = 200 X (.056 / 1000) X 500 = 5.6Volts

(Program result: 2-400 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 5.56 Volts)

c. 85c (insulation V)

Try 2-350 kcmil:

340 x 2 x 0.080 = 540 THIS WILL WORK

Try 2-300 kcmil:

310 x 2 x 0.80 = 496 (not enough)

Voltage drop:

Z = 0.60 x (85 + 234.5) / 75 + 234.5) = 0.062

vd = 200 x (.056 /1000) x 500 = 6.2 Volts

(Program result: 2-350 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 6.06 Volts)

d. 90c (insulation V)

Try 2-300 kcmil:

320 x 2 x 0.80 = 512 THIS WILL WORK

Try 2-250 kcmil:

290 x 2 x 0.80 =464 (not enough)

Voltage drop:

Z = 0.065 x (90 + 234.5) / (75 + 234.5) = 0.068

vd = 200 x (.056 / 1000) x 500 = 6.8 Volts

(Program result: 2-300 kcmil cables, voltage drop of 6.7 Volts)

The above results for cable selection exactly match the program results. This is to be expected
since the program uses a table look-up method that follows the manual procedure for using Table
# 310 in NEC 2000. Voltage drops calculated by the program are within 2 percent, or less, of the
manual calculations.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

B. VERIFY CABLE TRAY SELECTION

Note that the cable tray selection capability in the current version on NEC wire sizing is a very
basic, first effort at providing automated cable tray selection. Of the many possible configurations
of cable in cable trays, only the fill configuration of Article 318-10 (a) NEC 2000 and the ampacity
calculation of 318-11 (b) (1) and (2) NEC 2000 are supported. Note that for ampacity calculations,
the user must select the appropriate derating factor from 318-11 (b) NEC 2000 depending on
conductor size and decide whether the tray is covered. Refer to jobfile "CBLTRAY" for examples.

a. Select a cable tray for the following cables:

8 - 500 kcmil XHHW

6 - 4-0 XHHW

3 - 250 kcmil XHHW

Since there are conductors in the 1-0 to 4-0 range, selection is governed by Article 318-110
(a) (4) NEC 2000. The sum of diameters of all cables is:

Number and Size Diameter Total

8 - 500 kcmil XHHW 0.955 7.64
6 - 4-0 XHHW 0.646 3.876

3 - 250 kcmil XHHW 0.716 2.148

13.664 inches

This requires a cable tray larger than 12 inches, and the next size in our catalog is 18 inches. (
Calculation agrees with program result.)

b. Select a cable tray for the following cables:

4 - 750 kcmil XHHW

4 - 1000 kcmil XHHW

4 - 1750 kcmil XHHW

Since there are conductors both larger than, and smaller than 1000 kcmil, Article 310-10 (a)
(3) of NEC 2000, governs.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Number and Size Diameter or Area Total

2 2
4 - 750 kcmil XHHW 1.0936 in 4.374 in

4 - 1000 kcmil XHHW 1.330 in 5.32 in

4 - 1750 kcmil XHHW 1.740 6.96 in

Try 12 inch cable tray. From Table # 318-10, NEC 2000, the maximum fill for cables less than
1000 kcmil is:
2
13.0 - (1.1 [5.32 = 6.96]) = 5.99 in

Try 18 inch cable tray:

2
19.5 - (1.1[5.32 = 6.96]) = 5.99 in

Since this is greater than the 4.374 square inch area to be accommodated, 18 inch is OK.
(This agrees with the program result.)

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

1.0 Network Based NEC Wire Sizing

Step 2.
Step 3. Before proceeding with the actual wire sizing
Once the “Wire Sizing Tools” exercise, select the “Wire Sizing Tools” icon in order
command is invoked, the tools to get familiar with the functions included in this
menu will appear in this position. application.

Step 1.
Proceed to open the file “_WS.axd”
located in the Design Base 2.0 NECwiresz
“Samples” folder.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “Analysis” pick-list, allows the

user to select the type of wire sizing
methodology to be used.

The “Defaults” command sets the

base calculation parameters for the
analysis (Voltage, etc.).

The “Edit” command allows the user

to enter and/or edit data for the
selected feeder.

The “Delete” command allows the

user to delete the cable sizing data
for the selected feeder.

The “Copy” command allows the

user to copy the cable sizing data
from the selected feeder.

The “Paste” command allows the

user to assign previously copied data
to the selected feeder.

The “View” command allows the

user to view a list of all the feeders
assigned to the job file.

The “Store” command allows the

user to save the cable sizing data
being added to the selected feeders.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 4.
Proceed to size a 3-phase / 3-wire feeder for
MCC-1 as shown here. To begin, click on
the cable once to select it.

Step 5.
Proceed to define the default analysis
parameters by selecting the “Defaults” icon.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

`
Step 6. Step 7.
Select the “Settings” tab. Proceed to specify the voltage, phase/wire configuration, cable
temperature rating, ambient temperature, and maximum allowable
voltage drop as applicable. For this example, use the values suggested
here.

Step 9.
Define the load diversity factor, cable tray Step 8.
derating factor, load power factor, and motor Define the wire material, insulation type and
efficiency defaults. For this example, use the maximum wire gauge to be used in the design.
values suggested here. For this example, use the values suggested here.

Step 10. Step 11.

Select the “Conduit” tab. From the pick-lists, select the type of conduit to be used and its
respective material. Also specify the maximum fill limit for the
conduit. For this example, use the values suggested here.

Step 12.
Select “OK” to complete
the default settings.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 13.
When prompted to save
the file, select “Yes”.

Step 14.
Before proceeding, make sure that the feeder under
study is still selected in the single line diagram
(verify Step 4). Select the “Edit” icon.
Step 15.
The connectivity data is automatically loaded
from the single line diagram as shown in these
fields. Step 16.
From the pick list, select the category
of the cable based on the NEC
classification. For this example, select
“Feeder”.

Step 17.
Enter and/or verify the length of the
feeder under study.

Step 18.
Enter the load value and select its
respective units as indicated.

Step 19.
Once all the data has been entered, press the “Tab” button on
your keyboard to run the analysis. The required cable size and
number of conductors per phase are shown here. Also the actual
design ampacity, voltage drop in volts/% are shown in the gray
boxes.

Step 20.
Select “Wire Detail”.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 26.
To add additional cables, repeat the same
procedure shown in steps 1 through 26. To Step 27.
view all the cables in the job file, select the All the wire segments in the file would be listed here.
“View” icon. To view a report on a specific segment, select it and
press “View”. To view all of the listed segments, select
“View All”. To edit a specific wire segment, select it
and press “Edit”.

Step 28.
Select “Done” to exit.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

1.1 Feeder Type Option

This section is intended to clarify the

different feeder “Type” options that
are available in the “Edit Wire
Segment” menu.

F – Feeder
This option will automatically size a feeder branch cable based on the latest NEC requirements. The program will
calculate the cable size, number of conductors per phase required, design amps, and voltage drop.

PF – Pre-sized Feeder
This option allows the user to manually enter (pre-size) a cable for the branch feeder under study. The program will
calculate design amps, and voltage drop based on the cable and load specified by the user.

S – Service Entrance
This option will automatically size a service entrance cable based on the latest NEC requirements. The program will
calculate the cable size, number of conductors per phase required, design amps, and voltage drop.

PS – Pre-Sized Service Entrance

This option allows the user to manually enter (pre-size) a cable for the service entrance under study. The program
will calculate design amps, and voltage drop based on the cable and load specified by the user.

SG – System Ground
This option will automatically size a ground conductor for a specified service entrance cable based on the latest NEC
requirements. The user enters the ampacity of the service entrance cable, and the program will calculate the size of
an NEC compliant ground cable.

EG – Equipment Ground
This option will automatically size a ground conductor for a specified service feeder cable based on the latest NEC
requirements. The user enters the ampacity of the feeder cable, and the program will calculate the size of an NEC
compliant equipment ground cable.

CW – Control Wire
This option allows the user to specify a control wire cable.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

1.2 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit

Step 1.
In this example, we will manually add an
additional pre-sized feeder cable into the
feeder/conduit previously sized in section 1.0 of
this tutorial. Proceed by clicking on this feeder
once, in order to select it.

Step 2.
Once the existing feeder has been
selected, press the “Edit” icon.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 4.
Select “Add”.
Step 3.
Select “Wire Detail”.

Step 5.
From the pick-list, select a 4 AWG, THHN
single conductor. From the “Type” menu
select PF-Pre-sized Feeder” to indicate that
this cable is being entered manually by the
user. Select “OK”.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 7. Step 6.
To update the wire count The newly added cable is now
and the conduit size if listed on the table. The cable can
necessary, select “OK”. be edited or deleted, by simply
selecting it from the table and
pressing either the “Edit” or
“Delete” buttons.

Step 8.
Select “Wire Detail” again
to review the updated
calculation.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

1.3 Copying and Pasting Wire Sizing Studies

Step 1.
In this example, we will copy the wire sizing
study performed on “MCC-1 Feeder” and paste
it onto “MCC-2 Feeder”. The assumption here
is that both cables will be designed as identical
feeders.

COPY

Step 2.
Select the feeder to be copied, by clicking on it once as
indicated here. Select “MCC-1 Feeder”.

Step 3.
Once the existing feeder has been
selected, press the “Copy” icon.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.0 Standalone NEC Wire Sizing

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 7. Step 8.
Select the “Settings” tab. Proceed to specify the voltage, phase/wire configuration, cable
temperature rating, ambient temperature, and maximum allowable
voltage drop as applicable. For this example, use the values suggested
here.

Step 10.
Define the load diversity factor, cable tray Step 9.
derating factor, load power factor, and motor Define the wire material, insulation type and
efficiency defaults. For this example, use the maximum wire gauge to be used in the design.
values suggested here. For this example, use the values suggested here.

Step 11. Step 12.

Select the “Conduit” tab. From the pick-lists, select the type of conduit to be used and its
respective material. Also specify the maximum fill limit for the
conduit. For this example, use the values suggested here.

Step 13.
Select “OK” to complete
the default settings.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

Step 17.
Specify the labels for the “From Node”, “To
Node” and the wire “Segment”. Proceed as
indicated here. Step 18.
From the pick list, select the category
of the cable based on the NEC
classification. For this example, select
“Feeder”.

Step 19.
Enter and/or verify the length of the
feeder under study.

Step 20.
Enter the load value and select its
respective units as indicated.

Step 21.
Once all the data has been entered, press the “Tab” button on
your keyboard to run the analysis. The required cable size and
number of conductors per phase are shown here. Also the actual
design ampacity, voltage drop in volts/% are shown in the gray
boxes.

Step 22.
Select “Wire Detail”.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.1 Adding a Pre-Sized Feeder into an Existing Conduit (Standalone Method)

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.2 Accessing Tables and Databases

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “Wire Tables” database, allows the user to

2.2.1 Wire Tables view and modify, if required, values for all the
parameters shown here.

The “Wire Parameters” table

allows the user to modify base
parameters for the wire and
conduit sizing calculations.
Refer to section 2.0, steps 7 to
13 for details.

The “Ambient Correction Factors” table, allow

the user to view the current code compliant
data. By selecting “Add”, “Edit” or “Delete”
the user can make modifications to the existing
data as required.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “Multi-Conductor” table allows the user to

verify and/or edit the ampacity based on the number
of conductors within a raceway. Two tables are
available for this purpose; with and without taking
into account diversity factors.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “Insulation Classes” table allows

the user to view and/or edit the
temperature rating for each type of
insulation.

The “Equipment Ground” table

allows the user to view and/or edit the
ground wire size required for a feeder
based on the over-current protection
setting.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “Small Motors” table

allows the user to specify
current ratings for motors based
on 120 V and 240 V voltage
applications.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.2.2 Conductor Properties Tables

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

The “System Ground” table allows the user to

view/modify the ground conductor sizes that
correspond to specific service entrance ampacity
ratings. Both Aluminum and Copper are included.

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.2.3 Raceway Tables

The “Raceway Tables” allow the

user to designate numbers and id’s
to different types of raceways that
are to be used in different design
applications.

The “Data Set” table allows the user to

view, add or modify the physical
dimensions of conduits based on their
trade size designation.

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.3 Creating a New “Master Wire Database”

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EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

2.3.1 Assigning a New Default Master Wire Database

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 EC Wire, Conduit and Ground Wire Sizing

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