Motor Full-Load Amps (FLA) Chart
Full-load current of AC and DC motors by horsepower and voltage, with the conductor, breaker and fuse sizes that follow from it.
Three-phase at 460 V: 1 HP = 2.1 A · 5 HP = 7.6 A · 10 HP = 14 A · 25 HP = 34 A · 50 HP = 65 A · 100 HP = 124 A. At 230 V the current doubles; at 208 V multiply by 2.2.
Motor wire & breaker size calculator
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Motor current tables
Three-Phase AC Motors
Induction-type squirrel-cage and wound-rotor motors running at usual speeds with normal torque characteristics.
Table 430.248Single-Phase AC Motors
Single-phase motors running at usual speeds with normal torque characteristics.
Table 430.247Direct-Current Motors
DC motors running at base speed; voltages are armature voltage ratings.
Table 430.249Two-Phase AC Motors (4-Wire)
Two-phase, 4-wire induction motors.
Three-phase motor amps — common voltages
| Horsepower | 208 V | 230 V | 460 V | 575 V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 HP | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| 3/4 HP | 3.5 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 1 HP | 4.6 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 1.7 |
| 1 1/2 HP | 6.6 | 6 | 3 | 2.4 |
| 2 HP | 7.5 | 6.8 | 3.4 | 2.7 |
| 3 HP | 10.6 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| 5 HP | 16.7 | 15.2 | 7.6 | 6.1 |
| 7 1/2 HP | 24.2 | 22 | 11 | 9 |
| 10 HP | 30.8 | 28 | 14 | 11 |
| 15 HP | 46.2 | 42 | 21 | 17 |
| 20 HP | 59.4 | 54 | 27 | 22 |
| 25 HP | 74.8 | 68 | 34 | 27 |
| 30 HP | 88 | 80 | 40 | 32 |
| 40 HP | 114 | 104 | 52 | 41 |
| 50 HP | 143 | 130 | 65 | 52 |
| 60 HP | 169 | 154 | 77 | 62 |
| 75 HP | 211 | 192 | 96 | 77 |
| 100 HP | 273 | 248 | 124 | 99 |
| 125 HP | 343 | 312 | 156 | 125 |
| 150 HP | 396 | 360 | 180 | 144 |
| 200 HP | 528 | 480 | 240 | 192 |
| 250 HP | — | — | 302 | 242 |
| 300 HP | — | — | 361 | 289 |
| 350 HP | — | — | 414 | 336 |
| 400 HP | — | — | 477 | 382 |
| 450 HP | — | — | 515 | 412 |
| 500 HP | — | — | 590 | 472 |
Single-phase motor amps
| Horsepower | 115 V | 200 V | 208 V | 230 V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 HP | 4.4 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 2.2 |
| 1/4 HP | 5.8 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| 1/3 HP | 7.2 | 4.1 | 4 | 3.6 |
| 1/2 HP | 9.8 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 4.9 |
| 3/4 HP | 13.8 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 6.9 |
| 1 HP | 16 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 8 |
| 1 1/2 HP | 20 | 11.5 | 11 | 10 |
| 2 HP | 24 | 13.8 | 13.2 | 12 |
| 3 HP | 34 | 19.6 | 18.7 | 17 |
| 5 HP | 56 | 32.2 | 30.8 | 28 |
| 7 1/2 HP | 80 | 46 | 44 | 40 |
| 10 HP | 100 | 57.5 | 55 | 50 |
From FLA to wire and breaker size
- Look up the table current for the horsepower and voltage — not the nameplate.
- Conductors: ampacity ≥ 125% of FLA (430.22).
- Short-circuit protection: breaker ≤ 250% or time-delay fuse ≤ 175% of FLA, next standard size up permitted (430.52).
- Overloads: ≤ 125% of nameplate current for motors with service factor 1.15 or more or 40°C rise; 115% for all others (430.32).
- Disconnect: horsepower-rated, or at least 115% of FLA (430.110).
By horsepower
- 1/6 HP
- 1/4 HP
- 1/3 HP
- 1/2 HP
- 3/4 HP
- 1 HP
- 1 1/2 HP
- 2 HP
- 3 HP
- 5 HP
- 7 1/2 HP
- 10 HP
- 15 HP
- 20 HP
- 25 HP
- 30 HP
- 40 HP
- 50 HP
- 60 HP
- 75 HP
- 100 HP
- 125 HP
- 150 HP
- 200 HP
- 250 HP
- 300 HP
- 350 HP
- 400 HP
- 450 HP
- 500 HP
Frequently asked questions
Should I use the nameplate amps or the table amps?
Use the table full-load current for sizing branch-circuit conductors, the short-circuit and ground-fault protective device, and the disconnect (430.6(A)(1)). Use the motor nameplate current only for sizing the separate overload protection.
How do I size wire for a motor?
Branch-circuit conductors for a single motor must have an ampacity of at least 125% of the table full-load current. A 10 HP, 460 V three-phase motor is 14 A, so conductors need 17.5 A: 14 AWG copper. For several motors on one feeder, take 125% of the largest plus 100% of the rest.
How big can the breaker be for a motor?
For an inverse-time breaker, up to 250% of full-load current; for dual-element time-delay fuses, 175%; for non-time-delay fuses, 300%; for instantaneous-trip breakers, 800% (1100% for Design B energy-efficient motors). If the result is not a standard size, the next standard size up is permitted.
How many amps does a 1 HP motor draw?
16 A at 115 V and 8 A at 230 V single-phase; 4.2 A at 230 V and 2.1 A at 460 V three-phase.
Why can a motor breaker be larger than the wire ampacity?
Because the breaker only provides short-circuit and ground-fault protection and must ride through starting inrush of six times running current or more. Overload protection of the motor and its conductors is provided separately by the overload relay or the motor’s thermal protector.
NECTables.com is an independent reference and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NEC® and National Electrical Code® are registered trademarks of the NFPA. Values shown are commonly published engineering data and independent calculations based on the methods of NFPA 70; they are not a reproduction of the Code. Always confirm against the edition adopted in your jurisdiction, including local amendments, and consult a licensed electrician or engineer before doing electrical work.