Conductor Requirements Flashcards
most common conductor
materials used in building electrical wiring, although
other materials can be used.
Copper and aluminum
are used in
small conductor sizes (up to about ______) because
safety issues associated with aluminum are avoided and
weight and cost are not significantly affected.
solid copper conductors, 8 AWG
are widely used on
larger (above _____) circuits serving large motors,
equipment, and appliances
‘Stranded aluminum conductors, 30 A
Electronic circuits and phone extensions
No. 20 AWG and smaller
Light-gauge extension cords, lamp cords, door chime wiring, small appliance cords
No. 16 to 18 AWG
Normal 15 A and 20 A branch circuits serving small appliances, convenience (receptacle) outlets,
and luminaires
No. 12 to 14 AWG
Larger branch circuits at 30 A and above serving electrical appliances such as electric water heaters, clothes
dryers, air conditioning equipment, and water pumps
No. 4 to 10 AWG
Residential and light commercial service entrance conductors and feeders to panelboards
No. 2 to 4/0 AWG
Heavy commercial and industrial service entrance conductors, large feeders to closet transformers,
and panelboards
250 kcmil and larger
covered with insulation to provide
electrical isolation and physical protection of the
conductor material.
Conductors
determines the
environment in which a wire or cable can be used safely.
type of insulation material
are used as a
covering for electric wires.
Insulators like plastic and
rubber
may need to be adjusted with correction
factors when conditions related to the temperature of the
Surroundings and the number of conductors in a
raceway (e.g., conduit or cable) fall outside normal
operating ranges.
ampacity of a
conductor
Armored cable with conductors having thermoset insulation. 194°F (90°C) temperature rating.
ACHH
Armored cable with conductors having thermoplastic insulation. 167°F (75°C) temperature rating.
ACTH
Armored cable with conductors having thermoplastic insulation. 194°F (90°C) temperature rating
ACTHH
Non-metallic sheathed cable. 140°F (60°C) temperature rating. Approved for use in dry, interior residential wiring if properly
installed inside framed walls, floors, and ceilings. Not sunlight resistant.
NM
Underground feeder. 140°F (60°C) temperature rating. Generally not sunlight resistant, unless marked.
UF