adjustment factor

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kimrichi

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why when adjusting ampicity because of ambient temprature or sum of current carrying conductor we use 90 c column with thhn or thwn insulation although the conductor we have might have different insulation
 

iwire

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Location
Massachusetts
why when adjusting ampicity because of ambient temprature or sum of current carrying conductor we use 90 c column with thhn or thwn insulation although the conductor we have might have different insulation

We don't use a temp rating hire than the conductor rating. If you where to use TW for instance you would be stuck with the 60 column.

What we do is uses THHN and the 90 C column to derate even when we have just 60 or 75 C terminals.
 

hardworkingstiff

Senior Member
Location
Wilmington, NC
Pretty much most of the conductors you purchase will have a 90C rating. If you happen to have a 60 or 75C rated conductor you need to use that column at the start of your calculations.
 

infinity

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Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
For THHN/THWN you would use the 75? C ampacity in a wet location unless the conductor were also marked THWN-2.
 

jaggedben

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Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
why when adjusting ampicity because of ambient temprature or sum of current carrying conductor we use 90 c column with thhn or thwn insulation although the conductor we have might have different insulation

Strictly speaking you only use the 90C column if the wire is THHN-2 or THWN-2, or something else with '-2' at the end, or something else that otherwise appears in the 90C column.

Hardworkingstiff is right that nowadays most stuff you will find to buy is rated for 90C.
 

gndrod

Senior Member
Location
Ca and Wa
why when adjusting ampicity because of ambient temprature or sum of current carrying conductor we use 90 c column with thhn or thwn insulation although the conductor we have might have different insulation

Conductor ampacity factoring affected by the bundling and temperature conditions can be more comprehensible by referencing the cable(wire) insulation applications initially. Table 310.13 [2005 & 08] or Table 310.104[2011].
Selecting the distinct insulation type application range in those Tables is the key to the ampacity (wet-dry-temp) adjustments needed.

Note that NM and SER/SEU cabling, not found in the (T 310), is rated at 60c, but the cable conductor wiring is actually 90c rated.
 
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mike1061

Senior Member
Location
Chicago
For THHN/THWN you would use the 75? C ampacity in a wet location unless the conductor were also marked THWN-2.

Can I ask why? Why does wet location change the de-rating column?
Also, I'm pretty sure THWN is rated for wet locations I was told that is what the "W" stood for. So if it is rated for wet locations why would you have to de-rate from a lower column?
Thanks Mike
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Strictly speaking you only use the 90C column if the wire is THHN-2 or THWN-2, or something else with '-2' at the end, or something else that otherwise appears in the 90C column. ...
That only applies if you are using the conductors in a wet location. THHN without the -2 is suitable for 90?C use in dry locations.
 

don_resqcapt19

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Location
Illinois
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retired electrician
Can I ask why? Why does wet location change the de-rating column?
Also, I'm pretty sure THWN is rated for wet locations I was told that is what the "W" stood for. So if it is rated for wet locations why would you have to de-rate from a lower column?
Thanks Mike
The THWN without the -2 is listed for 75?C in wet locations and 90?C in dry locations. See Table 310.13(A) in the 2008 code or 310.104(A) in the 2011.
 

George Stolz

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Staff member
Location
Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
Occupation
Service Manager
Don, I think he was asking why there is a different temp for wet and dry on the same wire. It's a good question, I've not looked into that before.

ETA: Sorry, I see he was asking two questions - but the other one has me interested. :)
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Like Don said look at the headings in T310.16.

The 75 deg column includes THWN the 90 deg column does not. The 90 deg column does incude THWN-2.

Most of conductor sold today has multiple ratings and usually includes THWN-2 in the rating. People don't even realize they are calculating wrong yet their result is correct because they were not actually wrong. (If that makes any sense)
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Same situation with THHW. 75? wet, 90? dry.

Reality in most cases is conductors have multiple ratings marked on them and there is a good chance you have a 90 degree conductor in most cases anymore wet or dry. But you do need to check to make sure. I think this is mostly because that is what installers are demanding from suppliers so that is what they usually are going to stock.
 

gndrod

Senior Member
Location
Ca and Wa
derating is not wet or dry

derating is not wet or dry

Can I ask why? Why does wet location change the de-rating column?
Also, I'm pretty sure THWN is rated for wet locations I was told that is what the "W" stood for. So if it is rated for wet locations why would you have to de-rate from a lower column?
Thanks Mike

A wet location does not change the derating (adjustment) column. The 90c column is the ampacity factoring line for conductor amp adjustments needed to compensate for bundling and ambient corrections for wiring insulation rated at 90c.
Any insulation rated for less than 90c must have a conductor re-sizing depending on the temperature operating conditions. If the insulation is not rated for 75c or more then the 60c column is used.

The wet or dry condition actually dictates the conductor insulation type suited for particular locations. (I.e. In Chicago, emt inside a structure would normally be dry compared to the same emt outside which would likely be determined as a wet location.)

Again, location can accept either 60, 75, or 90c rated conductors as long as the insulation type is rated for the wet or dry ambient location.
 

gndrod

Senior Member
Location
Ca and Wa
insulation

insulation

why when adjusting ampicity because of ambient temprature or sum of current carrying conductor we use 90 c column with thhn or thwn insulation although the conductor we have might have different insulation

The question may be reworded to get a better answer. Thhn or thwn insulation does not have a different 90c insulation rating as other type insulations do. See above response.
 
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