14. BRANCH-CIRCUIT SELECTION CURRENT
The nameplate on a unit that includes a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor may show
branch-circuit selection current for the motor-compressor in accordance with NEC® Section
440.4(C). This rating may be identified by a suitable abbreviation and will always be equal to or
higher than the motor-compressor RLA rating marked on the unit nameplate. The branch-circuit
selection current rating for the motor-compressor is to be used instead of the rated-load amperes
in determining appropriate ratings for externally mounted controllers and disconnecting means,
branch-circuit conductors, and short-circuit and ground-fault protective devices for these
conductors. A branch-circuit selection current rating is always included on the unit nameplate if
the motor-compressor’s thermal protector or the protective system built into the unit permits a
continuous current flow greater than 156 percent of the rated-load current for the motorcompressor,
or the single overall ampere rating for the unit marked on the unit nameplate (see
“Electrical Load Ratings”).