What does full-load amps on a motor nameplate indicate?

What does full-load amps on a motor nameplate indicate?

• A. The current drawn by the motor at no load.
• B. The current drawn by the motor during startup.
• C. The current the motor draws when delivering its rated horsepower at rated voltage.
• D. The maximum current allowed in the circuit.

Answer: (C)

Full-load amps show how much current the motor needs when it is delivering its rated horsepower at the rated voltage. This is the running current the motor draws under its full-load operating condition, after accounting for losses as reflected by efficiency and power factor. It’s the current the electrical system must supply continuously when the motor is working at its designed capacity, which is why the nameplate lists this value for sizing wires and protective devices. This isn’t the current at no load (that would be much smaller), nor the startup (inrush) current (typically higher during startup), and it isn’t the maximum circuit current—just the running current at full load.

Full-load amps show how much current the motor needs when it is delivering its rated horsepower at the rated voltage. This is the running current the motor draws under its full-load operating condition, after accounting for losses as reflected by efficiency and power factor. It’s the current the electrical system must supply continuously when the motor is working at its designed capacity, which is why the nameplate lists this value for sizing wires and protective devices.

This isn’t the current at no load (that would be much smaller), nor the startup (inrush) current (typically higher during startup), and it isn’t the maximum circuit current—just the running current at full load.