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NEC Article 440 — Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment

Updated Mar 26, 2026
Wiring and overcurrent protection for motor-driven HVAC equipment: condensing units, compressors.

NEC 440: motor-compressor circuits. 440.4 nameplate data required: rated-load current (RLA), locked-rotor current (LRA), branch-circuit selection current (BCSC). Conductor sizing: 440.32 per BCSC (not RLA). Overcurrent protection: 440.22 max 175% of RLA for HACR breaker (or per nameplate MCA — minimum circuit ampacity). Disconnect: 440.14 within sight of equipment, rated for locked-rotor current (or HACR rated). Short-circuit protection: per nameplate MOCP (maximum overcurrent protection). Multi-motor equipment: treat as single motor-compressor per nameplate. Common: outdoor condensing unit nameplate says MCA=25A, MOCP=40A → use 10 AWG conductors, 40A breaker.

TAGS
NECHVACair-conditioningcompressormotorrefrigeration
DETAILS
code year
2023
code section
Article 440
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