430.53(D)(4) Single Motor Taps.
Code Change Summary: A new subsection was added to address motor branch circuit taps up to 25 feet.
Section 430.53 provides rules on supplying more than one motor, or a motor and other loads from the same branch circuit. In order to do this properly and in a code compliant manner, the requirements in 430.53(A-D) must be followed.
Section 430.53(D) provides rules on single motor tap connections to the common branch circuit. According to 240.2, a tap conductor is “a conductor, other than a service conductor, that has overcurrent protection ahead of its point of supply that exceeds the value permitted for similar conductors that are protected as described elsewhere in 240.4”.
When the requirements in 430.53(D) are correctly followed, tap conductors supplying a single motor are not required to have individual branch-circuit, short-circuit and ground-fault protection.
In the 2014 NEC®, section 430.53(D)(3) provided rules for making a 10 foot tap from the branch circuit to a listed manual motor controller additionally marked “Suitable for Tap Conductor Protection in Group Installations” or to another branch-circuit protective device.
In the 2017 NEC®, similar language was added in 430.53(D)(4) and provides rules for making up to a 25 foot tap from the branch circuit. This new addition aligns with similar 25-foot tap rules found in 430.28.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
430.53(D) Single Motor Taps.
(4) Conductors from the point of the tap from the branch circuit to a listed manual motor controller additionally marked “Suitable for Tap Conductor Protection in Group Installations,” or to a branch-circuit protective device, shall be permitted to have an ampacity not less than one third that of the branch-circuit conductors. The conductors from the controller to the motor shall have an ampacity in accordance with 430.22. The conductors from the point of the tap to the controller(s) shall (1) be suitably protected from physical damage and enclosed either by an enclosed controller or by a raceway and be not more than 7.5 m (25 ft) long or (2) have an ampacity not less than that of the branch-circuit conductors.