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Home / Technical Articles / How to know if you set the correct current on a motor thermal overload relay

Start with full-load current…

The full-load current at a given voltage indicated on the nameplate is normative for setting the overload relay. Because of the variable voltages around the world, motors for pumps are made to be used at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz in a wide voltage range.

How do you know which current to set on a motor overload relay
How do you know which current to set on a motor overload relay (photo credit: Edvard CSANYI, EEP)

Therefore, a current range is indicated on the motor’s nameplate. The exact current capacity can be calculated when we know the voltage.

Motor thermal overload relay
Figure 1 – Motor thermal overload relay

Calculation example

When we know the precise voltage for the installation, the full-load current can be calculated at 254 Δ/440 Y V, 60 Hz. The data is indicated on the nameplate as shown on the illustration on below:

  • f = 60 Hz
  • U = 220-277 ∆/380 – 480 Y V
  • In = 5.70 – 5.00/3.30 – 2.90 A
The full-load current at a given voltage indicated on the nameplate is normative for setting the overload relay
Figure 1 – The full-load current at a given voltage indicated on the nameplate is normative for setting the overload relay

60 Hz data calculation:

  • Ua = actual voltage 254 ∆/440 Y V (actual voltage)
  • Umin = 220 ∆/380 Y V (Minimum values in the voltage range)
  • Umax = 277 ∆/480 Y V (Maximum values in the voltage range)
The voltage ratio is determined by the following equations:

UΔ = (UA – Umin) / (Umax – Umin)
which is in this case: UΔ = (254 – 220) / (227 – 220) = 0.6

UY = (UA – Umin) / (Umax – Umin)
which is in this case: UY = (440-380) / (480-380) = 0.6

So, UΔ = UY


Calculation of the actual full-load current (I)

Imin = 570/3.30 A
(Current values for Delta and Star at minimum voltages)

Imax = 500/2.90 A
(Current values for Delta and Star at maximum voltages)

Now, it is possible to calculate the full-load current by means of the first formula:

  • I for Delta values: 5.70 + (5.00 – 5.70) × 0.6 = 5.28 = 5.30 A
  • I for Star values: 3.30 + (2.90 – 3.30) × 0.6 = 3.06 = 3.10 A

The values for the full-load current correspond to the permissible full-load current of the motor at 254 ∆/440 Y V, 60 Hz.

Rule-of-thumb: The external motor overload relay is always set to the nominal current shown on the nameplate.

However if motors are designed with a service factor, which is then shown on the nameplate eg. 1.15, the set current for the overload relay can be raised by 15% compared to full-load current or to the service factor amps (SFA) which is normally indicated on the nameplate.

If the motor is connected in star = 440 V 60 Hz the overload relay then has to be set to 3.1 A.

Reference // The motor book by Grundfos

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author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

24 Comments


  1. Scott
    Aug 29, 2023

    Exactly the information I needed to understand how to PROPERLY set my thermal overload relay on a variety of 1-phase and 3-phase electric motors. The inclusion of accounting for motor Service Factors is especially important in the real world of electric motors. Thank you for authoring this article.


  2. Hagag jabir
    May 12, 2023

    Really,I need this excellent article


  3. Meta
    Nov 22, 2021

    Nice article


  4. Lydia Mbithi
    Oct 22, 2021

    5.7+(5.00-5.70)*0.6=5.28
    Where has this 0.6 come from and what is it?


  5. Lascelles Dacres
    Oct 03, 2021

    Good day
    I am happy to know I can get assistance on your site.
    I am doing a family portable water project….with a 230v 10 hp 50 amp motor for the pump.
    Can you tell me the best amp setting for the contactor overload.

    Regards
    L Dacres


  6. lammii befiqadu
    Sep 22, 2021

    thank for your cooperation and I m glad to see it. i will see for future partnership .


  7. Seidu Adams
    Mar 12, 2021

    How do I know the size of overload for a motor

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