FLA vs. FLC - What's the Difference?

None.

Will request you guys to think twice before raising such sily question.

Mr Das

Mind your knowledge then comments in such manner.Go deep in electrical field then you will find your self in Dark ....there are difference in FLA & FLC ?

This factor depend on Service factor of motor but I want to know more in detail so don`t pass such stupid comment!!!!!

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Mr Guest come in forum with a proper identity, first!!!. tell us how it differs? ofcourse your explanation should be supported by international standards, not something fabricated by yourself.

Mr. Das,

That is not a silly question. There is actually a difference between FLA and FLC. FLA is the current rating of the motor that you see on the nameplate while FLC is the current rating of the motor that you can find in the table of National Electrical Code. FLA (nameplate rating) is used in calculating the rating of thermal overload protection while FLC (NEC table rating) is used for calculating the rating of conductor and over-current protective device. These current values are not equal as you can see if you check the table in the NEC and compare it with an actual motor nameplate.

Tadaqids,

Basically I don't see any different in definition, both constrain in the term of magnitude current when motor at full speed full power. Refer to manufacturer laboratory test, the FLA value got at full top of voltage tolerance level with SF:1.0.

But you'd better try to explore in various international standards such as IEC, NEMA, NEC, etc. if you're still curious.

In English language the phrase Full Load Amps is not proper grammar, because Amps is unit of measurement.

Current is the subject matter and therefore the statement Full Load Current is the correct grammar.

To me they mean exactly the same thing.

A and C, or amp and current. Take your pick.

Both terms were used in previous editions of the National Electric Code. This caused some people to make assumptions that there is a difference. The 2005 edition has eleiminated the FLA trem in favor of FLC. -- JHF

The difference is quite apparent even to the most casual observer.

The difference between FLA and FLC is only one letter, A or C?

FLA = French Laughing around

FLC = French Laughing Clowns.......

good explanation...

Actually there is a "difference" but it is only semantic based upon whether you have previously defined the unit of measurement in a query. For example lets say you asked for the maximum current draw of a motor:

When you want to say "The maximum current draw of that motor is ..." then a correct semantic iteration could be "17 FLA", but to say "17 FLC" would be incorrect. Current is an as-yet undefined quantity, you are not defining it until you add the word "Amp" somewhere. As a test, what if it were a micro-motor? The question is still valid as stated because the unit of measurement was left open ended. So the answer could just have easily been "17ma".

On the other hand, if you wanted to say "The maximum Amp draw of that motor is ..." the answer could only be 17 (or .017), because you have already defined the unit of measurement earlier in the setence by saying "Amp".

Lastly, if you asked for the current RATING of the motor, then either answer would be correct, depending only upon what was on the nameplate or whatever convention you chose to use. 17FLA or 17FLC become synonymous.

However as a side note in that query, an answer of 17, or 17A or 17ma would technically not be correct because a quantitative statement was left out! I didn't say "maximum" or "full" or anything else. It too was open ended. But by answering FL(A or C), you are defining the value in the answer as being "Full Load".

I guess FLA means full load ampacity when motor is running at 100% load on test bench with all rated condition and accordingly specified on name plate.

While in operation, motor is driving compressor with capacity control mechanism. When compressor is operating at 100% load, respective current can be identified as FLC. On the other hand, when compressor is operating at 50% capacity, respective current can be identified as 50% load current and at last, when compressor is on no load, current can be identified as no load current.

I think your question is answered.

Dear Guest, you can also ask question like what is difference between NLA and NLC?

As a power system design engineer for 20 years I have come to believe there is a difference as percieved by those who use the NEC and other standards on a regular basis. This is not to say it is fact or approved by Websters dictionary, but rather the "working difference". FLC or Full Load Current is typically used when dealing with the theoretical capacity of a motor, whereas FLA or Full Load Amps is used to describe the actual known capacity of a particular motor. Thus system designers tend to use the FLC to size and design cables, overcurrent devices, switches, etc, whereas those who have a motor in their possession (plant engineers, electricians, etc) tend to work with FLA, because it is right on the nameplate of the motor in question. When sizing electrical systems FLC is considered proper methodology as it generally covers all motors of a given HP. Since one motor design has differnent losses than the next design, two motors of the same HP rating may in fact have a different FLA rating. And as we all know motors don't last forever. The next one put in may have a slightly higher FLA. So it is good practice to use the FLC tables from the NEC when sizing.

Again, this is not concrete, just years of experience and observation. I hope this helps.

^ I agree

Full load amps has to do with the maximum running amps at a specific voltage....current has to do with the maximum wattage at full load...

If the voltage is 220v and the amps is 10, then the watts is amps times volts...now this could be single phase or three phase, but the current is the total electricity being used and the amps is the maximum load on the wire for design use....

Table FLC versus motor nameplate current rating (FLA). The motor full-load current ratings listed in Tables 430.247, 430.248, and 430.250 are used to determine:

• Conductor ampacity [430.22].
• Branch circuit short circuit and ground fault overcurrent device size [430.52 and 430.62].
• Ampere rating of disconnecting switches [430.110].

The table selected for this purpose depends on the type of motor being used. The correct full-load current (FLC) is selected from:

• Table 430.247 direct current motors
• Table 430.248 single-phase motors
• Table 430.250 3-phase motors

However, for some specific types of motors, the actual nameplate full-load amperes (FLA) must be used instead of the FLC (see FLA vs. FLC).

Use the nameplate FLA when sizing conductors, branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protection, and disconnecting switches for:

• Motors built to operate under 1,200 rpm.
• Motors that have high torques (and thus higher FLCs).
• Multispeed motors (FLC varies with speed).
• A listed motor-operated appliance.

Also, use the nameplate FLA for sizing of separate motor overload protection [430.6(A)(2)].

https://www.ecmweb.com/national-electrical-code/code-basics/article/20897366/motors-and-the-nec#:~:text=The%20nameplate%20full%2Dload%20ampere,rated%20efficiency%20and%20power%20factor.&text=The%20full%2Dload%20current%20(FLC,430.