Motor Control Panel Load Chart

Use this worksheet after the calculator result to record largest motor contribution, simultaneous motor load, control transformer load, non-motor load, required feeder ampacity, planned ampacity, equivalent kVA, SCCR, and panel equipment notes.

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Quick reference table

A motor control panel load chart is a calculator-led planning screen for feeder loading and panel coordination. It documents the largest motor, other simultaneous motors, control transformer and coil loads, continuous and noncontinuous loads, spare capacity, planned feeder ampacity, SCCR notes, manufacturer data, utility context when applicable, and AHJ requirements before equipment selection.

Motor control panel load worksheet

Motor control panel load worksheet
Load group	Record from calculator	Check before the next decision
Largest motor	Largest motor contribution	Confirm motor FLC basis, duty, and largest-motor rule used
Other motors	Other simultaneous motor contribution	Confirm which motors can run together
Control loads	Control transformer, coils, PLC, heater, or receptacle load	Confirm VA, duty, and transformer sizing path
Continuous loads	Continuous non-motor contribution	Confirm duty, grouping, and spare-capacity assumption
Feeder result	Required and planned ampacity, equivalent kVA	Check conductor, breaker, panel, and upstream capacity

Panel items outside the simple feeder total

Panel items outside the simple feeder total
Panel item	Document on the worksheet	Why it needs a separate check
SCCR	Available fault current and equipment SCCR	Feeder ampacity does not establish short-circuit current rating
Control transformer	Primary VA, secondary VA, fuse, and coil load	Control power can be small in amps but critical to panel operation
Branch protection	Individual motor and non-motor branch devices	Panel feeder load does not choose each branch device
Enclosure and heat	Ambient, enclosure type, VFD heat, and ventilation	Thermal limits can govern even when ampacity looks acceptable
Listing and nameplate	Panel listing, field labels, manufacturer data	Listed equipment conditions can control allowed changes

Formula basis

Required feeder ampacity = largest motor contribution + other simultaneous motor contribution + continuous non-motor contribution + noncontinuous non-motor contribution.

Largest motor contribution is the calculator contribution for the largest motor branch in the panel.
Other simultaneous motor contribution is the remaining motor FLC contribution that operates at the same time.
Control transformer, coil, PLC, heater, and auxiliary loads belong in non-motor load groups when they are part of the panel load.
Planned ampacity, equivalent kVA, SCCR, and spare capacity are comparison values before equipment selection.

Worked examples

Three-pump skid panelA skid panel with one lead pump, one lag pump, and one standby pump should record simultaneous operation assumptions so the calculator result does not treat every motor as running at once unless that is the actual sequence.

Panel with control transformer loadA control transformer, contactor coils, PLC supply, cabinet heater, and convenience receptacle may be small beside the motors, but the worksheet keeps those loads visible before feeder and panel equipment are selected.

Assumptions. Balanced load and line-to-line voltage assumptions behind this chart.

The worksheet is a feeder ampacity screen and does not choose branch protection, SCCR, conductors, enclosure construction, or panel components.
Actual panel design depends on equipment listing, available fault current, enclosure heat, simultaneous loads, control power, manufacturer data, and field labeling.
Utility service constraints, adopted NEC requirements, and AHJ interpretation can affect feeder, SCCR, and panel acceptance.

Code and standard notes. Planning limits that should be checked before final equipment selection.

Verify the adopted NEC edition, equipment SCCR, panel listing, manufacturer instructions, conductor and breaker requirements, available fault current, utility requirements when applicable, and AHJ requirements before final design decisions.
Use this chart as a planning worksheet; feeder ampacity, branch protection, conductor selection, SCCR, control transformer sizing, enclosure heat, and panel construction are separate checks.

How to use this chart

1Group the loadsKeep largest motor, other simultaneous motors, control transformer loads, continuous loads, and noncontinuous loads separated as shown in the calculator result.

2Compare required and plannedRecord required feeder ampacity beside planned feeder ampacity so spare capacity, equivalent kVA, and design margin are visible.

3Route equipment checksUse the worksheet to decide which conductor, breaker, branch protection, SCCR, enclosure, control power, manufacturer, utility, and AHJ checks must happen next.

Worksheet checklist. Record source basis, review gaps, and assumptions before using the chart result.

Capture motor contributionWrite largest motor contribution, other motor contribution, motor FLC source, and simultaneous-operation assumptions.
Capture auxiliary loadsDocument control transformer VA, coil loads, PLC power, cabinet heater, receptacle load, continuous load, noncontinuous load, and spare-capacity adder.
Capture panel checksRecord required ampacity, planned ampacity, equivalent kVA, SCCR notes, available fault current, and next checks for conductor, breaker, enclosure, and panel equipment.

Common mistakes to avoid. Review these before turning chart current into an equipment decision.

Treating the feeder ampacity screen as a complete motor control panel design without SCCR, listing, and equipment checks.
Combining all motor and non-motor loads into one total without preserving largest-motor and simultaneous-load contributions.
Leaving control transformer, coil, heater, PLC, or receptacle loads out of the panel record because they are small compared with motor current.

Frequently asked questions

These answers explain how to use the chart without turning a quick reference into a final design decision.

Does this chart select the panel breaker?

No. It documents the feeder load result. Breaker selection, conductor sizing, SCCR, and branch protection need separate equipment checks.

Why show control transformer load beside motor load?

Control power often looks small compared with motor current, but transformer VA, coil load, fuse selection, and panel operation still need to be documented.