Calculate the overload size for a 230 Volt, single phase, 3 HP motor with a rating of 14 Amps.

To calculate the overload size for a given motor, you typically use the formula that considers the motor's full-load current. In this case, the motor's rating is 14 Amps. For overload protection sizing, the National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends that the overload protection be set between 125% to 150% of the motor's full-load current for standard motors.

In this instance, we calculate 125% of the motor's current:

1. Calculate 125% of the rated full-load current:

[

14 \text{ Amps} \times 1.25 = 17.5 \text{ Amps}

]

This value, 17.5 Amps, serves as a guideline for the overload protection setting, as it is designed to prevent the motor from overheating while allowing for brief overload conditions, like startup surges.

Given this calculation, the correct answer for the overload size should reflect this protection requirement and therefore aligns with the 17.5 value. While determining overload size, it's essential to evaluate that it can handle the demands of the motor during normal operations.

The option of 16.1 does not appropriately reflect the 125% guideline recommended by the NEC