What adjustment must be made to ampacity for conductors carrying current in a conduit?

When conductors are installed in a conduit, it's essential to consider the number of conductors present because this can significantly affect the overall ampacity, or carrying capacity, of the conductors due to increased heat buildup.

When multiple conductors are bundled together, they can generate more heat than a single conductor would on its own, which can lead to reduced efficiency and potential overheating. The National Electrical Code (NEC) provides guidelines that necessitate adjustments based on the number of conductors, where derating factors are used to calculate the appropriate ampacity for the group of conductors.

These adjustments are crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency in electrical installations. Therefore, it is essential to reference the appropriate tables in the NEC to determine the correct adjustment to the ampacity when multiple conductors are present in a single conduit.