Wiktor Wise
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps, which is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors. It is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval. RLA is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions and is stamped on the compressor by the manufacturer. It is not to be used to determine whether the compressor is running properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Rated Load Amps |
| Used for | Calculating the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions |
| Used by | Compressor manufacturers |
| Purpose | Getting Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval for a certain compressor motor |
| Calculation | MCA/1.56 or MCA/1.44 (MCA = Maximum Continuous Amps) |
| Other names | Running Load Amps |
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What You'll Learn
- Rated Load Amps (RLA) is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors
- RLA is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval
- RLA is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions
- RLA is the current drawn normally during the operation of an electric motor
- RLA is different from Full Load Amps (FLA)
Rated Load Amps (RLA) is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors
RLA is calculated by determining the Maximum Continuous Amps (MCA) or Maximum Continuous Current (MCC) that a compressor can handle before its protector (overload) opens or trips. Once the MCA or MCC is determined, UL states that this figure should be divided by 1.56 to obtain the RLA. However, some compressor manufacturers, such as Copeland and Carlyle, divide the MCA or MCC by 1.44 instead.
The RLA value is useful for determining the amperage draw that will cause the compressor overload to trip, as well as for establishing the appropriate fuse/circuit breaker size and wire size. Compressor manufacturers typically stamp the RLA on their compressors, and they also provide rating charts or performance curves that specify the correct amperage draw for the compressor under various operating conditions. These conditions include the evaporator temperature, condensing temperature, and line voltage.
It is important to note that RLA should not be confused with Full Load Amps (FLA), which is a rating for motors. RLA specifically applies to hermetic compressors and is used for sizing the circuit wiring, not for determining the running characteristics of the compressor.
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RLA is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps, or Rated Load Amperage. It is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors and is used to size the circuit wiring. RLA is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval.
In the context of electrical terms, RLA is a crucial factor in determining the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions. It is important to note that RLA is not the same as Full Load Amps (FLA). While FLA refers to the rating of the motor itself, RLA focuses on the load that the motor can handle. This distinction is important because it helps determine the appropriate wire size, overload protection, and motor starter devices needed to serve and protect the motor effectively.
To obtain UL approval for a compressor motor, manufacturers must perform a series of tests to determine the Maximum Continuous Amps (MCA) that the compressor can handle before the overload protection trips. Once the MCA is established, UL provides specific instructions on how to calculate the RLA. According to UL, the MCA should be divided by 1.56 to determine the RLA. However, some manufacturers, such as Copeland and Carlyle, use a different divisor (1.44) to calculate the RLA.
The RLA value is essential in determining the amperage at which the compressor overload will trip. It also helps establish the appropriate fuse/circuit breaker size and wire size for the compressor. By conducting these calculations, manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the necessary safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories.
In summary, RLA is a critical mathematical calculation in the electrical industry, particularly for compressor motors. By determining the RLA, manufacturers can ensure that their products comply with UL approval requirements, providing assurance that their compressors are safe and reliable for their intended applications.
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RLA is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps, which is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions. It is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors and is used for sizing the circuit wiring. RLA is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval.
RLA is different from Full Load Amps (FLA), which is a rating for motors. FLA refers to the motor's rated current at a rated load and rated voltage. This is the amount of current (in amps) the motor will draw from the electrical system when producing its rated output horsepower.
Compressor manufacturers will conduct many tests on a compressor motor to determine the maximum continuous current value the compressor motor can handle before its protector (overload) opens or trips, thus stopping the compressor. This maximum current value is referred to as the Maximum Continuous Amperage (MCA) or Maximum Continuous Current (MCC).
It is important to note that RLA is not the same as running load amps, which refers to the current drawn normally during the operation of an electric motor. RLA is also not an indication of the correct operating amperage of a compressor. Instead, it gives an indication of the load being placed on the compressor.
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RLA is the current drawn normally during the operation of an electric motor
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps, also referred to as Rated Load Amperage. It is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors and is used to size the circuit wiring. RLA is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval. It is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions.
In relation to electric motors, RLA is the current drawn during normal operation. It is the amount of current (amps) the motor draws from the electrical system when producing its rated output horsepower. This is also known as Running Amps, Rated Amps, or just Amps.
RLA is different from Full Load Amps (FLA), which refers to the motor's rated current at a rated load and rated voltage. FLA is a fixed number that will always be higher than RLA. RLA is also different from Locked Rotor Amps (LRA), which is the starting current drawn by an electric motor when it is first turned on. LRA is the current you can expect under starting conditions when you apply full voltage.
RLA is important because it gives an indication of the load being placed on the compressor. If the load exceeds the maximum amps allowed, the motor will overheat and may become damaged.
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RLA is different from Full Load Amps (FLA)
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps, which is a mathematical calculation required to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval. It is the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions. RLA is used to determine the fuse, circuit breaker size, and wire size.
FLA stands for Full Load Amps, which is the current a motor will draw when loaded to its full capacity, exerting its rated torque at rated slip speed. It is a rating for motors.
RLA is different from FLA in that RLA is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors, while FLA is a rating for motors. RLA is used to determine the fuse, circuit breaker size, and wire size, whereas FLA is used to size conductors. RLA is a mathematical calculation required for UL approval, whereas FLA is a rating for motors when they are loaded to their full capacity.
Furthermore, RLA is often mistakenly called Running Load Amps, which leads people to believe that the compressor should always pull these amps. However, the running amps of a compressor are determined by the evaporator temperature, condensing temperature, and line voltage. It is important to note that RLA should not be used to determine if a compressor is running properly or to condemn a compressor.
While RLA and FLA are different, they are both important electrical terms that have specific applications in the field of electricity and compressor or motor performance.
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Frequently asked questions
RLA stands for Rated Load Amps. It is a calculated rating for hermetic compressors and is used for sizing the circuit wiring.
RLA is calculated by dividing the Maximum Continuous Amps (MCA) by 1.56. The MCA is determined by the compressor manufacturer by conducting a series of tests.
FLA stands for Full Load Amps and refers to the rating of the motor. On the other hand, RLA refers to what the load uses. RLA is also used to determine the fuse/circuit breaker size and wire size.
RLA gives an indication of the load being placed on the compressor. It represents the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions. Exceeding the RLA can lead to overheating and damage to the motor.
