Why are the section numbers different between the 2017 and 2023 NEC?

The 2023 edition renumbered Part XI. The 2017 sections 430.221-430.227 (seven sections) became 430.201-430.208 (eight sections) in 2023. The first three shifted by -20 (430.221->430.201, 430.222->430.202, 430.223->430.203); a NEW 430.204 (wire-bending space) was inserted; and the remaining four shifted by -19 (430.224->430.205, 430.225->430.206, 430.226->430.207, 430.227->430.208). The renumber landed in the 2023 edition (verified: the 2020 NEC still carried 430.221-430.227, and the NFPA 2021-cycle Second Revisions already target the new 430.205/430.208 numbers).

What are the substantive (not just renumber) changes 2017 to 2023?

Four real changes, all verified against the on-disk text: (1) NEW 430.204 — motor controllers rated over 1000 V shall provide wire-bending space for conductors installed per 305.5 (no counterpart in 2017). (2) 430.205 — the 2017 single-sentence 430.224 became a restructured section: a new lead-in ('per 315.60 or 430.205(A) and (B)'), (A) the rephrased conductor rule ('sized not less than the current trip setting'), and NEW (B) for adjustable-speed drives at 125% of rated input current. (3) 430.206(A) — two NEW sentences route adjustable-speed drive systems over 1000 V to 430.124 and 430.126, and send all other motors to 430.206(B)-(C). (4) 430.208 — the 2017 lockable-only 430.227 was expanded to require a switch or circuit breaker with a voltage rating not less than the circuit, lockable per 110.25, and a current rating not less than 100% of the motor FLC (or 100% of the drive's rated input current for adjustable-speed drives).

How are the conductors for an over-1000-V motor sized?

Per 430.205(A) (2023) / 430.224 (2017), conductors supplying the motor shall have an ampacity not less than the current at which the motor overload protective device(s) is selected to trip (2017 wording) / shall be sized not less than the current trip setting of the motor overload protective device(s) (2023 wording). This is the key Part XI departure from Part I: you size from the OVERLOAD DEVICE SETTING, not from 125% of the motor full-load current. For an adjustable-speed drive over 1000 V, 430.205(B) (2023) sizes the conductors supplying the power conversion equipment at not less than 125% of the drive's rated input current.

What rating does the over-1000-V disconnect need?

In 2017 (430.227) the only requirement was that the controller disconnecting means be lockable in accordance with 110.25. In 2023 (430.208) it must additionally be a switch or circuit breaker having a voltage rating not less than that of the circuit involved, and have a current rating not less than 100 percent of the full-load current rating of the motor (or 100 percent of the rated input current of the power conversion equipment for adjustable-speed drives). Separately, 430.207 (2023) / 430.226 (2017) cap the ultimate trip current of the overcurrent (overload) relays at 115 percent of the motor controller's continuous current rating, and require a separate branch-circuit disconnect to be rated not less than the relays' ultimate trip setting.

NEC Part XI — Over 1000 Volts, Nominal (430.221–430.227 in 2017, 430.201–430.208 in 2023): the MV motor-circuit code that got renumbered

Q: What is Part XI of Article 430, and why is it separate?

Part XI ('Over 1000 Volts, Nominal') is the set of NEC provisions that ADD TO or AMEND the rest of Article 430 for motor circuits rated over 1000 V, nominal. Its governing sentence (430.201 in 2023, 430.221 in 2017 — word-identical): 'Part XI recognizes the additional hazard due to the use of higher voltages. It adds to or amends the other provisions of this article.' It is a delta, not a standalone code: for a medium-voltage motor you still apply Parts I-IX, then layer the Part XI amendments on top where they change the answer.

What Part XI is (and the renumber that trips people up)

Articles 38–44 of this series covered the low-voltage motor circuit and the controller: conductors and branch protection (430.22/430.52), overload (430.32/430.36), control circuits (430.72/430.75), the controller device (Part VII), the disconnect (Part IX), motor control centers (Part VIII), and VFD-fed motors (Part X). Part XI is what happens when the motor itself is rated over 1000 volts, nominal — medium-voltage (MV) motors. Its governing sentence is the same in both editions:

Part XI recognizes the additional hazard due to the use of higher voltages. It adds to or amends the other provisions of this article.

Source: NEC 2017 (430.221, verbatim) and 2023 (430.201, verbatim) — word-identical. Part XI is a delta: for an MV motor you apply Parts I–IX first, then layer these amendments on top where they change the answer.

The one thing that will confuse you if you're holding a 2017 code and a 2023 code at the same time: the section numbers are different. Part XI is the one part of Article 430 that the 2023 cycle renumbered. In 2017 it is 430.221–430.227 (seven sections). In 2023 it is 430.201–430.208 (eight sections). The rest of Article 430 kept its numbers across the two editions; Part XI moved down into the 430.20x block and gained a section. That renumber — and the small number of real content changes that came with it — is the whole point of this article.

The renumber map (the centerpiece)

Every 2017 Part XI section and where it lands in 2023. "Verbatim" means the body text is character-identical after the disclosed OCR corrections and the minor "controller" → "motor controller" rename the 2023 cycle applied throughout; "rephrased" and "expanded" are called out and shown below.

2017	Title (2017)	2023	Title (2023)	Change
430.221	General	430.201	General	Verbatim (−20)
430.222	Marking on Controllers	430.202	Marking on Controllers	"controller" → "motor controller" (−20)
430.223	Raceway Connection to Motors	430.203	Raceway Connection to Motors	Verbatim (−20)
—	—	430.204	Wire-Bending Space	NEW in 2023
430.224	Size of Conductors	430.205	Size of Conductors	Restructured: new lead-in + (A) rephrase + NEW (B) drive rule (−19)
430.225	Motor-Circuit Overcurrent Protection	430.206	Motor-Circuit Overcurrent Protection	Expanded: NEW (A) AS-drive scope sentences (−19)
430.226	Rating of Motor Control Apparatus	430.207	Rating of Motor Control Apparatus	"controller's" → "motor controller's" (−19)
430.227	Disconnecting Means	430.208	Disconnecting Means	Expanded: switch/CB + voltage rating + 100% current rating (−19)

The shift is not uniform because 430.204 is a brand-new section inserted between the 2017 430.223 and 430.224. So 430.221/222/223 move by −20, then the new 430.204 takes a slot, and 430.224/225/226/227 move by −19 into 430.205/206/207/208. If you're quoting "430.227" from a 2017 code to someone reading a 2023 code, the correct cross-reference is 430.208.

430.221 / 430.201 — General

Part XI recognizes the additional hazard due to the use of higher voltages. It adds to or amends the other provisions of this article.

Source: NEC 2017 (430.221) and 2023 (430.201), verbatim and word-identical. This is the "delta, not a standalone code" sentence — Parts I–IX still apply; Part XI only amends where it speaks.

430.222 / 430.202 — Marking on Controllers

In addition to the marking required by 430.8, a motor controller shall be marked with the control voltage.

2023 (430.202, verbatim). 2017 (430.222) is identical except it reads "a controller shall be marked…" — the 2023 cycle renamed "controller" to "motor controller" in Part XI to disambiguate from control-circuit equipment. The rule (mark the control voltage, on top of the 430.8 nameplate) is unchanged.

430.223 / 430.203 — Raceway Connection to Motors

Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible metal conduit not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length shall be permitted to be employed for raceway connection to a motor terminal enclosure.

Source: NEC 2017 (430.223) and 2023 (430.203), verbatim and word-identical. The 6-ft flex limit to the MV motor terminal box is unchanged. (In 430.202 the same "motor controller" rename does not appear here — this section has no "controller" to rename.)

430.204 — Wire-Bending Space NEW in 2023

NEW — in 2023, not in 2017 Motor controllers rated over 1000 volts shall provide wire-bending space within the enclosure for conductors installed in accordance with 305.5.

Source: 2023 (on-disk NEC CSV, verbatim). There is no 430.204 in the 2017 code (verified: the 2017 Part XI goes 430.221→430.222→430.223→430.224 with no wire-bending section). This is the section that pushes the renumber off by one: its insertion is why 430.224 becomes 430.205 (−19) rather than 430.204 (−20). It extends the high-voltage conductor-termination discipline of 305.5 (high-voltage wire bending spaces) into the motor controller enclosure itself.

430.224 / 430.205 — Size of Conductors (restructured in 2023)

2017 (430.224) — one sentence

Conductors supplying motors shall have an ampacity not less than the current at which the motor overload protective device(s) is selected to trip.

Source: NEC 2017 (430.224), verbatim. The single Part XI conductor rule: size from the OVERLOAD DEVICE SETTING, not from 125% of the motor FLC (which is the Part I rule, 430.22). This is the headline departure from the low-voltage world.

2023 (430.205) — lead-in + (A) rephrase + NEW (B)

The ampacities of conductors supplying equipment rated over 1000 volts, nominal, shall be determined in accordance with 315.60 or 430.205(A) and (B).

2023 lead-in (verbatim). New in 2023: it first points to 315.60 (high-voltage equipment conductor sizing) and then to its own (A)/(B). The 2017 code had no such lead-in.

(A) Conductors supplying motors shall be sized not less than the current trip setting of the motor overload protective device(s).

2023 (A) (verbatim). Same rule as 2017's 430.224, rephrased: "shall have an ampacity not less than the current at which … is selected to trip" (2017) → "shall be sized not less than the current trip setting of …" (2023). The governing quantity — the overload device's trip setting — is unchanged.

(B) NEW — in 2023, not in 2017 For an adjustable-speed drive system, the conductors supplying the power conversion equipment shall have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the rated input current to the power conversion equipment.

2023 (B) (verbatim). New in 2023, and it is the Part XI mirror of 430.122(A) in Part X: size the conductors feeding an over-1000-V drive from the drive's nameplate rated input current at 125%, not from the motor FLC. No 2017 counterpart (the 2017 430.224 had no drive provision).

430.225 / 430.206 — Motor-Circuit Overcurrent Protection (expanded in 2023)

(A) General — coordinated protection + the 2023 AS-drive scope

Each motor circuit shall include coordinated protection to automatically interrupt overload and fault currents in the motor, the motor-circuit conductors, and the motor control apparatus.

Core sentence: 2017 (430.225(A)) and 2023 (430.206(A)) carry it word-for-word. 2017 OCR read "the motorcircuit conductors" (no space) — a scan artifact, not a real text difference; the 2023 CSV prints "motor-circuit". The Exception is identical in both: where the motor is critical to an operation and should be allowed to operate to failure, the sensing device may be connected to a supervised annunciator or alarm instead of interrupting the circuit (2017 OCR "shail" = "shall").

NEW — in 2023, not in 2017 Adjustable-speed drive systems with input or output voltages over 1000 volts, nominal, shall comply with 430.124 and 430.126. All other motors shall comply with 430.206(B) through (C).

2023 (430.206(A)) (verbatim). Two NEW sentences that do not exist in the 2017 430.225(A). They route an over-1000-V adjustable-speed drive to Part X's overload (430.124) and overtemperature (430.126) provisions, and send every non-drive motor to 430.206(B)-(C) below. This is the hook that connects Part XI back to Part X for MV drives.

(B) Overload Protection (430.206(B)(1)–(4) = 2017 430.225(B)(1)–(4))

(1) Each motor shall be protected against dangerous heating due to motor overloads and failure to start by a thermal protector integral with the motor or external current-sensing devices, or both. Protective device settings for each motor circuit shall be determined under engineering supervision.

(2) The secondary circuits of wound-rotor ac motors, including conductors, motor controllers, and resistors rated for the application, shall be considered as protected against overcurrent by the motor overload protection means.

(3) Operation of the overload interrupting device shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors.

(4) Overload sensing devices shall not automatically reset after trip unless resetting of the overload sensing device does not cause automatic restarting of the motor or there is no hazard to persons created by automatic restarting of the motor and its connected machinery.

2023 (430.206(B)(1)–(4), verbatim). Word-identical to the 2017 430.225(B)(1)–(4) except the (B)(2) "controllers" → "motor controllers" rename. Note (B)(3) in the 2017 scan is printed with a doubled "Operation, Operation of…" — a scan typo, not a real difference. (B)(4) (no automatic reset unless no hazard) is identical in both editions, character for character.

(C) Fault-Current Protection (430.206(C)(1)–(3) = 2017 430.225(C)(1)–(3))

(1) Fault-current protection shall be provided in each motor circuit as specified by either 430.206(C)(1) (a) or (C)(1)(b). (a) A circuit breaker of suitable type and rating arranged so that it can be serviced without hazard. The circuit breaker shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors. The circuit breaker shall be permitted to sense the fault current by means of integral or external sensing elements. (b) Fuses of a suitable type and rating placed in each ungrounded conductor. Fuses shall be used with suitable disconnecting means, or they shall be of a type that can also serve as the disconnecting means. They shall be arranged so that they cannot be serviced while they are energized.

(2) Fault-current interrupting devices shall not automatically reclose the circuit. Exception: Automatic reclosing of a circuit shall be permitted where the circuit is exposed to transient faults and where such automatic reclosing does not create a hazard to persons.

(3) Overload protection and fault-current protection shall be permitted to be provided by the same device.

2023 (430.206(C)(1)–(3), verbatim). Same two permitted fault-current devices (servicable breaker, or fuses that can't be serviced energized), the reclosing prohibition with its transient-fault Exception, and the combination-protection allowance. 2017 (430.225(C)(1)) referenced itself as "either (1) (a) or (1) (b)" with a broken "Acircuit" OCR and no space; the 2023 self-reference is cleaned to "430.206(C)(1) (a) or (C)(1)(b)". Rule substance unchanged.

430.226 / 430.207 — Rating of Motor Control Apparatus

The ultimate trip current of overcurrent (overload) relays or other motor-protective devices used shall not exceed 115 percent of the motor controller's continuous current rating. Where the motor branch-circuit disconnecting means is separate from the motor controller, the disconnecting means current rating shall not be less than the ultimate trip setting of the overcurrent relays in the circuit.

2023 (430.207, verbatim). Same rule as 2017's 430.226, with the "controller's" → "motor controller's" rename (the 2017 scan read "controller's" with a curly apostrophe and "shali not be less" OCR = "shall"). The 115% cap on the ultimate relay trip current (relative to the controller's continuous rating) and the separate-disconnect-must-meet-the-trip-setting rule are unchanged.

430.227 / 430.208 — Disconnecting Means (expanded in 2023)

2017 (430.227) — lockability only

The controller disconnecting means shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25.

2017 (430.227), verbatim (the scan printed "shail be lockable" = "shall be lockable"). This is the entire 2017 requirement: lockable per 110.25. No voltage rating, no current rating — just a lockable disconnect.

2023 (430.208) — switch/CB + voltage rating + 100% current rating

The motor controller disconnecting means shall be a switch or circuit breaker having a voltage rating not less than that of the circuit involved, and shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25. The disconnecting means shall have a current rating of not less than 100 percent of the full-load current rating of the motor. For adjustable-speed drive systems, the disconnecting means shall have a current rating not less than 100 percent of the rated input current of the power conversion equipment.

2023 (430.208, verbatim). The 2023 version keeps the 2017 lockable-110.25 requirement and ADDS three things that did not exist in 2017: (1) the disconnect must be a switch or circuit breaker; (2) it must have a voltage rating not less than the circuit's; (3) it must have a current rating not less than 100% of the motor FLC — or 100% of the drive's rated input current for adjustable-speed drives. This is the biggest substantive change in Part XI: the MV disconnect went from "just make it lockable" to "a properly rated switch or breaker."

The edition history, verified line by line

Every Part XI body was char-diffed, 2017 on-disk scan against the on-disk 2023 NEC CSV (verify_art45.py, 51 checks, all passing — the diff normalizes line-wrap hyphenation, dropped hyphens, the disclosed OCR spots "shail"/"shali"/"Acircuit"/"motorcircuit"/"motorprotective", and the 2017 page-footer text "70-318 ARTICLE 430…" that intrudes into the scan, so only real wording changes survive). The result:

The renumber itself is the headline 2017→2023 change: 430.221–430.227 (2017) → 430.201–430.208 (2023). First three by −20, a NEW 430.204 inserted, last four by −19.
Renumber confirmed as a 2023-cycle change (not 2020): the on-disk NFPA 2021-cycle SR compilation (the cycle that produces the 2023 edition) already targets the NEW numbers — SR-7555 (430.205), SR-7565 and SR-7569 (430.208) — in their Second-Revision section blocks, while the 2020 NEC still carried 430.221–430.227 (corroborated by EC&M's 2020-NEC Part 11 column, Oct 2022, which cites 430.221/.222/.223/.225/.226). One artifact, disclosed: SR-7802's committee statement (a 430.6 submittal) still says "Section 430.221 clarifies…" — the committee was mid-renumber; the actual Second-Revision code text it produces uses the new numbers.
NEW 430.204 (wire-bending space per 305.5): no 2017 counterpart. This insertion is what offsets the renumber by one.
430.205 (was 430.224) restructured: new "315.60 or (A) and (B)" lead-in; (A) rephrases the 2017 single sentence ("ampacity not less than the current at which … selected to trip" → "sized not less than the current trip setting"); NEW (B) for adjustable-speed drives at 125% of rated input current.
430.206(A) (was 430.225(A)) expanded: two NEW sentences route over-1000-V adjustable-speed drives to 430.124 + 430.126 and all other motors to 430.206(B)–(C). The (B)(1)–(4) and (C)(1)–(3) subsections are otherwise word-identical to 2017 (modulo the (B)(2) "motor controllers" rename and the cleaned (C)(1) self-reference).
430.208 (was 430.227) expanded: 2017 was lockable-110.25 only; 2023 adds switch-or-circuit-breaker + voltage rating not less than the circuit + current rating not less than 100% of the motor FLC (or 100% of the drive's rated input current).
Word-identical (after disclosed 2017 OCR corrections): 430.201 (2017 430.221), 430.203 (2017 430.223), 430.206(B)(1)/(B)(3)/(B)(4)/(C)(1)/(C)(2)/(C)(3).
The only renames: "controller" → "motor controller" (430.202, 430.206(B)(2)) and "controller's" → "motor controller's" (430.207). No number changed meaning except the renumber.
Every numeric value is unchanged 2017→2023: 1.8 m (6 ft) (430.203), 115 percent (430.207), 100 percent (430.208 — NEW rule, not a changed number), 125 percent (430.205(B) — NEW rule). The 1000 V threshold that names the part is unchanged.
Out of scope (2026 edition, 2024-cycle): the on-disk 2024-cycle NFPA prelim shows SR-8030 (430.205 scope revised to "over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc") and SR-8031 (430.208 restructured into (A)–(E) with the disconnect type/rating moved to subsections). These affect the 2026 edition and are not part of the 2017→2023 comparison documented here; they are noted for completeness.

Worked examples (all computed by the shipped core under node)

FLC values from Table 430.250 (three-phase, on-disk 2023 CSV, verbatim rows): 10 hp @ 460 V = 14 A, 5 hp @ 2300 V = 6.1 A. Conductor picks from pickConductor31016 and breaker steps from nextStdBreaker in app.js (75 °C column). Every number below was produced by compute_art45.js under node — no hand math.

EX1 — 430.205(A): size from the OVERLOAD SETTING, not 125% of FLC

10 hp 3∅ 460 V motor (FLC 14 A). Overload relay SET to 20 A (typical MV practice: setting above FLC, per 430.206(B)(1) engineering supervision).
430.205(A): ampacity ≥ trip setting = 20 A (NOT 125% × 14 A = 17.5 A — that is the Part I rule).
Core pick(20 A, Cu, 75 °C) = 14 AWG Cu (20 A).
Note: the 240.4(D) cap on a 15 A OCPD for 14 AWG is disclosed by the core, but 430.205(A) keys to the overload SETTING (20 A), so 14 AWG Cu satisfies ampacity. In MV practice the branch OCPD is typically the motor's own protective scheme, not a 240.4(D)-governed branch breaker.

This is the headline Part XI difference from Part I: under 430.22/430.205(A) the conductor follows the overload device setting, not 125% of FLC.

EX2 — 430.207: the 115% cap on the ultimate relay trip current

Motor controller rated 25 A continuous.
430.207: ultimate trip current ≤ 115% × 25 A = 28.75 A.
The EX1 relay setting (20 A) is within the cap (69.6% of 28.75 A) → OK.

EX3 — 430.208: the 2023 disconnect rating (100% of FLC)

Same 10 hp 460 V motor (FLC 14 A).
2023 430.208: disconnect = switch/CB, voltage rating ≥ circuit, lockable (110.25), current rating ≥ 100% × 14 A = 14 A.
A 25 A-rated controller satisfies 14 A (25 ≥ 14) → OK.
2017 430.227 would have required ONLY lockability — no current-rating floor. (This is the 2023 delta.)

EX4 — 430.205(B): MV drive conductors at 125% of rated input current (NEW in 2023)

5 hp 460 V adjustable-speed drive, rated INPUT current 25 A.
2023 430.205(B): conductors ≥ 125% × 25 A = 31.25 A.
Core pick(31.25 A, Cu, 75 °C) = 10 AWG Cu (35 A).
(2017 had no 430.205(B) — an MV drive's supply conductors had no explicit Part XI rule before 2023.)

EX5 — 430.208 drive clause: disconnect ≥ 100% of rated input current

Same drive, rated input current 25 A.
2023 430.208 (drive clause): disconnect current rating ≥ 100% × 25 A = 25 A.
Core nextStdBreaker(25 A) = 25 A standard.
2017 430.227: lockable only — no current-rating floor. (2023 delta.)

EX6 — 2300 V motor: the trip setting, not the FLC, governs conductor size

5 hp 3∅ 2300 V motor (Table 430.250 2300 V column = 6.1 A). Overload SET to 8 A.
430.205(A): ampacity ≥ trip setting = 8 A (the 6.1 A FLC is irrelevant to sizing).
Core pick(8 A, Cu, 75 °C) = 14 AWG Cu (20 A) minimum by ampacity.
Same rule at 2300 V as at 460 V: key to the overload setting, not the FLC.

Gotchas

Don't cross-cite across editions. "430.227" (2017) is "430.208" (2023). If a drawing or a spec from before 2023 cites 430.221–430.227, translate with the map above before applying a 2023 code. The reverse also holds: a 2023 citation to 430.205 has no 2017 equivalent section number — its substance is split across the 2017 430.224 and the NEW 2023 430.205(B).
Conductors follow the overload SETTING, not 125% of FLC. This is the single most common MV mistake: applying the Part I 430.22 rule (125% of FLC) to an over-1000-V motor. Part XI (430.205(A)/2017 430.224) sizes from the overload device's trip setting. For an MV drive, 430.205(B) sizes from 125% of the drive's rated input current (nameplate), not the motor FLC either.
The 2023 disconnect is no longer just "lockable." 2017 430.227 = lockable per 110.25, full stop. 2023 430.208 = switch or circuit breaker + voltage rating ≥ circuit + current rating ≥ 100% of FLC (or 100% of drive rated input). If you're retrofitting or reviewing an MV disconnect, check the current/voltage ratings, not just the lock.
430.204 is new and easy to miss. The wire-bending-space rule (305.5) inside the over-1000-V motor controller enclosure has no 2017 counterpart — its insertion is what shifts the renumber off by one (430.224→430.205, not 430.204).
2020 code users: the renumber did NOT happen in 2020. The 2020 NEC still used 430.221–430.227 (verified). The jump to 430.201–430.208 is a 2023-edition change, so a 2017→2020 diff is not claimable (the on-disk 2020 scan is TOC-level with no Part XI body text — disclosed gap), and a 2020→2023 diff is exactly this renumber plus the content changes documented here.
2026 is coming and it changes 430.205/430.208 again. The on-disk 2024-cycle NFPA prelim (the 2026 edition) shows 430.205's scope moving to "over 1000 V ac, 1500 V dc" and 430.208 being restructured into (A)–(E). If your jurisdiction has adopted 2026, re-verify 430.205 and 430.208 against that edition — this article documents 2017 and 2023 only.

The method, step by step

Confirm the motor (or drive) is rated over 1000 V, nominal. If so, Part XI applies ON TOP of Parts I–IX.
Use the 2023 numbering (430.201–430.208) for your code; translate any legacy 430.221–430.227 citations with the map above.
Size supply conductors per 430.205: 315.60 or (A) — ampacity ≥ the overload device's trip setting (not 125% of FLC); for an MV drive, (B) — ≥ 125% of the drive's rated input current.
Provide coordinated protection per 430.206(A) (or route an MV drive to 430.124/430.126); overload per (B) (integral thermal protector or external current-sensing, settings under engineering supervision, no auto-reset unless no hazard); fault-current per (C) (servicable breaker or non-servicable-energized fuses, no auto-reclose except transient-fault exception).
Cap the ultimate relay trip current at 115% of the controller's continuous rating (430.207); a separate branch disconnect must meet the relays' ultimate trip setting.
Provide a switch or circuit-breaker disconnect per 430.208: voltage rating ≥ circuit, lockable (110.25), current rating ≥ 100% of motor FLC (or 100% of drive rated input current).
Ensure the over-1000-V motor controller enclosure has wire-bending space per 430.204 / 305.5.
Verify against the adopted edition in your jurisdiction (2023 documented here; 2026 changes noted as out of scope).

FAQ

What is Part XI, and why is it separate from the rest of Article 430?

Part XI ("Over 1000 Volts, Nominal") adds to or amends the rest of Article 430 for MV motor circuits, because higher voltages create additional hazards. 430.201 (2023) / 430.221 (2017) states it directly: "It adds to or amends the other provisions of this article." You apply Parts I–IX first, then the Part XI amendments where they change the answer.

Why did the section numbers change between 2017 and 2023?

The 2023 edition renumbered Part XI from 430.221–430.227 to 430.201–430.208, moving it into the 430.20x block and inserting a new 430.204. The 2020 NEC still used 430.221–430.227 (verified), and the NFPA 2021-cycle Second Revisions already target the new numbers, so the renumber is a 2023-cycle change. It is the one part of Article 430 that moved between the two editions.

What's the difference between sizing an MV motor's conductors and a low-voltage motor's?

Low voltage (Part I, 430.22): conductors at 125% of the motor FLC. Medium voltage (Part XI, 430.205(A)/2017 430.224): conductors at an ampacity not less than the overload device's TRIP SETTING. For an MV drive (2023 430.205(B)): conductors at 125% of the drive's rated INPUT current. The reference quantity is different in all three cases.

Does the 2023 disconnect really need a current rating now?

Yes. 2017 430.227 required only lockability (110.25). 2023 430.208 requires a switch or circuit breaker with a voltage rating not less than the circuit and a current rating not less than 100% of the motor FLC (or 100% of the drive's rated input current for adjustable-speed drives).

Is 430.204 in the 2017 code?

No. 430.204 (wire-bending space per 305.5) is new in 2023. Its insertion is why the renumber is −20 for the first three sections and −19 for the last four.

What changes in the 2026 edition?

Out of scope for this 2017↔2023 article, but noted from the on-disk 2024-cycle NFPA prelim: SR-8030 revises 430.205's scope to "over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc," and SR-8031 restructures 430.208 into subsections (A)–(E). If your jurisdiction has adopted the 2026 edition, re-verify 430.205 and 430.208 against it.