I'm only seeing about a 2x kick. It varies depending on the motor startup circuit, load, type of motor, etc.
You'd have to SEE the wiring setup on this place to believe it though - the actual wire used is decent, the boxes and breakers are QO but the actual INSTALLATION is a massive code issue - I suspect the wiring was all done before code was adopted here.
Ever seen an OUTDOOR breaker box on a house, using an INDOOR panel? At least that's the neighbor's box, and whoever installed it used silicone sealer around all of the openings, but GAH.....
Overall, I'm most worried about the use of bloody spices (they DID use the insulated screw-on connector type stuff that USED to be valid under the code but does tend to have issues at times) and the breakers overheat-derating too much come summertime (but I'm planning to be OUT of here by then, and I'm VERY well aware of required derating for higher temps).
I was, in the past, a union-trained Journeyman Electrician, bonded and licensed for a few years (in another state, but NEC is NEC). Code hasn't changed a TON since then, other than to adopt some "best practices" recommendation type stuff that is now required (like seperate ground wire, which was only a recommendation 'till the 1996 revision), but this stuff is scary in some ways.
i'm sorry the x3 was an allowance, i just got very used to it...like in using a transformer or AVR for motors a x3 is usually the rule of the thumb.
the panel box here are indoors, seen those outdoor stuff during my my days of researching. silicon sealant is wear and tear resistant, i bet that panel box would give-in to rust before that silicon sealant breaks or leaks.
so you are an electrician...i'm not, don't loose me on terminologies lol, don't know NEC and the Code. i do have electricity related minor subjects when in college, watched and learned from an electrician too...but i study and practice for personal use only, i even setup electrical cabling for my mom's boarding house and office (residential level only), my dad's farm, and a little electrical fixing on my friends homes.
in 1996 there it was recommended there to use a separate ground wire? here in 2016 we still have 2 wires a 240v and the other is the ground LOL.. i agree there is an element of being "scary" but the important thing is that i understand electricity and its behavior..i did a few live wire splicing in my lifetime in involving #10, #8 and #6 AWG..the sweat, adrenaline and concentration phew!