Section 3:

Load Planning

Bill Brown, P.E., Square D Engineering Services

Basic Principles
The most vital, but often the last to be acquired, pieces of information for power system design are the load
details. An important concept in load planning is that due to non-coincident timing, some equipment operating
at less than rated load, and some equipment operating intermittently rather than continuously, the total demand
upon the power source is always less than the total connected load [1]. This concept is known as load diversity.
The following standard definitions are given in [1] and [2] and are tools to quantify it:
Demand: The electric load at the receiving terminals averaged over a specified demand interval. of time, usually
15 min., 30 min., or 1 hour based upon the particular utilitys demand interval. Demand may be expressed in
amperes, kiloamperes, kilowatts, kilovars, or kilovoltamperes.
Demand Interval: The period over which the load is averaged, usually 15 min., 30 min., or 1 hour.
Peak Load: The maximum load consumed or produced by a group of units in a stated period of time. It may be
the maximum instantaneous load or the maximum average load over a designated period of time.
Maximum Demand: The greatest of all demands that have occurred during a specified period of time such as
one-quarter, one-half, or one hour. For utility billing purposes the period of time is generally one month.
Coincident Demand: Any demand that occurs simultaneously with any other demand.
Demand Factor: The ratio of the maximum coincident demand of a system, or part of a system, to the total
connected load of the system, or part of the system, under consideration, i.e.,
(3-1)
Diversity Factor: The ratio of the sum of the individual maximum demands of the various subdivisions of a
system to the maximum demand of the whole system, i.e.,

(3-2)
where
Di
DG

= maximum demand of load i, regardless of time of occurrence.

= coincident maximum demand of the group of n loads.

Using (1), the relationship between the diversity factor and the demand factor is

(3-3)
where
TCLi
DFi

= total connected load of load group i

= the demand factor of load group i

Load Factor: The ratio of the average load over a designated period of time to the peak load occurring
in that period, i.e.,

(3-4)
If T is the designated period of time, an alternate formula for the load factor may be obtained by manipulating
(3-4) as follows:

(3-5)

These quantities must be used with each type of load to develop a realistic picture of the actual load requirements
if the economical sizing of equipment is to be achieved. Further, they are important to the utility rate structure
(and thus the utility bill).
As stated in [2], the following must be taken into account in this process:
I

Load Development/Build-Up Schedule Peak load requirements, temporary/construction power

requirements, and timing

Load Profile Load magnitude and power factor variations expected during low-load, average load,
and peak load conditions

Expected Daily and Annual Load Factor

Large motor starting requirements

Special or unusual loads such as resistance welding, arc welding, induction melting, induction heating, etc.

Harmonic-generating loads such as variable-frequency drives, arc discharge lighting, etc.

Forecasted load growth over time

Reference [4] and individual engineering experience on previous projects are both useful in determining demand
factors for different types of loads. In addition, the National Electrical Code [3] gives minimum requirements for
the computation of branch circuit, feeder, and service loads.

NEC Basic branch circuit requirements

NEC [3] Article 220 gives the basic requirements for load calculations for branch circuits, feeders, and services.
In order to understand these requirements, the basic NEC definitions of branch circuit, feeder, and service must
be understood, along with several other key terms:
Branch Circuit: The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit
and the outlet(s).
Feeder: All circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of a separately derived system, or other
power supply source and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.
Service: The conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy from the serving utility to the wiring system
of the premises served.
Outlet: The point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

Receptacle: A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.
A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle
is two or more contact devices on the same yoke.
Continuous Load: A load where the maximum current is expected to continue for three hours or more.
The NEC definition of Demand Factor is essentially the same as given above.
I

Minimum lighting load (Article 220.12): Minimum lighting load must not be less than as specified in table 3-1
(NEC Table 220.12):

Table 3-1: General lighting loads by occupancy (NEC [3] table 220.12)
Type of Occupancy

Unit Load
Volt-Amperes
Per quare Meter

Unit Load
Volt-Amperes
per Square Foot

Armories and auditoriums

11

Banks

39

3.5b

Barber shops and beauty parlors

33

Churches

11

Clubs

22

22

Dwelling Units

33

Garages commercial (storage)

0.5

Hospitals

22

Hotels and motels, including apartment houses without provision

for cooking by tenantsa

22

Industrial commercial (loft) buildings

22

Lodge rooms

17

1.5

Office buildings

39

3.5b

Restaurants

22

Schools

33

Stores

33

Warehouses (storage)

0.25

Assembly halls and auditoriums

11

Halls, corridors, closets, stairways

0.5

Storage Spaces

0.25

Court Rooms
a

In any of the preceding occupancies except one- family dwellings and

individual dwelling units of two-family and multi-family dwellings:

a
b

See NEC Article 220.14(J)

See NEC Article 220.14(K)

Motor Loads (Article 220.14(C)): Motor loads must be calculated in accordance with Articles 430.22,
430.24, and 440.6, summarized as follows:):
N The full load current rating for a single motor used in a continuous duty application is 125% of the motors
full-load current rating as determined by Article 430.6, which refers to horsepower/ampacity tables 430.247,
430.248, 430.249, or 430.250 as appropriate (Article 430.22).
N

The load calculation for several motors, or a motor(s) and other loads, is 125% of the full load current rating
of the highest rated motor per a.) above plus the sum of the full-load current ratings of all the other motors in
the group, plus the ampacity required for the other loads (Article 430.24).

Luminaires (lighting fixtures) (Article 220.14(D)): An outlet supplying luminaire(s) shall be calculated based upon
the maximum volt-ampere rating of the equipment and lamps for which the luminaire(s) is rated.

Heavy-Duty Lampholders (Article 220.14(E)): Loads f for heavy-duty lampholders must be calculated at a
minimum of 600 volt-amperes.

Sign and outline lighting (Article 220.14(F)): Sign and outline lighting loads shall be calculated at a minimum of
1200 volt-amperes for each required branch circuit specified in article 600.5(A).

Show windows (Article 220.14(G)): Show windows can be calculated in accordance with either:
N The unit load per outlet as required in other provisions of article 220.14.
N

200 volt-amperes per 300mm (1ft.) of show window.

Loads for fixed multioutlet assemblies in other than dwelling units or the guest rooms and guest suites of hotels
or motels must be calculated as follows (Article 220.14(H)):
N Where appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously, each 1.5m (5 ft.) or fraction thereof of each
separate and continuous length must be considered as one outlet of 180 volt-amperes.
N

For hermetic refrigerant motor compressors or multi-motor equipment employed as part of air conditioning or
refrigerating equipment, the equipment nameplate rated load current should be used instead of the motor
horsepower rating (Article 440.6).

Where appliances are likely to be used simultaneously, each 300mm (1 ft.) or fraction thereof must be
considered as an outlet of 180 volt-amperes.

Receptacle outlets (Articles 220.14(I), 220.14(J), 220.14(K), 220.14(L)): Loads for these are calculated
as follows:
N Dwelling occupancies (Article 220.14(J)): In one-family, two-family, and multifamily dwellings and in guest
rooms or guest suites of hotels and motels, general-use receptacle outlets of 20A rating or less are included
in the general lighting load per above. No additional load calculations are required for these.
N

Banks and office buildings (Article 220.14(K)): Receptacle outlets must be calculated to be the larger of
either the calculated value per c.) below or 11 volt-amperes/square meter (1 volt-ampere per square ft.).

All other receptacle outlets (Article 220.14(I)): Each receptacle on one yoke must be calculated as
180 volt-amperes. A multiple receptacle consisting of four or more receptacles must be calculated at
90 volt-amperes per receptacle.

Sufficient branch circuits must be incorporated into the system design to serve the loads per Article 220.10
(summarized 1.) 8.) above), along with branch circuits for any specific loads not covered in Article 220.10.
The total number of branch circuits must be determined from the calculated load and the size or rating of the
branch circuits used. The load must be evenly proportioned among the branch circuits (Article 210.11(C)).
In addition, Article 210.11(C) requires several dedicated branch circuits as follows for dwelling units:
N Two or more 20A small-appliance branch circuits (Article 210.11(C)(1)).
N

One or more 20A laundry branch circuits (Article 210.11(C)(2)).

One or more bathroom branch circuits (Article 210.11(C)(3)).

Continuous Loads (Article 210.20): The rating of the overcurrent protection for a branch circuit must be at least
the sum of the non-continuous load +125% of the continuous load unless the overcurrent device is 100%-rated.
Because the rating of the overcurrent protection determines the rating of the branch circuit (Article 210.3), the
branch circuit must be sized for the non-continuous load +125% of the continuous load. In load calculations,
continuous loads should therefore be multiplied by 1.25 unless the circuit overcurrent device is 100% rated.
Note that motor loads are not included in this calculation as the 125% factor is already included in the applicable
sizing per above.

NEC Basic Feeder Circuit Sizing Requirements

Once the branch circuit loads are calculated, the feeder circuit loads may be calculated by applying demand
factors to the branch circuit loads.
I

General Lighting Loads (Article 220.42): The feeder general lighting load can be calculated by multiplying the
branch circuit general lighting load calculated per B.) 1.) above, for those branch circuits supplied by the feeder,
by a demand factor per table 3-2 (NEC table 220.42).

Table 3-2: Lighting load feeder demand factors (NEC [3] table 220.42)
Type of Occupancy

Portion of Lighting Load to

Which Demand Factor Applies
(Volt-Amperes)

Demand Factor
(Percent)

Dwelling units

First 3,000 or less at

From 3,001 to 120,000 at
Remainder over 120,000 at

100
35
25

Hospitals*

First 50,000 or less at

Remainder over 50,000 at

40
20

Hotels and motels, including apartment houses without

provision for cooking by tenants*

First 20,000 or less at

From 20,001 to 100,000 at
Remainder over 100,000 at

50
40
30

Warehouses (storage)

First 12,500 or less at

Remainder over 12,500 at

100
50

All others

Total volt-amperes

100

* The demand factors of this table shall not apply to the calculated load of feeders or services supplying areas in hospitals, hotels,
and motels where the entire lighting is likely to be used at one time, as in operating rooms, ballrooms, or dining rooms.

Show window or track lighting (Article 220.43): Show windows must use a calculated value of 660 voltamperes per linear meter (200 volt-amperes per linear foot), measured horizontally along its base. Track
lighting in other than dwelling units must be calculated at an 150 volt-amperes per 660mm (2 ft.) of lighting
track or fraction thereof.

Receptacles in other than dwelling units (Article 220.44): Demand factors for non-dwelling receptacle loads
are given in table 3-3 (NEC table 220.44).

Table 3-3: Demand factors for non-dwelling receptacle loads (NEC [3] table 220.44)
Portion of Receptacle Load to Which Demand Factor Applies (Volt-Amperes)

Demand Factor (Percent)

First 10 kVA or less at

100

Remainder over 10 kVA

50

Motors (Article 220.50): The feeder demands for these are calculated as follows:
N The load calculation for several motors, or a motor(s) and other loads, is 125% of the full load current rating
of the highest rated motor per II.) B.) ii.) above plus the sum of the full-load current ratings of all the other
motors in the group, plus the ampacity required for the other loads (Article 430.24).
N

The load calculation for factory-wired multimotor and combination-load equipment should be based upon the
minimum circuit ampacity marked on the equipment (Article 430.25) instead of the motor horsepower rating.

Where allowed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, feeder demand factors may be applied based upon the
duty cycles of the motors. No demand factors are given in the NEC for this situation.

Fixed Electric Space Heating (Article 220.51): The feeder loads for these must be calculated at 100% of
the connected load.

Noncoincident Loads (Article 220.60): Where it is unlikely that two or more noncoincident loads will be in use
simultaneously, it is permissible to use only the largest loads that will be used at one time to be used in
calculating the feeder demand.

Feeder neutral load (Article 220.61): The feeder neutral load is defined as the maximum load imbalance on the
feeder. The maximum load imbalance for three-phase four-wire systems is the maximum net calculated load
between the neutral and any one ungrounded conductor. A demand factor of 70% may be applied to this
calculated load imbalance. Refer to NEC article 220.61 for neutral reductions in systems other than
three-phase, four-wire systems. This demand factor does not apply to non-linear loads; in fact, it may be
necessary to oversize the neutral due to current flow from non-linear load triplen harmonics.

Continuous Loads (Article 215.3): The rating of the overcurrent protection for a feeder circuit must be at least
the sum of the non-continuous load +125% of the continuous load, unless the overcurrent device is 100%-rated.
Because the rating of the overcurrent protection determines the rating of the branch circuit (Article 210.3),
the branch circuit must be sized for the non-continuous load +125% of the continuous load. In the final feeder
circuit load calculation, the continuous portion of the load should therefore be multiplied by 1.25 unless the
overcurrent device for the circuit is 100%-rated. Note that motor loads are not included in this calculation as the
125% factor is already included in the applicable sizing per above.

Additional calculation data is given in NEC Article 220 for dwelling units, restaurants, schools, and farms. This
data is not repeated here. Refer to NEC Article 220 for details.
As this guide only presents the basic NEC requirements for load calculations, it is imperative to refer to the NEC
itself when in doubt about a specific load sizing application. Computer programs are commercially available to
automate the calculation of feeder and branch circuit loads per the NEC methodology described above.

References
Because the subject matter for this section is basic and general to the subject of electrical engineering, it is
included in most undergraduate textbooks on basic circuit analysis and electric machines. Where material is
considered so basic as to be axiomatic no attempt has been made to cite a particular source for it.
For material not covered per the above, references specifically cited in this section are:

[1]

IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants,
IEEE Standard 141-1993, December 1993.

[2]

Turan Gonen, Electric Power Distribution System Design, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986, pp. 37-51.

[3]

The National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, The National Fire Protection Association, Inc., 2005 Edition.

[4]

IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Systems in Commercial Buildings,

IEEE Standard 241-1990, December 1990.