An estimator asked what method to use to calculate the volt-amperes (VA) of a residence.

He hoped
to use the results as a guide to estimate the elements of the electrical system and wanted the
standard method applied. Below, I explain my interpreta-tion of this method to determine the VA and
serve as an estimating tool.
Grouping loads
The standard calculation requires the loads to be divided as follows:
Load 1: General lighting and receptacle and small appliance loads
Load 2: Cooking equipment loads
Load 3: Special appliance loads
Load 4: Dryer load
Load 5: Heating load
Load 6: Largest motor
General lighting and receptacle loads
Table 220.12 in the National Electrical Code considers a residence a listed occupancy at 3 VA per
square foot; therefore, the general lighting load is determined by multiplying the square footage. For
example, 2,800 square feet times 3 VA is 8,400 VA. Use this total to determine the number of outlets
for lighting and general-purpose receptacles. Installing a 20-amp circuit supplied by 120 volts, the
8,400 VA divided by 2,400 VA (20 A × 120 V = 2,400 VA) is 3.5, when rounded up requires four 20-amp
circuits. Five 15-amp circuits would be the minimum required for a 15-amp circuit.
Small appliance loads
At least two small appliance circuits per 210.52(A) must be installed to supply receptacle outlets in
the kitchen, breakfast room, pantry and dining room. One is needed for the laundry room per
210.52(B). Small appliance circuits are calculated at 1,500 VA each. Therefore, 4,500 VA is added to
the general lighting load. These outlets are not to be connected to the circuits supplied by the
general-purpose or special ap-pliance circuits.
A demand factor, as permitted in Table 220.42, can be applied to these loads. Depending on the VA,
the first 3,000 VA can be calculated at 100 percent and the remaining VA at 35 percent.
Special appliance load
Directed circuits usually supply special appliance circuits, which are not connected to the general-
purpose or small appliance circuits. Such loads are water heaters, heating units, ranges, air
conditioning units, cooking equipment, motors, etc. For example, 10 kW is transposed to 10,000 VA
and used in the calculation to determine the total load in VA.
Fixed appliance loads, such as dishwashers, disposals, water heaters, compactors, etc., are permitted
to have a 75 percent demand fac-tor applied to their total VA.
Appliances that are not included when using this demand factor are heating units, air conditioning
units, dryers or cooking equipment. When these appliances are removed from the calculation, all
other appliances are considered fixed and are eligible for the 75 percent de-mand.
Demand factor
As mentioned, a term constantly used in modern design is “demand factor,” the ratio of the maximum
demand of a system (or part of a system) to the connected load on the system (or part of the system).
It is always less than 1.
Application of demand factors
LOAD 1:
Tables 220.12 and 220.42 may be applied as follows:
General-purpose lighting and receptacle loads—2,800 sq. ft. × 3 VA = 8,400 VA
Small appliance and laundry loads—1,500 VA × 3 = 4,500 VA
ANSWER: 8,400 VA + 4,500 VA = 12,900 VA
Application of demand factors
First 3,000 VA × 100% = 3,000 VA
Next 9,900 VA × 35% = 3,465 VA
ANSWER: 3,000 VA + 3,465 VA = 6,465 VA
LOAD 2:
Table 220.55, Col. B (65 percent) may be applied as follows:
8,500-VA cooktop and 8,000-VA oven
Application of demand factors
ANSWER: 8,500 VA + 8,000 VA × 65% = 10,725 VA
LOAD 3:
Section 220.53 (75 percent rule) may be applied as follows:
The fixed appliance load of 13,200 VA consists of a water heater, water pump, disposal, compactor,
dishwasher, microwave and blower motor.
Application of demand factors
ANSWER: 13,200 VA × 75% = 9,900 VA
LOAD 4:
Table 220.54 permits a 5,000-VA dryer to be calculated at 5,000 VA.
LOAD 5:
Section 220.60 permits the largest between a 10,000-VA heating unit and 5,500-VA air conditioning
unit with the smaller load dropped.
LOAD 6:
Section 220.50 requires 25 percent for the largest motor (2,600 VA water pump) to be added to the
calculation at 650 VA (25% of 2,600 VA = 650 VA).
DETERMINING TOTAL VA
Add the VA of 6,465; 10,725; 9,900; 5,000; 10,000; and 650 together, and 42,740 VA is derived. Total
amps is 178 (42,740A/240V = 178A)
This procedure can be used to derive the VA to determine the amps for selecting the service elements
and aid in estimating wiring methods and equipment.