2013

Electrical Load Estimation Course

Ali Hassan
Certified Energy Manager – AEE ‐ USA
 Copyrights Reserved for www.Electrical‐
Knowhow.com

About Author

Hi, I'm Ali Hassan el‐Ashmawy, I began my career from

1999 as a site electrical engineer then as area manager

from 2001 then as electrical designer from 2003 then as

senior electrical designer from 2006 and up to date.

In my past experience, I designed and construct about

100 projects in different countries like Egypt, Kuwait, Indonesia, KSA, Gabon and

Iraq. My designs were approved by many international authorities like USA corps

of engineers and USA ministry of exterior – OBO Office.

I'm certified energy manger CEM from AEE – USA since 2006 and I hope to become

a well‐known designer in the field of electrical design.

To contact me please email to Ali1973hassan@yahoo.com

Page 2 of 41
Course Description:

This course is intended to prepare the target persons with the ability to

recognize, understand, and perform preliminary electrical load

calculation/estimation for any building type by many calculation methods.

The target Persons:

Design engineers, new graduate engineers, under graduate engineering students.

Skills Development:

On completion of this course the target person will be able to:

• Recognize different calculation method for electrical load estimation.

• Understand the procedures and logic of each method for electrical

load estimation.

• Perform the calculations steps of each method for electrical load estimation.
 Table of Contents
Page
S/N Item
No.
1Introduction5
2 Importance of Electrical Load Estimation (Preliminary Load 5
Calculations)
3 Definition of Important terms in Load Estimation 5
3.1 Connected load 5
3.2 Demand load 5
3.3 Demand Interval 6
3.4 Maximum demand 6
3.5 Demand factor (in IEC, Factor of maximum utilization ku) 6
3.6 Coincidence factor (in IEC, Factor of simultaneity ks) 7
3.7 Diversity factor 10
3.7.1 Difference between demand and diversity factor 11
3.8 Load factor 18
4 Methods of Electrical load estimation 19
5 Preliminary Electrical Load estimate 19
5.1 Difference between preliminary and final load estimate 19
5.2 Preliminary load calculations sub‐methods 20
5.3 Space‐by‐Space Method (functional area method) 21
5.3.1 Usage conditions of Space‐by‐Space Method 21
5.3.2 Area Measurement in space by space method 21
5.3.3 Method of estimation by using Space‐by‐Space Method 21
First Case 21
Second case 25
5.4 The Building Method 29
5.4.1 Comparison between space‐by‐space and building methods 29
5.4.2 Usage conditions of Building Method 29
5.4.3 Area Measurement in Building Method 29
5.4.4 Method of estimation by using Building Method 29
First Case 30
Second case 31
5.5 Area method 35
5.5.1 Usage conditions of Area Method 35
5.5.2 Method of estimation by using Area Method 36
First: basic method 36
Second: Optional Method (Load centers method) 38
5.6General notes for all methods of electrical load estimations 41
1‐ Introduction

At the beginning of the project, in the draft design (early design) stage, the
electrical design professional should do the following:

 Make Analysis of load characteristics,

 Review The available voltage system types/classes and levels,
 Review the utility’s rate structure,
 Make roughly a key single‐line diagram and a set of subsidiary single‐line
diagrams. The key single‐line diagram should show the sources of power
e.g. generators, utility intakes, the main switchboard and the
interconnections to the subsidiary or secondary switchboards.
 Develop Demand factor relationship between connected loads and the
actual demand imposed on the system.

2‐ Importance of Electrical Load Estimation (Preliminary Load Calculations)

Electrical Load Estimation is very important in the draft design (early design) stage
because it help to:

 Plan the connection to upstream network and MV circuit configurations.

 Plan the transformers substation(s) (if any) and the main switchgear room.
 Apply to Power Company for supply.
 Calculate initial budget for the electrical works.

3‐ Definition of Important terms in Load Estimation:

There are many important terms which must be understood before performing
the load estimation, these terms are:

3.1 Connected load

It is the Sum of all the loads connected to the electrical system, usually expressed
in watts.

3.2 Demand load

It is 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
utility’s demand interval. Demand may be expressed in amperes, kilo‐amperes,
kilo‐watts, kilo‐vars, or kilo‐volt‐amperes.

3.3 Demand Interval

It is the period over which the load is averaged, usually 15 min., 30 min., or 1 hour.

3.4 Maximum demand

It is the greatest of all demands that have occurred during a specified period of
time such as 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour. For utility billing
purposes the period of time is generally one month.

3.5 Demand factor (in IEC, Factor of maximum utilization ku)

In normal operating conditions the power consumption of a load is sometimes less

than that indicated as its nominal power rating.

The demand factor is the ratio of the maximum demand on a system to the total
connected load of the system.

Demand factor = Maximum demand load / Total load connected

Notes:

 This factor must be applied to each individual load, with particular

attention to electric motors, which are very rarely operated at full load.
 Demand factors for buildings typically range between 50 and 80 percent of
the connected load. For most building types, the demand factor at the
service where the maximum diversity is experienced is usually 60 to 75
percent of the connected load. Specific portions of the system may have
much higher demand factors, even approaching 100 percent.
3.6 Coincidence factor (in IEC, Factor of simultaneity ks)

It is a matter of common experience that the simultaneous operation of all

installed loads of a given installation never occurs in practice, i.e. there is always
some degree of diversity and this fact is taken into account for estimating purposes
by the use of a simultaneity factor (ks).

The coincidence factor is the ratio of the maximum demand of a system, or part
under consideration, to the sum of the individual maximum demands of the
subdivisions.

Coincidence factor = Maximum system demand / Sum of individual

maximum demands

Notes:

 The factor ks is applied to each group of loads (e.g. being supplied from
a distribution or sub‐distribution board).

Example#1 (see Fig.1):

5 storeys apartment building with 25 consumers, each having 6 kVA of installed

load.

Calculate the following:

1. The total installed load,

2. The apparent‐power supply,
3. The main service size,
4. The third level service size.

Solution:

1‐ Calculation of The total installed load,

From Fig.1, The total installed load for the building will be the sum of the installed
loads in the (5) storeys which will be as follows:
Ground floor:
There are (4) consumers, the installed loads in this storey = 4consumers x 6 KVA
installed load per consumer = 24 KVA

First Floor:
There are (6) consumers, the installed loads in this storey = 6 x 6 = 36 KVA

Second Floor:
There are (5) consumers, the installed loads in this storey = 5 x 6 = 30 KVA

Third Floor:
There are (4) consumers, the installed loads in this storey = 4 x 6 = 24 KVA

Forth Floor:
There are (6) consumers, the installed loads in this storey = 6 x 6 = 36 KVA

So, the total installed load for the building = 24 + 36 + 30 + 24 + 36 = 150

kVA

Fig (1)
 Table#1: Factor of simultaneity (ks) for Apartments Block

From Table#1 in above, it is possible to determine the magnitude of currents in

different sections of the common main feeder supplying all floors.

For vertical rising mains fed at ground level, the cross‐sectional area of the
conductors can evidently be progressively reduced from the lower floors towards
the upper floors. These changes of conductor size are conventionally spaced by at
least 3‐floor intervals.

2‐ Calculation of apparent power

From Table#1, since the number of downstream consumers = 25, the Factor of
simultaneity ks = 0.46
So, the apparent‐power supply required for the building = 150 KVA x 0.46 = 69 kVA

3‐ Calculation of The main service size

The current entering the rising main at ground level (main service size) = (150 x
0.46 x 1000) / (400 x √3) = 100 A

4‐ Calculation of The third level service size

The current entering the third floor (the third level service size) = sum of currents
delivered to third and fourth floors
The number of consumers in the third and fourth floors = 4 + 6 =10 consumers

From Table#1, for number of downstream consumers = 10, the Factor of

simultaneity ks = 0.63
So, the current entering the third floor (the third level service size) = (36 + 24) x
0.63 x 1000 / (400 x √3) = 55 A

3.7 Diversity factor

The diversity factor is the reciprocal of the coincidence factor.

Diversity factor = Sum of individual maximum demands / Maximum system

demand

Notes:

 The Diversity Factor is applied to each group of loads (e.g. being

supplied from a distribution or sub‐distribution board).

Example#2:

Consider that a feeder supplies five users with the following load conditions:

 On Monday, user one reaches a maximum demand of 100 amps;

 On Tuesday, two reaches 95 amps;
 On Wednesday, three reaches 85 amps;
 On Thursday, four reaches 75 amps;
 On Friday, five reaches 65 amps.
 The feeder’s maximum demand is 250 amps.

Calculate the Diversity Factor for this feeder?

Solution:

The diversity factor can be determined as follows:

Sum of total demands = 100 + 95 + 85 + 75 + 65 = 420 A

Diversity factor = Sum of total demands ÷ Maximum demand on feeder = 420 A ÷

250 A = 1.68
Example#3:

Calculate the size of a main feeder from substation switchgear that is supplying
five feeders with connected loads of 400, 350, 300, 250 and 200 kilovolt‐amperes
(kVA)
with demand factors of 95, 90, 85, 80 and 75 percent respectively. Use a diversity
factor of 1.5.

Solution:

1‐ Calculate demand for each feeder:

Feeder#1 demand = 400 kVA × 95% = 380

kVA Feeder#2 demand = 350 kVA × 90% =
315 kVA Feeder#3 demand = 300 kVA × 85%
= 255 kVA Feeder#4 demand = 250 kVA ×
80% = 200 kVA Feeder#5 demand = 200 kVA
× 75% = 150 kVA

2‐ Sum all of the individual demands = 380 + 315 + 255 + 200 + 150 = 1,300 kVA

3‐ If the feeder were sized at unity diversity, then the size of the main feeder =
1,300 kVA ÷ 1.00 = 1,300 kVA

However, using the diversity factor of 1.5, the size of the main feeder = 1,300 kVA
÷ 1.5 = 866 kVA.

3.7.1 Difference between demand and diversity factor:

Most of the electrical engineers confuse between the demand and diversity
factors, to solve this confusion, don't forget that:

 The Demand factor must be applied to each individual load, with

particular attention to electric motors, which are very rarely operated at
full load.
 The Diversity Factor is applied to each group of loads (e.g. being
supplied from a distribution or sub‐distribution board).

Example #4:
An industrial building consists of (3) nos. workshops A, B & C, each workshop will
include the following loads:
Workshop A:

 4 nos. lathe with 5 KVA each,

 2 nos. pedestal drill with 2 KVA each,
 5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 A on one circuit with 18 KVA total,
 30 nos. fluorescent lamps on one circuit with 3 KVA total.

Workshop B:

 One nos. Compressor with 15 KVA,

 3 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 A on one circuit with 10.6 KVA total,
 10 nos. fluorescent lamps on one circuit with 1 KVA total.

Workshop C:
 2 nos. ventilation fans with 2.5 KVA each,
 2 nos. Oven with 15 KVA each,
 5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 A on one circuit with 18 KVA total,
 20 nos. fluorescent lamps on one circuit with 2 KVA total.

 Draw a key single line diagram for this building?

 Determine both the demand (utilization) factor and simultaneity factor
with the help of tables # 2 & 3 in below?
 Calculate the demand load for each level in the key single line diagram?

Table#2: Factor of simultaneity for distribution boards (IEC 60439)

 table#3: Factor of simultaneity according to circuit function

solution:

Follow the solution steps in below and in fig.2.

fig.2
Step#1: List all the loads in each workshop and write the apparent power of each
load in KVA beside it.

Step#2: write the utilization factor for each load, IEC gives Ku estimation values for
these loads as follows:

 For motor Ku = 0.8

 For socket outlets Ku = 1 (depend on the type of appliances being
supplied from the sockets concerned)
 For light circuits Ku= 1

The Table of Calculation for Steps# 1&2 will be as follows:

Appare
Appare Utilizati
Workshop nt
Load Type Load nt on
Name Power
No. Power Factor
Dema
(KVA) Max.
nd
Max.K
VA
lathe No.1 5 0.8 4
No.2 5 0.8 4
No.3 5 0.8 4
Worksho No.4 5 0.8 4
p A: pedestal drill No.1 2 0.8 1.6
No.2 2 0.8 1.6
5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 A 18 1 18
30 nos. fluorescent lamps 3 1 3
Compressor 15 0.8 12
3 nos. sockets
Worksho
outlets 10/16 A  1 10.6
p B: 10 nos.
fluorescent
 1 1
lamps
ventilation fan No.1  1 2.5
No.2  1 2.5
Worksho Oven No.1  1 15
p C: No.2  1 15
5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 A  1 18
20 nos. fluorescent lamps  1 2

Step#3: calculate the Max. Demand apparent power in KVA for each load =
apparent power X Ku for each load.

Step# 4: group same type of loads on one distribution panel/box and this will be
the first Level of distribution (LEVEL 1).
Step# 5: in level 1 and from table #2, write the simultaneity factor for each
distribution panel/box and from table # 3 write the simultaneity factor for each for
each separate load.

Step# 6: calculate the Max. Demand apparent power in KVA for each distribution
panel/box = sum of all branch loads’ Max. Demand apparent power in KVA X
simultaneity factor for each distribution panel/box.

The Table of Calculation will be as follows:

Level‐1
App
ar App
App U
ent ar
Worksh Load ar til
Load Type Po simult ent
op No. ent iz
wer an Po
Name Pow at
De eity wer
er io
ma De
(KV n factor
nd ma
A) F
Ma nd
a
x.K Ma
ct
VA x.K
o
VA
r
M
a
x.
lathe No.1 5 0. 4
8
No.2 5 0. 4
8 0.75 14.
Worksh 4
No.3 5 0. 4
op 8
A: No.4 5 0. 4
8
pedestal drill No.1 2 0. 1.6
8
No.2 2 0. 1.6
8
5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16 18 1 18 0.2 3.6
A
30 nos. fluorescent lamps 3 1 3 1 3
Compressor 15 0. 12 1 12
8
Worksh
3 nos. sockets
o p B: outlets 10/16 A  1 10.6 0.4 4.3
10 nos.
fluorescent
 1 1 1 1
lamps
 ventilation fan No.1  1 2.5
No.2  1 2.5
1 35
Worksh Oven No.1  1 15
o p C: No.2  1 15
5 nos. sockets outlets 10/16  1 18 0.28 5
A
20 nos. fluorescent lamps  1 2 1 2

Step# 7: group the distribution panel/box in each workshop in one main

distribution panel/box. So, we will have (3) main distribution panel/box for the (3)
workshops and this will be the second level of distribution (LEVEL 2).
Step# 8: in level 2 and from table #2, write the simultaneity factor for each main
distribution panel/box.

Step# 9: calculate the Max. Demand apparent power in KVA for each main
distribution panel/box = sum of all branch distribution boxes’ Max. Demand
apparent power in KVA X simultaneity factor for each main distribution panel/box.

The Table of Calculation will be as follows:

Work Load Type Lo A Uti A Level‐1 Level‐2

sh op a pp liz pp
Nam d ar ati ar A Ap
sim sim
e N en on en pp p
ult ult
o t Fa t ar ar
. Po cto Po ane ane
ity en ity en
w r w t t
er M er fact fact
Po Po
(K ax. De or w
or w
V m er er
A an D D
) d e e
M m m
ax an an
. d d
K M M
V ax ax
A . .
K K
V V
A A
Work lathe No 5 0 4 0.75 14. 0.9 18.
s hop .1 . 4 9
A: 8
No 5 0 4
.2 .
8
No 5 0 4
.3 .
8
No 5 0 4
.4 .
8
pedestal No 2 0 1.
drill .1 . 6
8
No 2 0 1.
.2 . 6
8
5 nos. sockets 18 1 18 0. 3.
outlets 2 6
 10/16 A
30 nos. fluorescent 3 1 3 1 3
lamps
Wor Compressor 15 0 12 1 1 0.9 15.
ks . 2 6
hop 8
B: 3 nos.  1 10 0. 4.
sockets  .6 4 3
outlets 10/16
A
10 nos.  1 1 1 1
fluoresce
nt
lamps
Wor ventilation No  1 2. 1 3 0.9 37.
ks fan .1  5 5 8
hop No  1 2.
C: .2  5
Oven No  1 15
.1
No  1 15
.2
5 nos. sockets  1 18 0. 5
outlets 28
10/16 A
20 nos. fluorescent  1 2 1 2
lamps
Step# 10: group the (3) main distribution panel/box in one main general
distribution board MGDB and this will be the third level of distribution (LEVEL 3).

Step# 11: in level 3 and from table #2, write the main general distribution board
MGDB.

Step# 12: calculate the Max. Demand apparent power in KVA for main general
distribution board MGDB = sum of the (3) workshop main distribution boxes’ Max.
Demand apparent power in KVA X simultaneity factor for main general distribution
board MGDB.

The Table of Calculation will be as follows:

Load Type L A U A Level‐1 Level Level‐3

Works o p til p ‐2
hop a p iz p
Nam d a a a si App s A simul App
e N r ti r m aren i p t aren t
o e o e ult t m p aneit Pow er
. n n n an Pow u y Dem
t Fa t eit er l factor and
P ct P a
y Dem t Max.
o o o r
fac and KVA
w r w e
tor Max.
e M e a n
KVA
r ax r n
( . D e
t
K e i
P
V m t
o
A a y
w
) n
d f
M e
a
a r
c
x. D
t
K e
o
V m
r
A
a
n
d

M
a
x
.
K
V
A
Work lathe N 5 0 4 0.7 14. 0 1 0.9 65
s hop o . 5 4 . 8
A: . 8 9 .
1 9
N 5 0 4
o .
. 8
2
N 5 0 4
o .
 . 8
3
N 5 0 4
o .
. 8
4
pedestal N 2 0 1
drill o . .
. 8 6
1
N 2 0 1
o . .
. 8 6
2
5 nos. sockets 1 1 1 0 3.6
outlets 8 8 .
10/16 A 2
30 nos. fluorescent 3 1 3 1 3
lamps

Wor Compressor 1 0 1 1 12 0 1
ks 5 . 2 . 5
hop 8 9 .
B: 3 nos.  1 1 0 4.3 6
sockets  0 .
outlets 10/16  . 4
A  6
10 nos.  1 1 1 1
fluoresce
nt
lamps

Work ventilation N  1 2 1 35 0 3
s fan o.  . . 7
 5 9 .
 hop 1 8
C: N  1 2
o  .
.  5
2
Oven N  1 1
o  5
.
1
N  1 1
o  5
.
2
5 nos. sockets  1 1 0. 5
outlets  8 28
10/16 A
20 nos. fluorescent  1 2 1 2
lamps

3.8 Load factor

The load factor is the ratio of the average load over a designated period of time,
usually 1 year, to the maximum load occurring in that period.

Load factor = Average load / Maximum load

Free download

You can download tables for different factors listed above by clicking the following
links:

 IEEE Demand Factor Values

 Unified Facilities Criteria ‐UFC‐ Demand Factor Values
 NEC Demand Factor Values
 Demand Factor Values From Other Regulations
 Diversity Factor Values
 Unified Facilities Criteria ‐UFC‐Load Factor Values
 IEC Factor of Simultaneity Values
4‐ Methods of Electrical load estimation

There are (5) methods for Electrical Load Estimation, which are:

A‐ Preliminary load calculation

This method is subdivided into (3) sub‐methods as follows:

1. Space by space (functional area method),

2. Building method.
3. Area method.

B‐ NEC load calculations.

C‐ Final load calculations.

Note:

In this course, I will explain the preliminary load estimation methods, and the
two other methods; NEC load calculations and Final load calculations will be
explained later in course " EE‐3: Basic Electrical design course – Level II ”,
because the preliminary load estimation methods are used in the early design
phase while the other two methods are applied in the final stages of design.

5‐ Preliminary Electrical Load estimate

5.1 Difference between preliminary and final load estimate

before going through the calculation steps for Preliminary Electrical Loads, we
need to highlight the main differences between the load estimation or calculation
by the preliminary and final methods. The following table shows these differences
as follows:

S/ Preliminary load calculations Final load calculations

N
1 Units of Loads will be in
(W/ft2) watts per square foot
or/and (VA/ft2) volt‐amperes
per square foot
Units of Loads will be in KW (kilo‐
watt), or/and KVA (kilo‐volt‐ampere),
or/and HP (horse power)
 2 units are used Units can’t used interchangeably. So,
interchangeably because Hp will be converted to kVA; and kVA
unity power factor is may be multiplied by the estimated
assumed power factor to obtain kW if required

3 Unity power factor is assumed Different values of power

4 Demand and load factors
values will be selected from
tables based on the designer
estimation and they will be
Used to calculate the
transformer and service size.
5 The connected load will
be estimated based on
area or population
6 Easy and Fast calculations
factors according to load
types.
Demand and load factors values are
Real values that will document and
reflect the number, the type, the duty
rating (continuous, intermittent,
periodic, short time, and varying), and
the wattage or volt‐ampere rating of
equipment supplied by a common
source of power, and the diversity of
operation of equipment served by the
common source.
Actual demand load will be
calculated based on summation of
individual building connected
loads modified by
suitable demand and diversity factors
economical, cost effective
calculations insuring that items of
equipment and materials are
adequate to serve existing,
new, and future load demands

5.2 Preliminary load calculations sub‐methods:

As I indicated before, this method is subdivided into (3) sub‐methods as follows:

1. Space by space (functional area method),

2. Building method.
3. Area method.

Note:

A particular design may use one Preliminary load estimate method or a

combination from two or even the three methods.
5.3 Space‐by‐Space Method (functional area method)

In the Space‐by‐Space Method, the building will be divided into different

space based on its function like offices, conference halls, corridors and
lobbies, shops, parking areas, workshops and etc.
The Load density in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) is prescribed for these different
spaces, these load densities in addition to spaces area will be used to estimate the
preliminary electrical load of this building as described in below.

5.3.1 Usage conditions of Space‐by‐Space Method

 The Space‐by‐Space Method is used only for individual spaces in the building.
 The Space‐by‐Space Method may be used for any building or portion of
a building.

5.3.2 Area Measurement in space by space method

The square footage is measured from the outside surface of exterior walls to the
centerline of walls between interior partitions of the spaces.

And the sum of the Gross Interior Area equals the total Gross Area of the building.

5.3.3 Method of estimation by using Space‐by‐Space Method

in this method, we have two cases as follows:

 First case: availability of grouped load density (i.e. one value covering all
lighting, general power and power loads) in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for
each space.
 Second case: availability of individual load density (i.e. individual values
for lighting, general power and power loads) in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for
each space.

First case:

Method of estimation by using Space‐by‐Space Method will be as follows:

1‐ Divide the building into different space based on its function (for example, office,
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