CIRCUIT SAFE LOAD

Guidelines
Guidelines
• Wirings for electrical circuitry
• RHW, T, THW, TW, THWN, XHHW
• A single appliance shall NOT draw a max load of
• >12 A (if 15 A circuit)
• >16 A (if 20 A circuit)
• > 24 A (if 30 A circuit)
• If branch circuit is combined with lighting or portable appliances
• Shall NOT be allowed to draw > 7.5 A (15 A circuit)
• Shall NOT be allowed to draw > 10 A (20 A circuit)
• Heavy lamp holders shall be rated NOT < 750 W
• 30, 40, & 50 A shall not be used for fixed lighting
Guidelines
• When loads are connected for long periods, actual load shall be
computed NOT to exceed 80% of fuse rating
• Electric motors, AC and other similar units
• A continuous type of load shall be considered at 125 % of actual load
in all load calculations
• Receptacles feeding portable or steady appliance shall be limited to
80% of their rating
• Number of outlets in a circuit shall be limited to:
• 6 outlets on 15 A circuit
• 8 outlets on 20 A circuit
Example
• A single family dwelling is to be circuited with
the following requirements as shown.
Determine the ff:
• Size of the branch circuit wire:
• lighting outlets
• Small appliance load
• Other loads (1.1 kW stove, 2.5 kW water heater)
• Size of conduit pipes
• Size or rating of overcurrent protection device

• Assume 230 VAC, 60 Hz service, 1-phase

Solution
• Circuit 1 (Lighting)

• As per PEC, “100 Watts shall be the

maximum load for each household
lighting outlet.”
• By direct counting, 8 outlets = 800 W
• 800 W / 230 V = 3.48 A
• Referring to table of Allowable
Ampacities of wires & overcurrent
protection device:
• 2.0 sq. mm. (AWG 14) wire
• 15 A circuit breaker or fuse
• 13 mm conduit (pvc or metal)

Q: how about AWG 16 or 18?

Solution
• Circuit 2 (small appliance)
• As per PEC, “for each single receptacle
shall be considered at no less than 180
W rating (per plug).”
• By direct counting, 6 duplex outlets (12
plugs)
• 12 plugs x 180 W/ outlet = 2,160 W
• 2,160 W / 230 V = 9.39 A
• Referring to table of allowable
ampacities of wires & overcurrent
protection device:
• 3.5 sq. mm. (AWG 12)
• 20 A circuit breaker or fuse
• 13 mm conduit pipe (pvc or metal)
Solution
• Circuit 3 (other loads)
• 1,100 W + 2,500 W = 3,600 W
• 3,600 W / 230 V = 15.65 A
• Referring to table of allowable
ampacities of wires & overcurrent
protection devices:
• 2.0 sq. mm (AWG 12) wire
• 20 A circuit breaker or fuse
• 13 mm pipe (pvc or metal)
Solution
• Service entrance size
• Total connected load = lighting + Small appliance + other loads
= 800 + 2,160 + 3,600 W = 6,560 W
• Total current draw = 6,560 W / 230 V = 28.52 A
• Applying 80% derating factor, total draw is 22.8 A
• Referring to table of allowable ampacities of wire:
• 8.0 sq. mm (AWG 8) wire
• 20 mm pipe

• Q: how about AWG 10 as service entrance wire?

• A: as per the Code, minimum size is 8.0 sq. mm for SE.

Design Project (AE Workshop) – by group
• 230 VAC, single phase electrical service
• Loads to be used inside the shop
• Welding machines
• 2 units 300 A AC transformer
• 2 units 200 A DC inverter
• Air compressor (3 hp)
• Plasma cutter (60 A)
• Metal lathe machine (5 hp)
• Wood lathe machine (3 hp)
• Portable loads
• Angle grinders
• Cut-off saw
• Drill press
• Other power tools
• Determine:
• Size of branch circuits (lighting, small
appliance, other loads)
• Size of overcurrent protection device
• Note: specify all types of wires to be
used as well as the fuse or circuit
breaker
• Complete with AutoCAD drawings
• Scheduling of loads
• Lighting & CO floor plan & layout
• Bill of Materials (w/ Costs)