ELECTRICAL LOAD CALCULATOR

Calculate electrical load requirements and recommended panel size per NEC standards

STEP 1: GENERAL LIGHTING & RECEPTACLE LOAD

DWELLING INFORMATION

REQUIRED CIRCUITS

LIGHTING LOAD CALCULATION (NEC 220.12)

General Lighting (2000 sq ft × 3 VA/sq ft):6,000 VA
Small Appliance Circuits (2 × 1,500 VA):3,000 VA
Laundry Circuit (1 × 1,500 VA):1,500 VA
Total Before Demand Factor:10500 VA
After Demand Factor (NEC 220.42):5616 VA
Lighting Load:23.4 Amps @ 240V

STEP 2: FIXED APPLIANCE LOADS

CURRENT APPLIANCES

Electric Range/Oven

Electric Water Heater

APPLIANCE LOAD CALCULATION

Electric Range/Oven:50 A
Electric Water Heater:25 A
Total Appliance Load:75 Amps @ 240V

STEP 3: HEATING & COOLING LOADS

HVAC EQUIPMENT

Note: Only the larger of heating or cooling load is used in calculation (non-coincident loads per NEC 220.60)

HVAC LOAD CALCULATION

Heating Load:12000 W (50 A @ 240V)
Cooling Load:8000 W (33 A @ 240V)
HVAC Load (larger of two):50 Amps @ 240V

STEP 4: SERVICE SIZE CALCULATION & RESULTS

CALCULATION OPTIONS

SERVICE LOAD CALCULATION SUMMARY

Lighting & Receptacle Load:23.4 A
Fixed Appliance Load:75 A
HVAC Load:50 A
Total Connected Load:148.4 A
Total Load w/ Safety Factor (25%):185.5 A
400A
Recommended Panel
60 circuit slots
46.4%
Panel Utilization
214.5A spare capacity

MATERIAL ESTIMATE

Electrical Panel (400A):1 UNIT
Main Breaker (400A):1 UNIT
Circuit Breakers (Assorted):60 SLOTS

NEC CODE COMPLIANCE & TIPS

80% RULE (NEC 220.83)

Service conductors and panels should not exceed 80% of their rated capacity for continuous loads to ensure safe operation.

DEMAND FACTORS (NEC 220.42)

Lighting loads over 3,000 VA apply a 35% demand factor, recognizing that not all loads operate simultaneously.

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION

Always consult a licensed electrician for final calculations and installations. Local codes may have additional requirements.

NAMEPLATE RATINGS

Use actual nameplate ratings for appliances when available. Estimates provided are typical values and may vary.

400A PANEL46%
60 CIRCUIT SLOTS
214.5A spare capacity