Typical load computation
A single family dwelling has a floor area of 64 sq. meters with small appliances,
laundry and air-conditioning loads. The incoming power supply is 230 volts line-
to-ground. Determine the following:
Size of the branch circuits for lighting, appliance and other loads
Size of the conduit pipes
Size of the service entrance conductors and service equipment
1. Ciircuit 1 - Lighting
Compute the total lighting load:
From Table 2.20.2.3, the minimum lighting load factor for family
dwelling is 33 volt-ampere per sq. meters
64 square meters X 33 volt-ampere per square meters = 2112 volt-
amperes
Compute for the current load:
2112 volt-amps / 230 volts = 9.18 amps
c. Determine the size of the conductor:
From Table 1.10.1.16, use 2.0 sq. mm. (#14 AWG), TW copper wire
d. Determine the size of conduit:
From Table 2-9, use conduit of size 13mm diameter (up to 3 wires size
#14 AWG)
e. Determine the size of circuit breaker;
From Table 2.10.2.6 (Branch circuit requirements), use one 15-ampere
circuit breaker
2. Circuit 2 - Small Appliance
a. Compute the total small appliance load:
-From Section 1.10.1.11c.1, provide at least two 20- ampere small-
appliance branch circuits
-From Section 2.20.3.13a, in each dwelling unit the load shall be 1500
volt-amperes for each small appliance branch circuit
Two 20-ampere branch circuit @ 1500 volt-amperes = 3000 volt-
amperes
b. Compute for the current load:
3000 volt-amps / 230 volts = 13.04 amps
c. Determine the size of the conductor:
Note: Minimum required 20-ampere branch circuit
From Table 1.10.1.16, use 3.5 sq. mm. (#12 AWG), TW copper wire
d. Determine the size of conduit:
From Table 2-9, use conduit of size 13mm diameter (up to 2 wires size
#12 AWG)
e. Determine the size of circuit breaker;
From Table 2.10.2.6 (Branch circuit requirements), use two 20-ampere
circuit breakers
3. Circuit 3 - Laundry
a. Compute the laundry machine load:
-From Section 1.10.1.11c.2, provide at least one 20- ampere circuit to
supply laundry receptacle outlets
-From Section 2.20.3.13b, a load of not less than 1500 volt-amperes
shall be included for the laundry circuit
One 20-ampere branch circuit @ 1500 volt-amperes = 1500 volt-
amperes
b. Compute for the current load:
1500 volt-amps / 230 volts = 6.52 amps
c. Determine the size of the conductor:
Note: Minimum required 20-ampere branch circuit
From Table 1.10.1.16, use 3.5 sq. mm. (#12 AWG), TW copper wire
d. Determine the size of conduit:
From Table 2-9, use conduit of size 13mm diameter (up to 2 wires size
#12 AWG)
e. Determine the size of circuit breaker;
From Table 2.10.2.6 (Branch circuit requirements), use one 20-ampere
circuit breakers
4. Other Load: (Air-conditioning unit - 1.5 hp):
a. Compute air-conditioning current:
From Table 4.30.4.2 (Motor Loads), 1.5 hp air-con at 230 volts will have
10 amperes current
10 mperes X 230 volts = 2300 volt-amperes
b. Compute for the current load:
2300 volt-amps / 230 volts = 10 amps
c. Determine the size of the conductor:
Note: Minimum required 20-ampere branch circuit
From Table 1.10.1.16, use 3.5 sq. mm. (#12 AWG), TW copper wire
d. Determine the size of conduit:
From Table 2-9, use conduit of size 13mm diameter (up to 2 wires size
#12 AWG)
e. Determine the size of circuit breaker;
From Table 2.10.2.6 (Branch circuit requirements), use one 20-ampere
circuit breakers
5. Summary of circuit breaker protection for 5-branch circuits:
No Size-amps Branch Circuit
1 15 Lighting load
2 20 Small appliance load
1 20 Laundry outlet
1 20 Air-conditioning unit
1 20 Spare
6. Application of Demand Factors (See table 2.20.3.3):
Sub-total computed load (lighting load + small appliance load + laundry
load)
= 2112 + 3000 +1500 = 6612 volt-amperes
First 3000 volt-amperes at 100 % demand factor = 3000 volt-amperes
Remainder at 35% demand factor= 3612 X 0.35 = 1264.2 volt-amperes
Net sub-total computed load = 3000 = 4264.2 volt-
+ 1264.2 amperes
7. Total computed load:
From Section 4.30.2.4 and 4.40.1.7, motor loads shall have an ampacity not
less than 125 percent of the full-load current rating of the highest rated
motor plus the sum of the full-load current ratings of all the other motors in
the group
Net other/ motor load = motor load X 1.25 = 2300 X 1.25 = 2875 volt-
amperes
Net total computed load = Net sub-total computed load + Net other/ motor
loads
= 4264.2 + 2875 = 7139.2 volt-amperes
8. Total full load current = Net total computed load / 230 volts
= 7139.2 / 230 = 31.04 amperes
9. Service equipments;
From Section 4.30.4.2 and Table 4.30.4.2, for single phase motors, factor of
inverse time current contribution of air-conditioning unit is 250%.
Maximum current of the circuit (during fault condition):
= (Net sub-total computed load + motor loads X 250%)/ 230
volts
= (4264.2 + 2300 X 2.5)/ 230 = 10014.2 / 230 = 43.54 amps
Use one 50-amperes, 240 volts molded-case circuit breaker for main
protection
10. Service entrance conductor:
From Table 3.10.1.16, #6 AWG is 55 amperes which is more than total full
load current and also more than maximum current during fault.
Use 14 mm2 (#6 AWG) copper THW wires
11. Panelboard rating:
50 AT main CB, 1-pole, 240 volts, 100 AF, 8-branch circuits
