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Branch Circuit Design Calculations Part Three

In the previous article " Branch Circuit Design Calculations Part Two " in our new
course " Course EE-3: Basic Electrical design course Level II ", I explained some
Additional definitions and features of Branch circuits.
Also, I listed the (5) categories of Lighting Branch circuits, which were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

General lighting.
Show-window lighting.
Track lighting.
Sign and outline lighting.
Other lighting.

Today I will explain the design calculations for the general lighting branch circuits as
follows.
You can review the following previous articles for more information:

Branch Circuit Design Calculations Part One

1- General lighting branch circuit

1.1 Definition:

General lighting outlets are those Outlets intended for general use for fixed-in-place
luminaires (lighting fixtures). They are only used for lighting for the normal use of the
occupants and Its intensity should be adequate for any type of work performed in the
area.

1.2 Lighting fixtures not included in this category:

Specialized task lighting (Show-window lighting, Track lighting, accent, specialty,
or display lighting).

Any special lighting for workshops, photography labs, or studios that may be
located in the dwelling.

1.3 Calculation Method

Determining the general lighting load as per NEC will be based on the load per area
method as follows:

The NEC cod introduce minimum general lighting loads (in VA/ft2) for various types
of buildings in Table 220.12.

Within the same building, there are normally several different types of areas like
storage, office, hallways, and cafeterias, these areas must be considered separately if
their (VA/ft2) values are available in table 220.12.

The general lighting load is calculated by multiplying the floor area (in ft2) of a
building by its unit load (in VA/ft2) derived from the above table.

If the load is continuous (as in Most commercial structures), the calculated load is
multiplied by 1.25 (the inverse of 80%) to determine the circuit requirements. (Please
review the definition for the term continuous loads in Article)

How to calculate the Floor area?

The floor area for each floor shall be calculated from the outside dimensions of
the building, dwelling unit, or other area involved.

For dwelling units, the calculated floor area shall not include open porches,
garages, or unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use (like some attics,
cellars, and crawl spaces).

Example#1:
A 25,000 ft2 office building is being designed. What is the general lighting load and what
load does the circuit need to supply?
Solution:
From Table 220.12, the unit load for an office building is 3.5 VA/ft2.
The general lighting load is determined by multiplying this value by the square footage of
the building:
The general lighting load = 3.5 VA/ft2 x 25,000 ft2 = 87,500 VA
So, the general lighting load is 87,500 volt-amperes.
However, the load is continuous and can only be 80% of the load supplied by the circuit.
This value must be multiplied by 1.25 to determine the circuit requirements:
the circuit rating = 87,500 VA x 1.25 = 109,375 VA
so, The circuit is designed to supply 109.375 KVA

1.4 Notes for table 220.12:

Important!!!
Dont apply the values of table 220.12 before reviewing the following notes.

The unit values herein are based on minimum load conditions and 100 percent
power factor (i.e. Load in VA = Load in Watt) and may not provide sufficient lighting for
the installation contemplated. So, the designer can choose a higher value based on the
existing design conditions.

Under any conditions, dont use values less than that specified in table 220.12,
there are no exceptions.

The general lighting load unit values specified in table 220.12 includes the
following loads:

1.
All general-use receptacle outlets of 20-ampere rating or less, including
receptacles connected to Bathroom Branch Circuits,
2.
The outdoor receptacle outlets,
3.
general-use receptacle Outlets used in Basements, Garages, and Accessory
Buildings.
4.
Wall lighting outlet used in Habitable Rooms,
5.
Wall lighting outlets used in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and
detached garages,
6.
Wall lighting outlet used in Storage or Equipment Spaces (like attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements),
7.
Wall lighting outlet used in Guest Rooms or Guest Suites In hotels, motels,
or similar occupancies.
So, no need to add the above outlets in load calculations per NEC method.
The NEC method and table 220.12 are applied for any Additions to Existing
Installations for both dwelling and non-dwelling installations.

Energy savingtype calculations (which used to reduce the connected lighting load
and actual power consumption) are not permitted to be used to determine the minimum
calculated lighting load if they produce loads less than the load calculated according to
220.12.

Example#2:
A (2) floors (basement and main) dwelling unit have dimensions as show in below image.
Calculate the total general lighting load for this unit and the Minimum Number of General

Lighting Branch Circuits.

Solution:
Step#1: Calculate the total area of the dwelling unit as follows:
a- Basement area:
area A = 17 FT 9 IN. X (4 FT 4 IN. + 18 FT 6 IN. + 6 FT 0 IN.) = 17 FT 9 IN. X 28 FT 10 IN.
= 512.0 FT2
Note that as mentioned in notes for table 220.12, the crawl space and garage areas are
not considered as they are included in the NEC method calculation.
b- Main floor area:
AREA A= 6 FT 0 IN. X (11 FT 0 IN. + 17 FT 1 IN.) = 6 FT 0 IN. X 28 FT 1 IN. = 168.5 FT2
AREA B= 18 FT 6 IN. X (6 FT 3 IN. + 3 FT 8 IN. + 11 FT 0 IN. + 17 FT 1 IN.) = 18 FT 6 IN. X
38 FT 0 IN. = 730.0 FT2
AREA C= 4 FT 4 IN. X (3 FT 8 IN. + 11 FT 0 IN. + 17 FT 1 IN.) = 4 FT 4 IN. X 31 FT 9 IN. =
137.5 FT2
AREA D= 20 FT 2 IN. X (3 FT 8 IN. + 11 FT 0 IN.) = 20 FT 2 IN. X 14 FT 8 IN. = 295.5 FT2
Total main floor area (IN FT2) = 1304.5 FT2

So, Total area of the dwelling unit = 512.0 FT2 + 1304.5 FT2 = 1816.5 ft2

Step#2: The unit load listed in Table 220.12 shows 3 volt-amperes per ft2 for dwelling
units.
The general lighting load for the dwelling unit = 1816.5 ft2 x 3 watts per ft2 = 5449.5
watts

1.5 Notes for NEC method for calculation of lighting branch circuit load

Important!!!
The NEC doesnt introduce a procedure for calculating the actual full load for
the individual lighting fixtures in a general lighting branch circuit.

If the required information for calculating the actual full load for every individual
lighting fixture in the circuit is available, in this time, you can calculate the actual load
for the lighting branch circuit by summing of actual full load for its individual lighting
fixtures.

In this case, you need to compare the values obtained from NEC method with that
obtained from actual load method and select the greater load value to be used in the
design.

But actually, The NEC method for calculation of lighting load is not required if the
actual full load for every individual lighting fixture in the circuit is determined.

Methods for determining the actual full load for every individual lighting fixture in
the circuit is explained in our course " Advanced Course for Lighting Design - Level I "
and I recommend reviewing these methods very well.

Section 220.18 (b) states that For circuits supplying lighting units that have
ballasts, transformers, autotransformers, or LED drivers, the calculated load shall be
based on the total ampere ratings of such units and not on the total watts of the lamps.
This means that we must take into account the losses in light fixture switchgear (ballast,
internal wiring, etc.) so, you must use the current rating of the ballast, not the tube
wattage.

Example#3:
A fluorescent lighting fixtures with 4 numbers 2 feet lamps, 18 watt/ lamp. Calculate the
actual load for this lighting fixture.
Solution:
The actual total load of fixture = 4 lamps x 18 watt/lamp + losses
So, we cant know the actual losses, we will use the same equation in another form
The actual total load of fixture = 4 ballast x watt/ballast = 4 x 20 w = 80 watt

1.6 Determining the Minimum Number of General Lighting Branch Circuits

Example#4:
For the dwelling unit in example# 2 above, Calculate the Minimum Number of General
Lighting Branch Circuits.
Solution:
From example#2, the general lighting load for the dwelling unit = 5449.5 watts
However, the load is continuous and can only be 80% of the total load. This value must be
multiplied by 1.25 to determine the circuits requirements:
the Load Rating = 5449.5 watts x 1.25 = 6811.9 watts
The total ampere = 6811.9 watts / 120 V = 56.77 A (note that , NEC method assumed that
PF=1)
If we design 15-ampere circuits:
The number of the general lighting circuits = 56.77/ 15 = 3.78 circuits.

If we design 20-ampere circuits:

The number of the general lighting circuits = 56.77/ 20 = 2.84 circuits

Because it is not possible to have a partially powered electrical circuit that operates
properly, and because these are minimum units, the total number of branch circuits with
use of 15-ampere circuits is (4) circuits (3.78 circuits rounded up to 4 circuits) and (3)
circuits with use of 20-ampere branch circuits (2.84 circuits rounded up to 3 circuits).

1.7 Determination of maximum Permissible number of lighting fixtures on a general

lighting branch circuit
You need to review the definition for branch circuit rating explained in the previous
article " Branch Circuit Design Calculations Part Two ".
Rules to be applied are as follows:
Section 210.23 states that:
1.
In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating.
2.
An individual branch circuit shall be permitted to supply any load (any
number of outlets) for which it is rated.

Section 210.23(A)(2) permits a 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit supplying lighting

outlets to also supply utilization equipment fastened in place, such as appliances or an air
conditioner. Under the conditions specified in this requirement, the utilization equipment
load must not exceed 50 % of the branch-circuit ampere rating (7.5 amperes on a 15ampere circuit and 10 amperes on a 20-ampere circuit).

Note: according to 210.52(B), such fastened-in-place equipment is not permitted on the

small-appliance branch circuits required in a kitchen, dining room, and so on.

Example#5:
A 4 feet long, two-lamp fluorescent fixture ballast draws 0.7 amps at 120 volts. How
many of these fixtures can be connected on a 20-amp circuit?
Solution:
This is a continuous load, so the current used by the lights can only be 80% of the circuit
current rating:
Allowable current = 20 A x 0.80 = 16 A

By dividing the allowable load by the load of each lamp, the total number of Fixtures is
determined:
the total number of Fixtures = 16 A /0.7 A = 22.8 fixtures
So, the maximum number of fixtures on the circuit is 22.

Example#6:
In example#5, If some utilization equipment fastened in place will be added to the circuit
How many of these fixtures can be connected to the circuit?
Solution:
This is a continuous load, so the current used by the lights can only be 80% of the circuit
current rating:
Allowable current = 20 A x 0.80 = 16 A
By following section 210.23(A)(2), the Allowable current = 16 A x 50% = 8 A
By dividing the allowable load by the load of each lamp, the total number of lamps is
determined:
the total number of Fixtures = 8 A /0.7 A = 11.4 fixtures
So, the maximum number of fixtures on the circuit is 11.

Important!!
For good design, usually assume that the general lighting branch circuits will
have some utilization equipment fastened in place and must be derated to 50%
of its rating.

Special Rules In non-dwelling buildings:

Lighting branch circuits that supply fixed lighting units with heavy-duty
Lampholders can have 30 A or 40 A ratings.

Lighting Outlets for heavy-duty Lampholders shall be calculated at a minimum of

600 volt-amperes.

Use The above rules when it is applicable.

In the next article, I will explain design calculations for other categories of Lighting
Branch circuits. so, please keep following.

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5 comments:
1.
NAVEEN SJune 16, 2013 at 6:14 AM
Hello
Eng.
Ali,
An industrial information has been conveyed with every minute detail. Contents are
mind
blowing
for
any
practicing
professional.
Heads
up.
Lastly, not trying to point out the mistake here but there was confusion in the
mismatch of data provided in the Example-2. Hoping this would clear for the other
readers,
this
is
being
pointed
out:
1) Dimension in the pictorial representation has 10 FT 6 IN in the place of 18 FT 6 IN.
2) In Main Floor area calculation for Area-B, computed total area would be 703 FT2 in
the place of 730 FT2 (Total Area has no mismatch though).
Once

Naveen
Reply
Replies

again,

thanks

for

the

priceless

contribution

of

information.

1.
Ali HassanJune 17, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Hi

Naveen,

thanks for your cooperation for highlighting any mistakes, and i think
that your note#1 is not accurate the two lengths are identical in the
figure of example#2. but your note#2 is accurate , the area "B" must
equal 703 ft2, i think it was a typing error. thanks again.
2.
NAVEEN SJune 19, 2013 at 2:28 AM
I downloaded the image & viewed in PICASA. I may be wrong though.
Thanks for responding.
Reply

2.
Anteneh NebyuDecember 24, 2014 at 4:24 PM
nice
Reply

3.
Anteneh NebyuDecember 24, 2014 at 4:25 PM
nice
Reply
Leave a comment to help all for better understanding

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