Commercial Loads — Part 2

Mar 25, 2010 10:20 AM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Calculating commercial receptacle loads and understanding the optional calculation method

Last month in Code Basics, “Commercial Loads — Part 1,” on page 24 of the January issue, we
discussed when it’s okay to apply demand factors when calculating electrical load requirements
for commercial installations. Because different sets of demand factors apply for different types of
electrical loads (and even for different types of commercial buildings), this article demonstrated
why it’s important to determine what kinds of loads you have before starting your commercial
load calculations.

Fig. 1. This example shows how to determine the multioutlet assembly calculated load on 10
workstations, which could be found in a typical office setting.

In part two of this installment, it’s time to address how to calculate receptacle loads and
introduce the optional calculation method for commercial occupancies.

The basics
The multioutlet receptacle assembly, such as a plug strip, is common in commercial applications.
For each 5 ft (or fraction thereof) of multioutlet receptacle assembly, use 180VA in your
feeder/service calculations. This is assuming that it's unlikely for the appliances plugged into this
assembly to operate simultaneously [220.14(H)].

If you expect several appliances to operate simultaneously from the same multioutlet receptacle
assembly, consider each foot (or fraction of a foot) as 180VA for feeder/service calculations. A
multioutlet receptacle assembly isn't generally considered a continuous load.

Try this sample problem to determine the feeder/service load. What's the calculated load for 10
workstations (Fig. 1), each of which has 10 ft of multioutlet receptacle assembly (not used
simultaneously) and 3 ft of multioutlet receptacle assembly (used simultaneously)?
Fig. 2. Each 15A or 20A, 125V general-use receptacle outlet is considered as 180VA per
mounting strap.

10 stations with 10 ft per station = 100 ft of multioutlet assembly (not simultaneously used)

10 stations with 3 ft per station = 30 ft of multioutlet assembly (simultaneously used)

100 ft ÷ 5 ft per section = 20 sections x 180VA = 3,600VA

30 ft ÷ 1 ft per section = 30 sections x 180VA = 5,400VA

Calculated load = 3,600VA + 5,400VA = 9,000VA

This next example shows how to size the branch circuits using 20A branch circuits.

First, find the VA allowed per circuit:

120V x 20A = 2,400VA for noncontinuous loads

Then, divide by 180VA to find how many 180VA sections a 20A circuit can serve:

2,400VA ÷ 180VA = 13

Each work bench requires 2 – 180VA sections for the 10 ft section, and 3 – 180VA sections for
the 3 ft section, which is 5 – 180VA sections per workbench. At 13 sections per circuit, a 20A
branch circuit can serve two tables.
Receptacle VA load

Fig. 3. This example demonstrates how to calculate the receptacle load for an 18,000-sq-ft office
building containing 160 receptacles.

Receptacles are generally not considered continuous loads. The load for a general-use receptacle
outlet in a non-dwelling occupancy is 180VA per strap [220.14(I)]. The maximum number of
receptacle outlets permitted on a commercial or industrial circuit depends on the circuit
ampacity. Calculate the number of receptacles per circuit by dividing the VA rating of the circuit
by 180VA for each receptacle strap (also called a yoke), as shown in Fig. 2.

Based on the Art. 100 definition, a duplex receptacle is two receptacles on the same yoke. For
the purposes of this calculation, a single receptacle or a duplex receptacle each count as 180VA
[220.14(I)].

Receptacle feeder/service calculated load

Calculate receptacle loads at not less than 180VA per outlet (strap) per 220.14(I) and fixed multi-
outlet assemblies per 220.14(H). According to 220.44, you can add these calculated loads to the
lighting loads and apply the lighting load demand factors given in Table 220.42. Alternatively,
you can use the demand factors for receptacles given in Table 220.44, which are as follows:

 First 10kVA at 100% demand factor.

 Remainder over 10kVA at 50% demand factor.

Calculate the receptacle load using 180VA for each single or multiple receptacle on one yoke or
strap [220.14(I)].
Fig. 4. Follow the rules in Sec. 220.14(F) for guidance on how to calculate the feeder/service
conductor load for an electric sign.

The receptacle calculated load for office buildings and banks is the larger calculation of (1) or
(2):

1. Determine the receptacle calculated load at 180VA per receptacle yoke [220.14(I)], then
apply the demand factor from Table 220.44.
2. Determine the receptacle calculated load at 1VA per sq ft.

It's common not to know the exact number of receptacles that will eventually be installed in an
office building or bank. The main structure is built first, then individual office space that's rented
out to each tenant will often have a custom installation — or a new tenant will remodel the space
to fit his or her needs. A calculation of 1VA per square foot allows a generic feeder/service
demand for general receptacles.

What is the receptacle calculated load for an 18,000-sq-ft bank/office building containing 160
15A and 20A, 125V receptacles (straps)? [220.14(K)(1)], as shown in Fig. 3.

160 receptacles (straps) x 180VA [220.14(I)] = 28,800VA

Total receptacle load = 28,800VA

First 10,000VA at 100% (10,000VA x 1.00 = 10,000VA)

Remainder at 50% (18,800VA x 0.50 = 9,400VA) [Table 220.44]

Receptacle calculated load = 19,400VA

Compare this to the 1VA per sq ft method [220.14(K)(2)]

18,000 x 1VA per sq ft = 18,000VA (smaller answer, omit)

Sign circuits
The NEC requires each commercial occupancy accessible to pedestrians to have at least one 20A
branch circuit for a sign [600.5(A)]. The load for the required exterior sign or outline lighting
must be a minimum of 1,200VA [220.14(F)]. A sign outlet is a continuous load, and the
feeder/service conductor must be sized at 125% of the continuous load [215.2(A)(1) and 230.42].

What is the feeder/service conductor calculated load for one electric sign (Fig. 4)?

Feeder/service calculated load = 1,200VA x 1.25 = 1,500VA

Commercial/industrial vs. residential

You've probably noticed that receptacle calculations for commercial/industrial applications differ
from those that apply to residential applications. The differences exist because in residential
locations, the receptacles are generally placed much closer together for convenience purposes but
used in a diverse manner — so that all receptacles are not heavily loaded during all periods of
time. In commercial occupancies, there are fewer rules governing receptacle placement, so they
may be placed as needed, but may be called into use more often and for longer periods of time.
In dwelling units, the receptacle load is included in the general lighting load VA calculated
according to Table 220.12 and is then subject to the demand factors of Table 220.42. The 180VA
per receptacle strap allowance does not apply to dwelling unit calculations.

In Part 1, we looked at how to calculate commercial loads using the standard method. You can
save time by using the optional method. The optional method calculations are located in Part IV
of Art. 220. The optional method calculations vary according to the type of building:

 New dwelling units (220.82)

 Existing dwelling units (220.83)
 Multifamily dwellings (220.84)
 Schools (220.86)
 New restaurants (220.88)

All-electric restaurant
If a restaurant has electric space heating, electric air-conditioning, or both, you can use the
optional method, which consists of the following two steps:

1. Determine the total connected load. Add the nameplate rating of all loads at 100%,
including both the air-conditioning and heating load [Table 220.88 Note].
2. Apply the demand factors from Table 220.88 to the total connected load calculated in
Step 1.
An example will help illustrate how the optional method works for restaurants. What's the
calculated load for an all-electric restaurant (120/208V, 3-phase) that has a total connected load
of 300kVA?

Total connected load = 300kVA

First 200kVA at 80% (200kVA x 0.80 = 160kVA)

Next 201kVA to 325kVA at 10% (100kVA x 0.10 = 10kVA

Total calculated load = 170kVA

I = VA ÷ (E x 1.732)

I = 170,000VA ÷ (208V x 1.732)

I = 170,000VA ÷ 360V = 472A

Paralleling two conductors per phase: 472A ÷ 2 raceways = 236A

250kcmil is rated 255A at 75ºC: 255A x 2 conductors (in parallel) = 510A

The minimum neutral size allowed when paralleling conductors is 1/0 AWG [250.24(C)(2) and
310.4].

What size grounding electrode conductor do you need if the service uses two sets of 250kcmil
conductors in parallel?

First, find the equivalent area of the parallel conductors:

250kcmil x 2 conductors = 500kcmil [Table 250.66, Note 1]

500kcmil requires a 1/0 AWG grounding electrode conductor [Table 250.66].

The largest grounding electrode conductor to a ground rod is 6 AWG. The largest to a concrete
encased electrode (Ufer) is 4 AWG [250.66(A) and 250.66(B)].
Not all-electric restaurant
What if the restaurant isn't all-electric? Try calculating the load for a not all-electric restaurant
(120/208V, 3-phase) that has a total connected load of 300kVA.

Total connected load = 300kVA

First 200kVA at 100% (200kVA x 1.00 = 200kVA

201kVA to 325kVA at 50% (100kVA x 0.50 = 50kVA

Total calculated load = 250kVA

I = VA ÷ (E x 1.732)

I = 250,000VA ÷ (208V x 1.732)

I = 250,000VA ÷ 360V = 694A

Paralleling two conductors per phase: 694A ÷ 2 raceways = 347A

500kcmil is rated 380A at 75°C: (380A x 2 = 760A).

When a calculation result does not correspond to a standard overcurrent protection size, we are
allowed to round up to the next standard size, as long as it does not exceed 800A [240.4(B)].
This would allow the use of an 800A overcurrent device [240.6(A)]

The minimum neutral size when paralleling conductors is 1/0 AWG [250.24(C)(2) and 310.4].

Fortunately, you don't have to use both the standard and optional methods and then pick the one
that is the larger. You are allowed to use either approach, so you can save time by using the
optional method.