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Branch-Circuit, Feeder and
Service Calculations, Part III
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By Charles R. Miller (/contributing-authors/charles-

r-miller)
 Published In May 2006

220.14 Other Loads—All Occupancies

Article 220 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) contains

requirements for calculating branch-circuit, feeder and service

loads. Knowing how to perform load calculations is an essential

part of being an electrician. While calculating feeders and services

may not be needed as often as branch circuits, it is still important to

Related Video
know how such calculations are performed. Results from

calculations in Article 220 must be applied to other sections for a

Code-compliant installation. Results can be used in conjunction with

provisions in Article 240 to find the minimum size overcurrent

protective devices. Results can also be used along with provisions

in Article 210 to find minimum sizes of conductors. Last month’s

column concluded by covering lighting loads for specified

occupancies in 220.12. This month, the discussion continues with

requirements for outlets in all occupancies.

Calculation provisions for general lighting are covered in 220.12 and

Table 220.12. While 220.12 includes outlets used for general

illumination, it does not include calculation provisions for general-

use receptacles. In all occupancies, the minimum load for each

outlet for general-use receptacles shall not be less than that

calculated in 220.14(A) through (L).

Outlets that do not provide power for general illumination also fall

under the provisions in 220.14. Loads shown in this section are

based on nominal branch-circuit voltages, which are listed in 220.5

(A). Because of an exception to this section, calculating loads for

outlets serving switchboards and switching frames in telephone

exchanges is not required.

Specific appliances (and loads not covered in the rest of this

section) are addressed first in this section. An outlet for a specific

appliance or other load not covered in 220.14(B) through (L) must

be calculated based on the ampere rating of the appliance or load

served. [220.14(A)] The load for an appliance is simply the ampere

rating of that appliance. Appliance nameplates contain certain

information. Current and voltage ratings may be part of the

information provided on the nameplate. If the appliance’s

nameplate shows the current in amperes, no calculation is

necessary. For example, what is the branch-circuit load for a 10-

ampere, 120-volt dishwasher in a dwelling? Since the rating on the

nameplate is 10 amperes, the branch-circuit load for this

dishwasher is 10 amperes (see Figure 1). Although the appliance in

this example is in a dwelling, 220.14(A) pertains to appliances in all

occupancies.

An appliance’s nameplate may or may not contain the rating in

amperes. Each electrical appliance shall be provided with a

nameplate giving the identifying name and the rating in volts and

amperes or in volts and watts. [422.60(A)] If volts and watts (or volt-

amperes) are provided and amperes are needed, a calculation will

be necessary. Use Ohm’s Law to find an unknown factor (or

quantity) when there are at least two known factors. Ohm’s Law

states that the current in a circuit is equal to the circuit’s voltage

divided by the resistance of the circuit. An Ohm’s Law wheel

containing 12 formulas is shown in Figure 2. Terms that make up

the Ohm’s Law wheel include current (I), voltage (E), resistance (R)

and power (W) (see Figure 2).

When choosing a formula from the Ohm’s Law wheel, start with the

unknown factor and select the appropriate letter from the inner

circle. Next, out of the three formulas for that particular letter in the

inner circle, select the formula containing the two known factors.

Finally, insert the known factors into the formula and solve for the

unknown factor. For example, an appliance has a nameplate rating

of 1,200 watts at 120 volts. This appliance’s current rating is not on

the nameplate. If current is needed, a calculation is necessary.

Since the unknown factor is current, find the symbol “I.” The lower

left quadrant of the Ohm’s Law wheel contains three formulas to

solve for amperes. In this example, the two known factors are watts

and volts. Next, select the formula containing “W” for watts and “E”

for volts. To find amperes, divide watts by volts (I = W ÷ E). The

appliance in this example draws 10 amperes (1,200 ÷ 120 = 10) (see

Figure 3).
Two alternative wheels may be easier to remember than one Ohm’s

Law wheel. “PIE” and “EIR” charts are shown in Figure 4. Note the

symbol “W” for watts has been replaced by the symbol “P” for

power. This makes it easier to memorize it as the “PIE” chart (see

Figure 4). Most unknown factors can be calculated by using one or

a combination of both charts.

When using the “PIE” and “EIR” charts, start by selecting the chart

containing both known factors and the unknown factor. Find the

formula by covering the unknown factor. If the two remaining

factors are side by side, multiply. If one known factor is on top and

one on the bottom, divide the top known factor by the bottom

known factor. For example, volt-amperes (VA) are needed for an

appliance in a service calculation.

The appliance has a nameplate rating of 120 volts and 10 amperes.

Because there is no wattage or volt-ampere rating on the nameplate,

a calculation is necessary. Since the two known factors are volts

and amperes and the unknown factor is volt-amperes, select the

“PIE” chart. Next, cover the “P” because it is the unknown factor.

Because “I” and “E” are side by side, multiply the two known factors

(volts and amperes.) The power required for the appliance in this

example is 1,200 watts (120 x 10 = 1,200) (see Figure 5).

Calculating appliance loads in accordance with 220.14(A) is the first

step in determining ratings of branch-circuits, feeders, and services.

Knowing which other sections of the NEC to apply is as important

as knowing how to calculate the load. Appliance branch circuits

must not only be installed in accordance with Article 210, but also

with Article 422. Article 422 covers electric appliances used in any

occupancy. While some of the requirements are general appliance

requirements, other requirements in Article 422 pertain to specific

types of appliances. Before installing an appliance, search for all

applicable requirements.
Next month’s Code in Focus column continues the discussion of

load calculations.     EC

MILLER, owner of Lighthouse Educational Services, teaches classes

and seminars on the electrical industry. He is the author of

“Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code” and NFPA’s

“Electrical Reference.” He can be reached at 615.333-3336,

charles@charlesRmiller.com (mailto:charles@charlesRmiller.com)

or www.charlesRmiller.com (http://www.charlesRmiller.com).

Tags:
National Electrical Code (/tags/national-
electrical-code)

About the Author

Charles R. Miller
(/contributing-
authors/charles-r-miller)
Code Contributor

Charles R. Miller, owner of Lighthouse

Educational Services, teaches custom-tailored
seminars on the National Electrical Code and
NFPA 70E. He is the author of “Illustrated
Guide to the National Electrical Code” and
“Electrician's Exam Prep Manual.”...
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