In branch circuit receptacle load calculations, the load is the larger of which two values?

In branch circuit receptacle load calculations, the load is the larger of which two values?

• A. 1 VA per square foot
• B. 180 VA per outlet
• C. The larger of 1 VA per square foot or 180 VA per outlet
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

In branch-circuit receptacle load calculations, you determine the receptacle portion of the load by taking the larger value between the space’s floor area (1 VA per square foot) and the number of receptacles (180 VA per outlet). The reason for using the larger of the two is to ensure the circuit has enough capacity no matter how the space is used or how many outlets are installed. The 1 VA per square foot accounts for typical loads distributed across a room, while 180 VA per outlet accounts for the possibility of higher demand near outlets with devices plugged in. For example, a room of 80 square feet would yield 80 VA if you use the per-square-foot rule. If there are four receptacles, the per-outlet method would give 4 × 180 = 720 VA. Since 720 VA is larger, the receptacle load for that circuit would be 720 VA, not 80 VA. This larger value is then combined with other loads per the applicable code provisions.

In branch-circuit receptacle load calculations, you determine the receptacle portion of the load by taking the larger value between the space’s floor area (1 VA per square foot) and the number of receptacles (180 VA per outlet). The reason for using the larger of the two is to ensure the circuit has enough capacity no matter how the space is used or how many outlets are installed. The 1 VA per square foot accounts for typical loads distributed across a room, while 180 VA per outlet accounts for the possibility of higher demand near outlets with devices plugged in.

For example, a room of 80 square feet would yield 80 VA if you use the per-square-foot rule. If there are four receptacles, the per-outlet method would give 4 × 180 = 720 VA. Since 720 VA is larger, the receptacle load for that circuit would be 720 VA, not 80 VA. This larger value is then combined with other loads per the applicable code provisions.