Continuous Load Percentage

[strippers&dykes]

Hey all,

So I'm looking for a percentage as to what a continuous load can be in a distribution panel:

EX: 200a 1ph 120/240v is calc @ 191.6a on phase 'A' and 174.2 on phase'B'. I was at the understanding that a continuous load can be 80% percent of the interruption device e.g 200a*.80= 160a of continuous load.

Just looking for clarification of this.

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[iwire]

You really can't determine how much continuos load is on a panel with a simple amperage reading.

You would need to do load calculations per article 220 and as you did that you would carry items that meet the definition of continuos load at 125%.

 

[m sleem]

If these readings can not. Be working continuously for 3hrs then you'r ok.

 

[iwire]

If these readings can not. Be working continuously for 3hrs then you'r ok.

You cannot just look at the entire load on a panel for one hour or a year and determine what percentage of the loads on it are continuos loads. You would have to look at each load individually.