Appliance loads

[DanZ]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to work on a spread sheet we can have around when we're working on electrical plans, that shows the loads available, and "normal" loads we use for equipment. I've got the specs for the dental equipment, and the HVAC equipment changes drastically on every job, but things like the microwave, fridge, washer/dryer, disposal, dishwasher, and under counter fridges don't normally vary as widely.:roll: And we don't know most of what will be put in until the Dr. picks it out. I've got what we've used from my previously employer, but I have to admit, I have no idea where the numbers came from, and I've tried looking up specs from manufacturers, but all I get is "Sorry, all we have is voltage, kWh, and breaker size. Here's a 1-800 # you can call if you would like to buy one of our fine appliances..."

So, I have to ask, What ratings do you guys use when you're calculating loads? How id you come up with them?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Here is a government site that may help...you may have to scroll down the page


Here is another

 

[markstg]

For my panelboard schedules, if I can't get a KW, VA, or A draw, and only have what the branch circuit size is, I use 80% of the branch circuit size as my load. If manufacturer says 120V, 20A dedicated circuit, than in my load calculation I use .8 x 20 =16A, 16A x 120V = 1920 VA.

If you have to do this for alot of the equipment, your panelboard will get big in a hurry. I would also look for what OCP they have internal to the equipment from their wiring diagrams. Say they state the above, but the internal wiring diagram shows a 10A fuse. Then I would use 10A as my load for calculation purposes.

Have you ever gone to the sites where the equipment is installed and read the nameplates, to see if Actual Load Values are stamped there.

Good Luck.

 

[DanZ]

Pierre, Thanks for the links!

Mark, I get out when I can, which isn't as often as I would like! Usually, I don't make it out to a job past the final finish stages when a lot of that equipment is put in, so I have very limited data to go off of. I've tried the full safe load of a breaker a couple of times, and the service doubled (this was way back when, before we could get equipment ratings for the dental equipment from the suppliers). Most of the other (normal consumer appliances) equipment I had old numbers I could plug in, but now I would like to have something I can fall back on, and know how I came up with that number!:grin: