Computer workstation load and demand load computing
- Thread starter vkvgpal
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sceepe
Senior Member
Re: Computer workstation load and demand load computing
I think I know where the original poster is coming from. IMO, this is a design issue not an NEC issue. I design computer rooms all the time for commercial / institutional. I assume 400W per computer and never put more than 3 on a 20 Amp circuit. Makes for lots of circuits in a 30 computer room, but I have never had any complaints. The simple fact is that the owner is not going to complain that you provided too much power to his computer lab. However, let a breaker trip when the laser printer fire up and you will have a lot of explaining to do.
No need to amend the NEC. As long as the overcurrent protection is matched to the wire size, you are not going to have a safety issue. You might trip a few breakers but your not going to burn the place down.
Estimating the loads and diversity factors is a design issue that strikes a balance between being overly conservative and overly cost conscience. The NEC gives you a minimum but you must figure out how fare above this minimum you need to go.
As for the Isolated grounds, IMO, if they are installed in an NEC compliant manner, they are just about useless in most commercial / institutional environments. Just a waste of $
I think I know where the original poster is coming from. IMO, this is a design issue not an NEC issue. I design computer rooms all the time for commercial / institutional. I assume 400W per computer and never put more than 3 on a 20 Amp circuit. Makes for lots of circuits in a 30 computer room, but I have never had any complaints. The simple fact is that the owner is not going to complain that you provided too much power to his computer lab. However, let a breaker trip when the laser printer fire up and you will have a lot of explaining to do.
No need to amend the NEC. As long as the overcurrent protection is matched to the wire size, you are not going to have a safety issue. You might trip a few breakers but your not going to burn the place down.
Estimating the loads and diversity factors is a design issue that strikes a balance between being overly conservative and overly cost conscience. The NEC gives you a minimum but you must figure out how fare above this minimum you need to go.
As for the Isolated grounds, IMO, if they are installed in an NEC compliant manner, they are just about useless in most commercial / institutional environments. Just a waste of $
Re: Computer workstation load and demand load computing
We have also standardized on 400W per workstation (office/computer labs/etc not data centers). Although we design up to 4 on a 20a circuit in most cases.
Reality is NEC as with any code is a minimum. You'd better use your head and take each projects unique requirements into account which Pal is trying to do.
You need to way cost vs anticipated load.
We have also standardized on 400W per workstation (office/computer labs/etc not data centers). Although we design up to 4 on a 20a circuit in most cases.
Reality is NEC as with any code is a minimum. You'd better use your head and take each projects unique requirements into account which Pal is trying to do.
You need to way cost vs anticipated load.
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