Computing Receptacle Loads in a Bank

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finhead

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Section 220.14 (K) requires the receptacle load in a bank to be the larger of 1 VA / sq ft., or 180 VA per outlet as specified in Section 220.14 (I).

My question is; should the this comparison be made before or after the demand factors permitted by 220.44 are applied to the known number of receptacles?

Thanks,
Brian Dolan
 
If you apply the demand to the calculated laod as determined by 220.14(I) before you compare to 1 va/ft?, it is likely the calculated load will never be the higer of the two. I would make the comparison before the demand is applied and if the 220.14(I) calculated load is the higher of the two, I would use it and then apply the demand after.
 
I agree with Bryan that seems to be the way the code reads.

But what if applying the demand factor then makes the load calculation less than the 1VA/sq ft? It seems like one should then go back to using the 1VA/sq ft. number. But I don't see that written in the code?

STeve
 
Thanks for the input. Do you think it is relevant that Section 220.14 (K) is in Part II of the Article and Section 220.44 is in Part III?
 
According to Proposal 2-306 in the ROP for the 2005 code, the submitter states "the proposed language also makes it clear that the 1VA / sq ft calculation is the absolute minimum value to be used."

In order for the 1VA / sq ft. to be the absolute minimum, the demand factor from Section 220.44 would have to be applied before making the comparison.

While I don't agree that the language is so clear regarding the permitted demand factor, I do think that is the intent of the code change.
 
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