Continuous Load?
- Thread starter cjcrawfo
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Continuous Load?
I consider most lighting loads in non-dwellings to be continuous. Especially office buildings, schools, places of assembly, banks, motel/hotel "public areas", etc. Alot of general purpose equipment have internal operations that prevent operation for more than 3 hours and most receptacle loads will not be continuous.
I consider most lighting loads in non-dwellings to be continuous. Especially office buildings, schools, places of assembly, banks, motel/hotel "public areas", etc. Alot of general purpose equipment have internal operations that prevent operation for more than 3 hours and most receptacle loads will not be continuous.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Continuous Load?
I think it's up to the installer to decide....and then hope the inspector agrees.
IMO there are no continuous lighting loads in a dwelling.
On the other hand I consider all commercial lighting to be continuous.
I think it's up to the installer to decide....and then hope the inspector agrees.
IMO there are no continuous lighting loads in a dwelling.
On the other hand I consider all commercial lighting to be continuous.
Re: Continuous Load?
This application is an unoccupied room containing radio equipment. Generally no human steps foot inside more than once a month.
Would you consider lighting, recepts and HVAC continuous in this application? Mentioned loads are not expected to run more than three hours at a time.
This application is an unoccupied room containing radio equipment. Generally no human steps foot inside more than once a month.
Would you consider lighting, recepts and HVAC continuous in this application? Mentioned loads are not expected to run more than three hours at a time.
Re: Continuous Load?
Are the receptacles powering the radio equipment? If so, I would say the 3 hour rule applies. I wouldn't worry about the HVAC being operated for more than 3 hours at a time. And for the lights? Mount an occupancy sensor on the wall or ceiling if your're worried about the lights being left on.
highkvoltage
Senior Member
Re: Continuous Load?
It wouldn't matter if the lights where on once a month for 3 hours (or longer) or everyday. If it continuous for that one day than it is caulculated as such. It seems like over kill but the code doesn't secify how ofen the load is used just the duration of time when it is used.
It wouldn't matter if the lights where on once a month for 3 hours (or longer) or everyday. If it continuous for that one day than it is caulculated as such. It seems like over kill but the code doesn't secify how ofen the load is used just the duration of time when it is used.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2023
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Continuous Load?
I have a scientific approach. I poll my loins. Usually, they vote continuous. Is this room the entire installation? HVAC is a factor in the lighting of the room? You're doing a load calc?
Is it a spook CIA transmission headquarters? Awesome. I always get stuck with tract houses.
I have a scientific approach. I poll my loins. Usually, they vote continuous. Is this room the entire installation? HVAC is a factor in the lighting of the room? You're doing a load calc?
Is it a spook CIA transmission headquarters? Awesome. I always get stuck with tract houses.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Continuous Load?
I do have a little problem with the way this deffinition is expressed.
Continuous Load. A load where the maximum current will continue for 3 hours or more in normal use.
Ok shoot away.
[ December 06, 2004, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
You can't have kid's living at home
I do have a little problem with the way this deffinition is expressed.
Here is the way I think it should read:
Continuous Load. A load where the maximum current will continue for 3 hours or more in normal use.
Ok shoot away.
[ December 06, 2004, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Continuous Load?
Originally posted by hurk27:
You can't have kid's living at home
I do not understand why you want to change the definition?
[ December 07, 2004, 03:47 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
Re: Continuous Load?
I believe all heating loads are defined as being continuious.
On the other hand, if you look at an entire office building, I think it is unlikely that all the lights will all be on at the same time for 3 hours or more. Therefore, my vote is non-continuous. But if you look at a single branch circuit, all the lights on it may be on, so I think thats continuous.
Am I contridicting myself?
Steve
I believe all heating loads are defined as being continuious.
On the other hand, if you look at an entire office building, I think it is unlikely that all the lights will all be on at the same time for 3 hours or more. Therefore, my vote is non-continuous. But if you look at a single branch circuit, all the lights on it may be on, so I think thats continuous.
Am I contridicting myself?
Steve
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