Continuous Load?

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cirelo132

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Hey guys, I am curious about something. According to article 100, a continuous load is a load that is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. But are these continuous loads?

1) Household Electric Range/Oven
2) Household Electric Cooktop
3) Household Electric Water Heater

And if so, how is that determined? (what code will tell me?)

Thanks!
 
1) No
2) No
3) No

It's kinda weird I know. I had an arguement with a kiln manufacturer who's literature had the recommended over current protection sized for 100% of the full load. My arguement to him was that it was expected that these would be on for more then 3 hours at a time. He finally convinced me that these were not considered continuous loads since the heating element cycles on and off to maintain a desired temperature.

Looking up the definition of Continuous Load it says "A load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more."

So mostly I just consider lighting to be a continuous load for circuit sizing. Unless I'm told of something else in the building that is continuous.
 
None of those are continuous loads, however the NEC requires we treat a storage type water heater under 120 gallons as a continuous load.
 
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