Load Calculations - Old Apartment Buildings

[daveselectric]

In doing load calculations on a multifamily dwelling and the units do not have two small appliance circuits in them, is it still required to include two small appliance circuits and what is the code reference?

Thanks

 

[charlie b]

Re: Load Calculations - Old Apartment Buildings

Why are you calculating the load on an existing building? Are they looking to upgrade their service? If so, then you have to follow the entire process in 220. That process does require you to include an allowance for two SA circuits in your calculation. That is true even if they are not there. The idea is to make sure the service has all the power that the customer will need, even if the customer is not using all that power at the present time.

Please note that Article 220 is not the place in the code that tells you that you need to install two SA circuits. The nature of the project will tell you whether you need to add the two SA circuits.

 

[daveselectric]

Re: Load Calculations - Old Apartment Buildings

We are replacing the original outdated 1920's meter bank and main disconnect. That is why we are doing a load calculation.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Load Calculations - Old Apartment Buildings

I would say you are in a gray area. I think you need to do the full-blown load calculation from 220, and include all the loads it requires you to include. It is a different matter as to whether you also need to install any of the outlets for which you include a load allowance (e.g., laundry outlet, SA receptacles, wall receptacles, etc). You may need to discuss this with the AHJ.