Code Quiz of Day

Laundry Circuit Load Calculations

Jan. 9, 2015

Feeder and service load calculation requirements can be found in Part III of Art. 220 in the 2014 NEC.

A dwelling unit containing two 120V laundry branch circuits has a calculated load of _____ for the laundry circuits.

a) 1,500VA
b) 3,000VA
c) 4,500VA
d) 6,000VA

See answer and applicable Code reference

The correct answer is: b) 3,000VA

Feeder and service load calculation requirements can be found in Part III of Art. 220 in the 2014 NEC. As noted in Sec. 220.52(B), "A load of not less than 1,500VA shall be included for each 2-wire laundry branch circuit installed as covered by 210.11(C)(2). This load shall be permitted to be included with the general lighting load and subjected to the demand factors provided in Table 220.42."

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.