---
id:
aliases:
  - nec-220
tags:
  - authorship/other
  - destiny/uncertain
  - status/incomplete
  - topic/construction/electrical
  - type/media
  - exclude-from-word-count
title: Article 220 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations
---
# Article 220 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations

## Part I. General

### 220.1 Scope.

This article provides requirements
for calculating branch-circuit, feeder, and service loads.
Part I provides general requirements for calculation methods.
Part II provides calculation methods for branch-circuit loads.
Parts III and IV provide calculation methods for feeder and service loads.
Part V provides calculation methods for farm loads.

Informational Note No. 1:
See examples in Informative Annex D.

Informational Note No. 2:
See Figure 220.1 for information on the organization of Article 220.

### Figure 220.1 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculation Methods.

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### 220.14 Other Loads -- All Occupancies.

In all occupancies, the minimum load for each outlet
for general-use receptacles and outlets not used for general illumination
shall not be less than that calculated in 220.14(A) through (M),
the loads shown being based on nominal branch-circuit voltages.

Exception:
The loads of outlets serving switchboards and switching frames in telephone exchanges
shall be waived from the calculations.

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#### 220.14(A) Specific Appliances or Loads.

An outlet for a specific appliance
or other load not covered in 220.14(B) through (M)
shall be calculated based on the ampere rating
of the appliance or load served.

#### 220.14(B) Electric Dryers and Electric Cooking Appliances in Dwellings and Household Cooking Appliances Used in Instructional Programs.

Load calculations shall be permitted
as specified in 220.54 for electric dryers
and in 220.55 for electric ranges and other cooking appliances.

#### 220.14(C) Motor Outlets.

Loads for motor outlets shall be calculated
in accordance with the requirements in 430.22, 430.24, and 440.6.

#### 220.14(D) Luminaires.

An outlet supplying luminaire(s) shall be calculated
based on the maximum volt-ampere rating of the equipment
and lamps for which the luminaire(s) is rated.

#### 220.14(E) Heavy-Duty Lampholders.

Outlets for heavy-duty lampholders
shall be calculated at a minimum of 600 volt-amperes.

#### 220.14(F) Sign and Outline Lighting.

Sign and outline lighting outlets
shall be calculated at a minimum of 1200 volt-amperes
for each required branch circuit specified in 600.5(A).

#### 220.14(G) Show Windows.

Show windows shall be calculated
in accordance with either of the following:

* (1) The unit load per outlet as required in other provisions of this section
* (2) At 200 volt-amperes per linear 300 mm (1 ft) of show window

#### 220.14(H) Fixed Multioutlet Assemblies.

Fixed multioutlet assemblies used in other than dwelling units
or the guest rooms or guest suites of hotels or motels
shall be calculated in accordance with (H)(1) or (H)(2).
For the purposes of this section,
the calculation shall be permitted
to be based on the portion that contains receptacle outlets.

* (1) Where appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously,
  each 1.5 m (5 ft) or fraction thereof
  of each separate and continuous length
  shall be considered as one outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.

* (2) Where appliances are likely to be used simultaneously,
  each 300 mm (1 ft) or fraction thereof
  shall be considered as an outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.

#### 220.14(I) Receptacle Outlets.

Except as covered in 220.14(J) and (K),
receptacle outlets shall be calculated at not less than 180 volt-amperes
for each single or for each multiple receptacle on one yoke.
A single piece of equipment consisting of a multiple receptacle
comprised of four or more receptacles
shall be calculated at not less than 90 volt-amperes per receptacle.
This provision shall not be applicable to the receptacle outlets
specified in [[nfpa-70_210_branch-circuits#210.11(C)(1) Small-Appliance Branch Circuits.|210.11(C)(1)]]
and [[nfpa-70_210_branch-circuits#210.11(C)(2) Laundry Branch Circuits.|(C)(2)]].

#### 220.14(J) Dwelling Units.

In one-family, two-family, and multifamily dwellings,
the minimum unit load shall be not less than 33 volt-amperes/m$^2$ (3 volt-amperes/ft$^2$).
The lighting and receptacle outlets specified in 220.14(J)(1), (J)(2), and (J)(3)
are included in the minimum unit load.
No additional load calculations shall be required for such outlets.
The minimum lighting load shall be determined using the minimum unit load
and the floor area as determined in 220.11 for dwelling occupancies.
Motors rated less than 1⁄8 hp and connected to a lighting circuit
shall be considered part of the minimum lighting load.

* (1) All general-use receptacle outlets of 20-ampere rating or less,
  including receptacles connected to the circuits in 210.11(C)(3) and 210.11(C)(4)
* (2) The receptacle outlets specified in 210.52(E) and (G)
* (3) The lighting outlets specified in 210.70

#### 220.14(K) Office Buildings.

In office buildings, the receptacle loads
shall be calculated to be the larger of (1) or (2):

* (1) The calculated load from 220.14(I)
  after all demand factors have been applied
* (2) 11 volt-amperes/m$^2$ or 1 volt-ampere/ft$^2$

#### 220.14(L) Other Outlets.

Other outlets not covered in 220.14(A) through (K)
shall be calculated based on 180 volt-amperes per outlet.

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