Summary: Residential Electrical Load Calculator, Online and Interactive provides accurate panel load calculations.
Check Out What Others Are Sharing at Ask the Electrician: I really like it. Just get to what is important easily..no fluff! Phil from Branson, Missouri.
Quick Start Guide for the Electrical Load Calculator
Advanced
Experienced Electricians
No explanation needed.
Intermediate
Inspectors and Teachers
Short Explanations to help you get started.
Novice
Homeowners and Students
Detailed explanations to help you get it right.
Please Note: This online calculating tool requires javascript to be turned on in your browser.
Detailed Instructions for the Electrical Load Calculator.
Introduction to the Electrical Load calculator
The purpose of the residential electrical load calculation is to accurately determine the size of the electrical service base upon the electrical equipment that will be installed. The national electrical codes are the basis of making sure the electrical service is sized properly and installed correctly.
Step 1
The General Electrical Load Requirements are based on the inside square feet area of the home which is then used to calculate the basic lighting load and required appliance circuits.
The Residential Electrical Load Calculator is Pre-Loaded with electrical information for you to chose from. Click on the Question Mark Buttons for more specific information relating to each section and entry.
Step 2
Appliances and Motor Type Loads are typically larger equipment used in the kitchen, laundry room, garage. Be sure to check the nameplate information for accurate calculations.
Step 3
Heating and Air Conditioning. Properly Identifying Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment is very important because the equipment typically requires a larger electrical load.
Step 4
Perform the Calculations: The Calculate button will perform calculations from the information you have provided in this form. The Calculate Button Must Be Pressed when any changes are made to the form.
The Basics of How Electrical Power is Measured and Calculated
What is VA?
VA is the abbreviation for volt-ampere, which is a unit of power that is determined by multiplying the voltage and the amperage current in a circuit. VA is a standard measurement of electrical power that is used for identifying electrical circuit component requirements. Example: a 120 volt circuit which is providing 1 ampere = 120 volt-amperes.
The Difference Between VA and Watts?
A watt is a measure of true power which is required to perform work at the rate of 1 joule per second. The wattage is calculated by multiplying voltage times the power factor of the circuit. Example: Watts = Voltage times the Amperage times the Power Factor.
What is Power Factor?
PF or Power Factor is the ratio of the actual power in watts to the apparent power in volt-amperes which is expressed as a percentage. Example: 100% power factor is the best , however a typical power factor could range between 75 to 90%.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In some areas of the form below you can combine VA loads for multiple equipment with the specified section.
Brief Instructions for the Electrical Load Calculator
The load calculator is divided into three main sections which enable you to enter the necessary information about the home project and the proposed electrical equipment that will be installed.
The calculations conform to the national electrical codes which focus on required loads and factoring in the appliance and motor equipment. The question mark help buttons will assist you with detailed information about typical equipment loads which may be selected in the various drop down menus.
This Residential Electrical Load Calculator is Pre-Loaded with electrical information for you to chose from. Please use additional Question Mark Buttons for more specific information. For your continuance the Update and Calculate Buttons will Recalculate the entire form.
IMPORTANT:
We provide these
calculating tools as a guide to assist you to understand the process of accurately sizing a residential electrical panel based on proposed loads. The results of the calculations are based upon the accuracy of the information that you provide. The [Calculate] Button must be pressed when any changes are made to the form. Accurate load sizing is best performed by a professional architect or engineer which is reviewed by the building department in your jurisdiction.
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residential electrical load calculation - 1493
Installing Electrical Wiring
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, Battery Tools, Power Tools, Electrical Meters and Voltage Testers.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level electrical experience, electrical certification or contractors license, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for all electrical projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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