1. What is Electrical Load Calculation?

Definition: This calculator estimates the total electrical load of a house by summing the power consumption of individual appliances.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and electricians determine the total power requirements for proper electrical system design and safety.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Total electrical load (kilowatts)
• \( P_{load} \) — Power of individual appliances (watts)

Explanation: The power of each appliance is converted from watts to kilowatts (divided by 1000) and then summed to get the total load.

3. Importance of Electrical Load Calculation

Details: Proper load calculation ensures your electrical system can handle all appliances safely, prevents circuit overloads, and helps in sizing electrical service panels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wattage of up to three appliances. For more appliances, simply add their wattage to one of the fields. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find appliance wattage?
A: Check appliance labels, manuals, or manufacturer websites. Typical wattages are often listed in product specifications.

Q2: Should I include all appliances?
A: Include all major appliances that might run simultaneously for accurate load calculation.

Q3: What's the difference between watts and kilowatts?
A: 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts. We use kW for total load as it's a more practical unit for household electrical systems.

Q4: How does this relate to circuit breakers?
A: Your total load should not exceed 80% of your main breaker's capacity (e.g., 16A on 20A circuit).

Q5: Should I consider startup surges?
A: This calculator shows running load. Some appliances (like AC units) have higher startup surges that should be considered separately.