1. What is a Home Electrical Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the total electrical load of a home in kilowatts based on appliance wattages, following NEC (National Electrical Code) standards.

Purpose: Helps homeowners and electricians determine the total electrical demand for proper circuit sizing and service panel capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Total electrical load (kilowatts)
• \( \sum P_{load} \) — Sum of all appliance loads (watts)

Explanation: The calculator sums all appliance wattages and converts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of Electrical Load Calculation

Details: Proper load calculation ensures electrical systems can handle demand without overloading, prevents circuit breaker trips, and meets NEC safety requirements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wattages for major appliances. Include continuous loads (refrigerators, AC) and non-continuous loads (occasional use appliances). NEC requires adding 25% to continuous loads.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a continuous load?
A: Any load expected to run for 3+ hours continuously (lighting, refrigeration, HVAC).

Q2: How does NEC affect the calculation?
A: NEC requires continuous loads be multiplied by 125% for circuit sizing.

Q3: What's a typical home electrical load?
A: Most homes need 100-200 amp service (24-48 kW at 240V).

Q4: Should I include all appliances?
A: Focus on major appliances; general lighting can be estimated at 3W/sq.ft.

Q5: How do I find appliance wattages?
A: Check nameplates or manuals, or use clamp meters for measurement.