1. What is a House Electrical Load Calculator?

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

Purpose: It 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)
• \( P_i \) — Power of individual appliances (watts)

Explanation: The power of each appliance is summed in watts, then divided by 1000 to convert to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Electrical Load Calculation

Details: Proper load calculation ensures electrical systems can handle demand safely, prevents circuit overloads, and helps with energy planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wattage of up to 4 appliances. For more appliances, simply add their values 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 use a wattage meter. Common appliances: fridge (150-400W), microwave (600-1200W), TV (50-200W).

Q2: Should I include all appliances?
A: Include all regularly used appliances. For occasional use items, you might calculate separate "peak" and "typical" loads.

Q3: How does this relate to circuit breakers?
A: Total load should not exceed 80% of circuit capacity. A 15-amp circuit at 120V can handle 1.44kW (15A × 120V × 0.8 / 1000).

Q4: What about motor starting currents?
A: Motors (like AC units) may have starting currents 3-5 times higher than running current. Consider this for your main service panel.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a basic estimate. For precise calculations, consult an electrician and consider diversity factors (not all appliances run simultaneously).