Journeyman Electrician Exam (NEC)Equipment and DevicesMedium
A journeyman electrician is calculating the minimum required feeder size for a commercial kitchen. The kitchen has 10 general-purpose 120V, 20A receptacle outlets. According to NEC 220.14(I), what is the minimum demand load per receptacle for this calculation?
- A180 VA
- B360 VA
- C3 amperes
- D1.5 amperes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 180 VA
NEC 220.14(I) specifies that for receptacle outlets not used for specific appliances, where a number of receptacles are on a single branch circuit, or where the number of receptacles on a circuit is unknown, a continuous load of 180 VA per outlet shall be used for general calculations. It's important to note that this is a VA rating, not an ampere rating directly.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 360 VA is double the required value and would lead to oversizing the feeder.
- C. 3 amperes is not a standard demand load for general-purpose receptacles in VA or amps for feeder calculations.
- D. 1.5 amperes is not a standard demand load for general-purpose receptacles in VA or amps for feeder calculations.
Receptacle Demand Load
The calculated load assigned to general-purpose receptacle outlets for the purpose of sizing feeders and services, as specified by the NEC.
- NEC 220.14(I) specifies 180 VA per outlet.
- Applies to general-purpose receptacles, not dedicated circuits.
- Used to avoid oversizing when not all outlets are used simultaneously at full capacity.
Memory trick: Feeder Load: Every Outlet Counts, Even a Little.