Understanding a Home's Electrical Load
The units of measure for the electrical load are watts and kilowatts (1,000 watts).
The electrical load is the total power consumption of all electrical devices and systems in a house at any one time. Shedding light on the nuances of the electrical load reveals its considerable impact on home safety and the efficiency of electrical systems.
Here is a closer look at the electrical load and how it affects the home:
Basics of electrical load
The units of measure for the electrical load are watts and kilowatts (1,000 watts). When all the electrical appliances and systems work together at any given time, the total power consumption is the total load. This measure applies to all the devices that are on simultaneously.
Peak load is the highest load taking place at any given time. Knowing the peak load helps determine if the home's electrical system can handle high demands.
Types of electrical loads
There are two types of electrical loads: continuous and non-continuous. Continuous load refers to non-stop appliances, like fridges or water heaters. Non-continuous loads are affected by intermittently turning on and off devices like TVs, light bulbs, stoves, etc.
The non-continuous load will usually affect the baseline of the electrical load. It applies to devices that must be constantly on to sustain contemporary living conveniences.
Calculating electrical load
Knowing the meaning of electrical load is a start, but homeowners must understand how to calculate it. To calculate the load, add the wattage of all appliances and devices used at any given time. For example, a 1,000-watt dishwasher, a 500-watt fridge, and a 600-watt PC running simultaneously will mean a 2,100-watt load.
However, remember the appliance's efficiency and operational load. Many devices won't operate at maximum load at all times. For example, a 600-watt PC power supply may draw 400 watts at moderate loads and even as low as 100 watts when idling.
Why calculate the load
Knowing how many appliances are drawing electricity at any given time helps prevent circuit overloads and reduces the risk of electrical fires. It also helps with sizing electrical service panels and circuits.
Circuit load
Aside from the total electrical load for the whole house, each circuit has a maximum load capacity. The capacity of most circuits is between 15 and 20 amps. Overloaded circuits can cause electrical fires, so consider the maximum load of each when plugging in devices.
Get an expert assessment
It's possible to estimate electrical load by using measuring tools and applying math, but, likely, this calculation won't be perfect. Hire a professional electrician who can assess the load accurately, especially for older homes or before major renovations.
Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.
