1. What is a General Lighting Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the total power consumption of multiple lighting fixtures by summing their individual wattages.

Purpose: Helps electricians, engineers, and homeowners determine the total electrical load for lighting circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{total} \) — Total power consumption (watts)
• \( P_{light} \) — Wattage of each individual light (watts)

Explanation: The calculator sums the wattage of all specified lights to determine the total power load.

3. Importance of Lighting Load Calculation

Details: Proper load calculation ensures electrical circuits are not overloaded, helps with energy planning, and ensures code compliance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of lights, then specify each light's wattage. All wattage values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I use nominal or actual wattage?
A: Use the nominal wattage (what's printed on the bulb) for standard calculations.

Q2: How do I account for LED vs. incandescent bulbs?
A: Simply enter each bulb's actual wattage regardless of type.

Q3: Does this include ballast factor for fluorescent lights?
A: No, for fluorescent lights, multiply bulb wattage by ballast factor (typically 1.1-1.2) before entering.

Q4: How does this relate to circuit breaker sizing?
A: Divide total watts by voltage (usually 120V) to get amps, then compare to breaker rating.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: NEC requires using 125% of continuous loads (lights on >3 hours).