Quick Hits

⚡ Quick Hit: Bucket #1 — General Loads

NEC Article 120 — “Load Calcs Won't Kill You” 🔌⚡

Episode 27 — 120.82(B) General Loads

🪣 BUCKET #1: GENERAL LOADS

You've passed the eligibility test for the 120.82 dwelling-unit optional method.

Now it's time to start filling the buckets.

The first one is:

GENERAL LOADS

And there's a demand-factor shortcut built right into the method.

🧮 THE GENERAL-LOAD FORMULA

First:

ADD UP the qualifying general loads

This gives you your:

GENERAL LOAD SUBTOTAL

Then apply the optional-method demand calculation:

First 8 kVA → 100%

Everything over 8 kVA → 40%

So you're essentially doing:

First 8 kVA

40% of the amount above 8 kVA

=

Calculated General Load

💰 WHY THIS MATTERS

The optional method doesn't simply make you calculate every general load at 100%.

Instead, once the general-load subtotal exceeds 8 kVA, the excess receives the 40% factor.

🧠 THINK:

8 kVA = full

Everything after = 40%

💡 WHAT GOES INTO THE SUBTOTAL?

There are several pieces that get added together before applying the 8 kVA / 40% calculation.

1️⃣ GENERAL LIGHTING + GENERAL-USE RECEPTACLES

Use:

2 VA/sq ft

for the dwelling-unit floor area determined using the applicable floor-area provisions.

This accounts for:

💡 General lighting

🔌 General-use receptacle loads

2️⃣ SMALL-APPLIANCE & LAUNDRY CIRCUITS

Add:

1,500 VA EACH

for each required:

🔌 20A small-appliance branch circuit

and

🧺 laundry branch circuit

These are added to the general-load subtotal before applying the optional-method demand factor.

🏠 MORE LOADS JOIN THE BUCKET

3️⃣ APPLIANCES & WATER HEATERS

Add the applicable nameplate ratings for:

• Fastened-in-place appliances

• Appliances supplied by individual branch circuits

• Ranges

• Ovens

• Counter-mounted cooking units

• Dryers that aren't part of the laundry-circuit calculation

• Water heaters

The applicable equipment gets added into the general-load subtotal.

4️⃣ PERMANENTLY CONNECTED MOTORS

Also include the applicable:

Nameplate ampere/kVA rating

of permanently connected motors that haven't already been included elsewhere in the general-load calculation.

🧮 PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Let's say you've added everything that belongs in the general-load subtotal.

Your result is:

10 kVA

Now apply the optional-method rule.

First 8 kVA:

8 kVA × 100% = 8 kVA

Remaining 2 kVA:

2 kVA × 40% = 0.8 kVA

Add them:

8 kVA + 0.8 kVA =

8.8 kVA

That's your calculated general load.

⚠️ DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE

The 40% factor does NOT apply to the entire subtotal.

For a 10 kVA subtotal, don't do:

10 × 40% = 4 kVA ❌

Instead:

8 kVA at 100%

2 kVA at 40%

=

8.8 kVA ✅

🎯 TEST YOURSELF

A dwelling's general-load subtotal before applying the optional-method demand factor is:

10 kVA

Per 120.82(B), what's the calculated general load?

A) 10 kVA flat

B) 8 kVA + 40% of 2 kVA = 8.8 kVA

C) 40% of 10 kVA = 4 kVA

D) 8 kVA flat; ignore the rest

👇 Show your math!

✅ ANSWER

B) 8.8 kVA

Here's the calculation:

First 8 kVA:

8 × 100% = 8 kVA

Remaining 2 kVA:

2 × 40% = 0.8 kVA

8 + 0.8 = 8.8 kVA

🧠 120.82(B) CHEAT SHEET

GENERAL LOAD

Step 1

Add the applicable general loads.

↓

Step 2

Get your subtotal.

↓

Step 3

Apply:

First 8 kVA → 100%

Over 8 kVA → 40%

↓

Calculated General Load

🪣 BUCKET #1 COMPLETE

You've now filled the first bucket of the optional dwelling-unit calculation.

But there's still more to calculate.

🪣 Bucket #1

General Loads ✅

🪣 Bucket #2

Heating & Air-Conditioning ⏭️

🪣 Bucket #3

EVSE ⏭️

And eventually, we'll put the buckets together.

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🧭 QUICK HIT NAVIGATION

← Back to Article 120 Quick Hits

← Episode 26 — Who Gets to Use This Shortcut?

→ Episode 28 — Bucket #2: Heating & Air-Conditioning

🏠 120.82 SERIES

Episode 25: Welcome to Part IV

Episode 26: Who Gets to Use This Shortcut?

Episode 27: Bucket #1 — General Loads ← YOU ARE HERE

Episode 28: Bucket #2 — Heating & Air-Conditioning

Episode 29: Bucket #3 — EVSE

Episode 30: Putting the Optional Method Together

⚠️ EDUCATIONAL NOTICE

This Quick Hit is an educational explanation based on the author's understanding of the NEC. It is not a substitute for the official NEC, applicable local amendments, manufacturer instructions, or the determination of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Always verify the requirements applicable to your specific installation.

The National Electrical Code® and NEC® are registered trademarks of NFPA. JoshTheSparky.com is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by NFPA.