Quick Hits

⚡ Quick Hit: The 1¾–8¾ kW Shortcut

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

Episode 20 — 120.55 Electric Cooking Appliances

🍳 THE QUICK HIT

Not every cooking appliance requires you to work through the Column C method.

For smaller qualifying household cooking appliances, Note 3 provides an alternative calculation method that can make the calculation much simpler.

📖 NOTE 3 — THE ALTERNATIVE METHOD

For household cooking appliances rated:

MORE THAN 1¾ kW

but

NOT MORE THAN 8¾ kW

you're permitted to use an alternative method.

Instead of using the Column C method:

STEP 1 — ADD THE NAMEPLATE RATINGS

Add together the nameplate ratings of all qualifying cooking appliances.

STEP 2 — DETERMINE THE APPLICABLE COLUMN

Use the applicable demand factor from:

Column A or Column B

The appropriate column depends on the number of appliances in the group.

STEP 3 — APPLY THE DEMAND FACTOR

Multiply the combined nameplate rating by the applicable demand factor.

💡 THE SHORTCUT

Nameplate total

×

Column A or B demand factor

=

Calculated demand load

🔀 WHEN THE RATINGS SPAN BOTH COLUMNS

What if your appliances don't all fall into the same column category?

Don't combine everything into one group.

Instead:

GROUP 1

Identify the appliances belonging to the Column A group.

Calculate that group using its applicable demand factor.

GROUP 2

Identify the appliances belonging to the Column B group.

Calculate that group using its applicable demand factor.

THEN ADD THEM

Column A calculated load

Column B calculated load

=

TOTAL CALCULATED LOAD

⚠️ THE GOTCHA

Don't average the groups together.

Don't apply one demand factor to everything.

Keep each group separate until the final addition.

🧮 SIMPLE EXAMPLE

Imagine a project has qualifying cooking appliances that fall into two different groups.

Instead of combining their nameplates and applying one factor:

Column A group → Calculate separately

Column B group → Calculate separately

Then:

Result A + Result B = Total

The exact demand-factor percentages come from the applicable Table 120.55 columns.

🎯 TEST YOURSELF

Per Note 3, this alternative calculation method applies to household cooking appliances rated in what range?

A) More than 1¾ kW but not more than 8¾ kW

B) More than 8¾ kW but not more than 27 kW

C) Any rating, no limit

D) Exactly 12 kW only

👇 What's your answer?

✅ ANSWER

A) More than 1¾ kW but not more than 8¾ kW

Note 3 provides the alternative calculation method for qualifying household cooking appliances within this rating range.

🔑 REMEMBER

> 1¾ kW

↓

≤ 8¾ kW

↓

Add nameplates

↓

Apply Column A or B

⚠️ TABLE 120.55 NOTE

The actual Column A and Column B demand-factor percentages are not reproduced here because the complete Table 120.55 was not included in the source material available for this Quick Hit.

This page explains the alternative calculation methodology described by Note 3 without supplying unverified percentages.

For the exact applicable demand-factor values, consult the official NEC and the complete Table 120.55.

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🧭 QUICK HIT NAVIGATION

← Back to Article 120 Quick Hits

← Back to 2026 NEC Quick Hits

← Episode 19 — Big Ranges Get a Kilowatt-by-Kilowatt Bump

→ Episode 21 — Cooking Appliance Notes & Special Rules

⚠️ 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.