Using the standard calculation method, what is the general lighting and receptacle minimum unit load (line and neutral) for a 7-unit multifamily dwelling with one laundry circuit and two small appliance-circuits in each 1,980 sq-ft unit?

Using the standard calculation method, what is the general lighting and receptacle minimum unit load (line and neutral) for a 7-unit multifamily dwelling with one laundry circuit and two small appliance-circuits in each 1,980 sq-ft unit?

• A. 24,528 VA - Line; 24,528 VA - Neutral
• B. 27,528 VA - Line; 27,528 VA - Neutral
• C. 73,080 VA - Line; 51,156 VA - Neutral
• D. 73,080 VA - Line; 73,080 VA - Neutral

Answer: (B)

The standard calculation method for a dwelling unit uses three parts: general lighting and receptacle loads, small-appliance circuits, and laundry circuits. The neutral current is considered as the unbalanced portion of the total line load. First, for one 1,980 sq ft unit: - General lighting and receptacle load: 3 VA per ft² × 1,980 ft² = 5,940 VA - Small-appliance circuits: two circuits × 1,500 VA each = 3,000 VA - Laundry circuit: 1,500 VA Total per unit = 5,940 + 3,000 + 1,500 = 10,440 VA With 7 identical units, the line load sums to: 10,440 VA × 7 = 73,080 VA The neutral load is not the full line total; it reflects the unbalanced portion across the two hot legs of a 120/240 V system. Using the standard balancing factor (about 0.707), neutral load ≈ 73,080 × 0.707 ≈ 51,156 VA So the general lighting and receptacle minimum unit load for the building is about 73,080 VA on the line and 51,156 VA on the neutral.

The standard calculation method for a dwelling unit uses three parts: general lighting and receptacle loads, small-appliance circuits, and laundry circuits. The neutral current is considered as the unbalanced portion of the total line load.

First, for one 1,980 sq ft unit:

• General lighting and receptacle load: 3 VA per ft² × 1,980 ft² = 5,940 VA

• Small-appliance circuits: two circuits × 1,500 VA each = 3,000 VA

• Laundry circuit: 1,500 VA

Total per unit = 5,940 + 3,000 + 1,500 = 10,440 VA

With 7 identical units, the line load sums to:

10,440 VA × 7 = 73,080 VA

The neutral load is not the full line total; it reflects the unbalanced portion across the two hot legs of a 120/240 V system. Using the standard balancing factor (about 0.707),

neutral load ≈ 73,080 × 0.707 ≈ 51,156 VA

So the general lighting and receptacle minimum unit load for the building is about 73,080 VA on the line and 51,156 VA on the neutral.