What is the minimum general lighting load for a 11,000 sq-ft courthouse?

What is the minimum general lighting load for a 11,000 sq-ft courthouse?

• A. 18,700 VA
• B. 15,400 VA
• C. 13,200 VA
• D. 33,000 VA

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is to size the minimum general lighting load using the occupancy’s per-square-foot rating and the total area. For a courthouse, the NEC provides a general lighting load factor of 1.4 VA per square foot. Multiply by the area: 11,000 ft² × 1.4 VA/ft² = 15,400 VA. This 15,400 VA is the minimum lighting load used for service sizing, not the exact installed load. Other values would correspond to different per-square-foot factors (e.g., 3.0 VA/ft² for some office-type spaces) and don’t match the courthouse rating.

The essential idea is to size the minimum general lighting load using the occupancy’s per-square-foot rating and the total area. For a courthouse, the NEC provides a general lighting load factor of 1.4 VA per square foot. Multiply by the area: 11,000 ft² × 1.4 VA/ft² = 15,400 VA. This 15,400 VA is the minimum lighting load used for service sizing, not the exact installed load. Other values would correspond to different per-square-foot factors (e.g., 3.0 VA/ft² for some office-type spaces) and don’t match the courthouse rating.