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Monday, November 9, 1998

Question:

All receptacle outlets in a house shall be considered at not less than 180 volt-amperes. Is this a true statement?
A

Answer:

No, section 220-3(b) refers you to Table 220-3(b) for the calculation of the general lighting load for various occupancies. In that table, the dwelling unit load per square foot is 3 volt-amperes and 'Dwelling Units' has an asterisk referring to the single asterisk note at the bottom. The note says in part '*All general-use receptacle outlets of 20-ampere or less rating in one-family ... dwellings ... shall be considered as outlets for general illumination, and no additional load calculations shall be required for such outlets.' With all the above in mind, I can install as many receptacle outlets as I want on a circuit in a home; however, allowing three watts per square foot, I can't serve more 'area' than the circuit will handle without being overloaded.

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