WIRING CALCULATIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNIT

SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING

Type of Service - 230 V
Single Phase 2 wire 60 Hz
Line to ground Current system
PROBLEM:
A single family dwelling is to be circuited with the following requirements as shown on the
figure above. Determine the:
size of the branch circuit wire for lighting outlets
size of the conduit pipes
size or rating of the fuse protective device
SOLUTION
A. Circuit - 1 for lighting load
1. From the Figure above, determine the number of lighting outlets. By direct counting, there are
8 light outlets.
The National Electrical Code provides that:
"100 watts shall be the maximum load for each household lighting outlet."
Adopting the 100 watts per lighting outlet we have:
8 outlets x 100 = 800 watts
2. Determine the Total Current load
800 watts/230 volts = 3.48 amperes
3. Determine the size of conductor wire for circuit - 1 . Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. use 2 pieces
2.0 mm2 or No. 14 TW copper wirehaving an ampacity of 15 amperes that is much largr than
the 3.48 amperes computed maximum load.
4. Determine the size of the Conduit Pipe. Refer to Table . The smallest diameter of a conduit
pipe that could accommodate up to 3 pieces of No.14 TW conductor wire is 13 mm diameter.
therefore, specify13 mm diameter conduit pipe.
5. determine the size or rating of the fuse protective device. Refer to Table . Use 15 amperes
fuse
The National Electrical Code provides that:
"Ampacity of the connected load shall not exceed 80% of the amperage capacity of the

conductor and the fuse."

In Table , the maximum ampacity load of a or 2.0 mm2 No.14 AWG copper wire is 15 amperes.
80 % of 15 is 12, the maximum allowable load of the circuit sufficient enough to carry the 3.48
amperes computed load for a maximum 100 watts per light outlet. therefore the use of 2.0mm2 or
No.14 TW is safe.
B, Circuit - 2 For Small Appliance load
SOLUTION
The National Electrical Code provides that:
"For each single receptacle shall be considered at no less than 180 watts rating."
It simply mean that, each convenience outlet, is considered to have a maximum load of not less
than 180 watts per plug or gang. thus:
1. From Figure above, there are 6 convenience receptacles for small appliance load. considering
that there are two plug outlet, the total number of plug will be:
6 outlets x 2 plug = 12 pieces
2. Solve for the Total Estimated Load
12 x 180 watts per outlet = 2,160 watts
3. Determine the Maximum Expected Current Load:
2,160 watts / 230 volts = 9.39 amperes
4. Determine the Size of the Conductor wire . Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. For 9.39 amperes, use
2 pieces 3.5 mm2 or No. 12 TW copper wire for Circuit no.2
5. Determine the Size of the conduit pipe. for the 2 - No. 12 TW wire, refer to Table . Use 13
mm conduit pipe.
6. Determine the Over Current fuse protection. Refer to Table . under the column of fuse and
breaker rating, the 20 amperes fuse can safely carry a maximum load of 16 amperes the 80 % of
20 amperes fuse can safely carry a maximum load of 16 amperes the 80% of 20 amperes load
permitted by the National Electrical Code on No. 12 circuit wire.
COMMENT:
1. On convenience outlet receptacle, the National Electrical Code provides that, " Each single
receptacle shall be considered at no less than 180 watts rating."

2. Examining the values given on Table , the 2.0 mm2 or No. 14 AWG TW copper wire has an
allowable ampacity rating of 15 amperes. Granting that only 80 % of this 15 amperes is
considered the derated value, still 12 amperes is very much larger than the 9.36 amperes
computed as maximum load for 6-convenience outlet. Why specify a bigger 3.5 mm2or No. 12
AWG conductor wire?
3. Although the 2.0 mm2or No. 14 AWG wire conductor could safely carry the 9.36 amperes
computed load, considering its 15 amperes ampacity rating,yet, we cannot do so because
the Code specifically mandated the use of 3.5 mm2or No. 12 AWG copper wire as the minimum
size for all types of convenience outlet wiringexcept, for an appliance with limited load wherein
a 2.0 mm2or No.14 AWG wire is permitted.
C. Circuit - 3 for other loads
SOLUTION
1. Examining Figure above, other loads are:
1 - unit electric stove at 1.1 kw = 1,1oo watts
1 - unit water heater at 2.5 kw = 2,500 watts
Total Load..........3,600 watts
2. Compute for the current load. Divide:
3,600 watts / 230 volts = 15.65 amperes
3. Determine the size of the service conductor wire. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1.
4. For the 15.65 amperes load, use 2 pieces 3.5mm2or No.12 AWG TW copper wire
5. Determine the Size of the Conduit Pipe (if reqd) to Table. Two pieces No. 12 AWG wire can
be accommodated comfortably in a 13 mm diameter conduit pipe. Specify 13 mm diameter
conduit pipe.
6. Determine the size or rating of the Over-current Protection. Refer to Table . For the 15.65
amperes load use 20 amperes fuse rating.
COMMENTS:
The fuse rating is 20 amperes. Granting that it will be derated at 80 % x 20, the 16 amperes
derated value is still higher than the computed load of 15.65 amperes. Therefore, the 20 amperes
fuse over current protection is accepted.
FINDING THE SIZE OF SERVICE ENTRANCE
The size of service entrance being the supply conductor and equipment for delivering energy
from the electricity supply to the wiring system of the building, is also computed based on the
total load supplied by the branch circuit. Continuing the solution, we have the following:

1. Solve for the total load of circuit 1 to circuit 3.

Total current load = Total connected load / voltage rating
= (800 W + 2,160 W + 3,600 W) / 230 V
= 28.52 amperes
2. Apply 80% demand factor as permitted by the National Electrical Code.
28.52 x .80 = 22.8 amperes
3. Find the Size of the Service Wire. Refer 22.8 amperes to Table . Use 2- 8.0 mm2or No.8 TW
copper wire
4. Determine the size of conduit pipe for the service wire. Refer Table , for No.8 TW copper
wire, use 20 mm diameter conduit pipe.
COMMENT:
1. A demand factor of 80% was applied considering that not all receptacles and outlets are
being used simultaneously.
2. These type of loads are classified as non-continuous load. From Table 9.1, the 5.5 mm2or
No.10 AWG copper wire conductor has 30 amperes ampacity which is bigger than 22.8 amperes
as computed. However, we do not specify the use of No.10 AWG wire because the code limits
the use of 8.0mm2or No.8 AWG, conductor as minimum size for Service Entrance.
3. The National Electrical Code on Service Entrance provides that:
" Service entrance shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the building load. They shall have the
adequate mechanical strength and shall not be smaller than 8.0 mm2or 3.2 mm diameter except
for installation to supply limited load of a single branch circuit such as small poly-phase power,
controlled water heaters and the like and they shall not be smaller than 3.5 mm2or 2.0 mm
diameter copper or equivalent.
THE MAIN DISCONNECTING MEANS OR SAFETY SWITCH
Find the total computed load
Circuit - 1 ........ 3.48 amperes
Circuit - 2 ........9.39 amperes
Circuit - 3 ........15.65 amperes
TOTAL........28.52 amperes
2. Use 2 pieces 30 amperes fuse parallel connection 60 amperes 2 pole single throw (PST) 250
volts safety switch

3. Provide 2-double branch circuit cut out with two 15 and 2-20 amperes fuse respectively.
MULTI-ground system and line to line service
The protection of branch circuit is tapped to the hot line of live wire. The grounded line being in
neutral zero voltage is not protected with fuse. this is one advantage of the MULTI-GROUND
SYSTEM being adopted by the electric cooperative implemented by the RURAL
ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM of the government. The branch circuit and cutout should be
doubled because the engaged voltage in the line is only 230 V while the other is zero being
grounded ( see figure)
Other electric service system on the other hand, are classified as LINE TO LINE SERVICE
wherein the engaged voltage is 115/230 volts which requires FUSE PROTECTIO FOR BOTH
LINES.
NOTE:
The quantity of materials is subject to change depending upon the area and the choice of the
designing engineers. For open onstallation, conduit pipe can be changed to split knobs or PDX
wires.
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING
Type of Service - 115/230 V
Single Phase 3 wire 60 Hz
Line to Line system
SOLUTION:
Examining the lighting plan of the above figure, there are 19 lighting outlets. Split the 19 outlets
into
two
circuits
A
and
B.
A.

Circuit

Lighting

Load

(10

light

outlets)

1. The PEC provides that 100 watts be the maximum load per light outlet. thus, for 10 light
outlets
at
100
watts,
multiply:
10
2.
1000

outlets

100

Compute The
watts/230

watts

= 1000

Current
volts

= 4.35

watts
Load
amperes

3. Find the size of Branch circuit wire. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. For 4.35 amperes,
use 2.0 mm2 TW
copper
wire.
4. Find the rating of overcurrent protection. Refer to Table. for 4.35 A, use 15 amperes trip
breaker.
5. Determine the size of conduit pipe. Refer to Table , for No. 14 TW copper wire, use 13 mm

conduit
B.
1.

pipe.
Circuit
For

Lighting

outlets,

9
outlets
Divide
:

100
900

Load

find

the

watts
watts/230

(9

light

Total

per
volts

load

outlet
=

outlets)
in

watts.

= 900
3.91

watts
amperes

2. Determine the Size of the Branch circuit Wire. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. For 3.91 A load,
use 2.0 mm2or
No.14
TW
copper
wire.
3. Determine the size of the conduit pipe. Refer to Table. For 2 pieces No. 14 TW copper wire,
use
the 13
mm
minimum
size
of
conduit
pipe.
4. Determine the size or rating of the overcurrent Protection. Refer to Table. For 3.91 A load,
use 15
A
load
fuse
of
trip
breaker.
C.
Circuit
3
For
small
appliance
load
Section 3.3.1.2 of the the PEC specif 180 watts load limit per convenience outlet. Thus,
1.

Find

the

6
outlets
12
Divide:

number
x
x
2160

of
2

appliance

load

gang
180
watts/230

per

outlet

and

the

current

outlet
x
180
= 2,160
volts
= 9.39

load.
watts
watts
A

2. Determine the Size of the Service Wire conductor. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. For the 9.39 A
load,
specify
the
minimum
wire
gauge
for
convenience
outlet.
2

3.5 mm2or

pieces

No.12

TW

copper

wire

3. Determine the Size of the conduit pipe. Refer to Table. For 2 pieces No.12 TW copper wire.
Use 13
mm
diameter
conduit
pipe.
4. Solve for the Size or Rating of the Over current Protection. Refer to Table. For 9.39 A on
No.
12
TW
copper
wire
specify:
20
A
fuse
or
trip
breaker.
D.

Circuit-

for

Small

Appliance

Load

1. The load of circuit 4 is identical with circuit . Use the same size of wire, conduit, and wire
protection
rating.
E.
1.
2.

Circuit
Range

load
Solve

(appliance

rating)

for

for
at
the

Range
8.0

kW
Line

= 8000

Load
watts
current.

8000
3.

watts
Refer

to

34.78

/
Table

230
apply

V= 34.78

80%

.80df

demand

load

factor

27.82

.
A

4. Determine the Size of the Branch Circuit wire. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1. For the 27.82
A, use
8.0 mm2 or
No.
8
TW
copper
wire.
5. Determine the Size of Conduit pipe. Refer to Table. For 2 pieces No.8 wire use 200 mm
diameter
pipe.
6. Find the Size or Rating of the Fuse or Trip Breaker. Refer to Table. For appliance load,
use 40
A
fuse
or
trip
breaker.
F.
1.
2.

Circuit
one

unit
The

2500

water

for

heater
current

at

watts/230

Water
2.5
load

heater
kW

volts

Load

= 2500
will

= 10.86

watts
be:
A

3. Solve for the Size of the Branch circuit wire. Refer to Table 9.1 or 11.1 . For 10.86 A
convenience
outlet
use 2
pcs
3.5 mm2 or
No.
12
TW
copper
wire.
4. Determine the Size of the conduit pipe. Refer to Table. For 2 - No.12 Tw copper wire, use 13
mm
conduit
pipe.
5. Find the Size or Rating of the Over Current Protection. For the 10.86 A load, use 20 A fuse
fuse
or
trip
breaker.
G.
1.
1.5

Circuit

One

and
unit

Hp

with
ACU

unit

at

746

ACU

1.5
=

Hp
1119

each
is
watts

Article 6.7 of the Philippine Electrical Code provides that: "BRANCH CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR
SUPPLYING A MOTOR SHALL HAVE AN AMPACITY NOT LESS THAN 125% OF THE
FULL
LOAD
CURRENT."
2.
4.86

Current

Load:
A

1119
x

watts/230
125%

V
=

4.86
6.07

A
A

3. Find the Size of the Branch circuit service wire. Refer to Table. The 6.7 A can be served by a

2.0 No.14 TW copper wire, but the Code limits the size of convenience outlet to No. 12 AWG
copper wire. SpecifyNo.12 THW copper wire for circuit 7 and 8.
4. Find the Size of the conduit pipe. Refer to Table. For two No.12 wire, use 13 mm conduit
pipe.
5. Find the Size and Rating of the Branch Circuit Protection. The Code on branch circuit
protection for a single motor provides that" It shall be increased by 250% of the full load current
of
the
motor."
thus,
4.86 x 250% = 12.15 A. From Table for a continuous load use 2-30 AT breaker.
CALCULATING THE AMPACITY OF THE SERVICE
ENTRANCE CONDUCTOR AND THE MAIN DISCONNECTING MEANS
1. Find The total current load of circuit 1 to circuit 8:
lighting load Ct. 1 and Ct.2 ....................1900 watts
small appliance load Ct. 3 and Ct. 4.......4320 watts
other loads Ct.5 and Ct 6.,......................10500 watts
TOTAL LOAD(except the ACU)....16720 watts
2. From Table , OPTIONAL CALCULATION for dwelling Unit, apply demand factor.
for the first 10000 w at 100%(df)...........10000 watts
subtract: 16720 - 10000 = 6720 watts
for other load, multiply by 40%
6720 x .4 .........................................2688 watts
Aircon unit at 100% demand factor
2-units at 1119 watts........................2238 watts
TOTAL .....................14, 926 watts
TOTAL CONNECTED LOAD PLUS 25% OF THE LARGEST MOTOR
1. Ampere I = 14.926w + (25% of 1.119w)/230 V
= 63.37 A
2. Find the Size of Main feeder and the Neutral line.
- Use 2 - 3.8 mm2 TW copper wire
3. The Neutral Conductor of a 3 - wire line to line supply system shall have an ampacity of
not less than 70% of the ungrounded(live wire) conductor or TWO TRADE SIZE SMALLER
SIZE THAN THE UNGROUNDED CONDUCTOR. (PEC specs) Therefore use1- 22 mm2 Tw
copper wire for the Neutral line.

4. Determine the Size of the Conduit pipe. Refer to Table , use 32 mm diameter pipe.
5. For main Breaker, refer to Table . Use 2 - 100 A 2 - wires 250 V, 2 pole molded air circuity
breaker.
COMMENT:
The total computed load is 63.37 A. The 30 mm2 copper wire could be used considering its 90 A
capacity. However, The NEC provides that:
" If the computed load exceeds 10000 watts, the conductor and overcurrent protection shall be
rated not less than 100 A.
THEREFORE USE 2 - 38 mm2 TW WIRE FOR THE MAIN FEEDER AND 2 - 100 A FOR
THE MAIN BREAKER.
Small
Type
Line

Family
of

Service
to

230

volts;

two

Ground

Dwelling
wire
system

A single family dwelling with a floor area of 80 square meters has the following receptacles and
outlets
load.
LIGHTING:
7
2

pcs.
pcs.

40
20

watts
watts

fluorescent
Incandescent

CONVENIENCE
1
1
2
1
1
1

lamps
lamps
OUTLET:

Electric
Iron
..............................................
1000
Electric
stove..............................................
1100
Electric
fan
................................................
500
7
cu.
ft
Refrigerator
....................................
175
Portable
stereo
...........................................
100
20"
TV
set
...................................................
300

watts
watts
watts
watts
watts
watts

SOLUTION:
A.

Circuit

Lighting

Load

by

the

Area

method

1. Determine the wattage required per square meter area. From, the wattage required per square
meter
for
dwelling
units
is
24
watts.
Multiply:
80

sq.m

24

watts

= 1920

watts

2.

Determine

1920
3.

watts/

230

Compute

the

7
Fluorescent
2
Incandescent
TOTAL............
4.

the current

Solve

400

volts

actual
lamps
bulb

the

x
x
actual

watts/230

= 8.35

lighting
40
60
400

watts
watts
current

volts

load. Divide:

load.
=
=

A
Multiply:

280
120

load.
1.74

watts
watts
watts
Divide:
A

5. Determine th Size of the Branch Circuit wire. From , the 1.74 A is very small load to be
carried by 2.0 mm2 or No. 14 TW copper wire. Therefore, the No. 14 wire is safe.
6. Determine the Size of the conduit pipe. Refer to table, for 2- No.14 wire, use 13 mm conduit
pipe.
7. Determine the size or rating of the branch circuit protection. Refer to table. For 2.0 mm2 or
No.14
copper
wire
conductor,
use
15
A
fuse
or
trip
breaker.
B.
1.

Circuit
Solve

for

For

the

total

small
appliance

appliance

load

current

load.

LOAD CURRENT = ( 1000 + 1100 + 500 + 175 + 300 + 100) / 230 volts
=
3175
watts/230
volts
=
13.81
A
2. Determine the size of the Branch circuit wire conductor. Refer to Table. For a convenience
load of 13.81 A specify 3.5 mm2 or No. 12 TW copper wire, the minimum size required for
convenience
outlet.
3. Find the size of the conduit pipe. Refer to Table, for 2 pieces No.12 TW copper wire, use 13
mm
diameter
pipe.
4. Find the Size or rating of the Protection device. See Table, for 13.81 A, use 1 - 20 A fuse.
COMMENT:
It is interesting to note that only one 20 A fuse protection was used because the current is a LINE
TO GROUND OR MULTI-GROUND SYSTEM where one line is zero voltage being grounded.
Unlike the LINE TO LINE SYSTEM of current supply, it is necessary to provide 2 fuses to
protect
the
two
line
branch
circuit.

FINDING
1.

Get

THE

SIZE
the

OF
sum

THE

SERVICE

total

of

ENTRANCE

OR

connected

load.

Lighting
Load....................................
Small
appliance
load
.........................
TOTAL.................................. 5095
2.
5095

Solve

for

the total

watts/230

connected
volts

load

1920
3175
current.
= 22.15

FEEDER
Add:
watts
watts
watts
Divide:
A

3. Find the size of Service Entrance. Refer to Table. For 22.15 A, useNo. 8 TW copper wire,
the
minimum
size
for
service
entrance.
4. For Main Protection, use 1-safety switch, 2 pole, 2 wires, 250 volts.
Under the preceding set-up, one safety switch could supply both lighting and convenience outlet
at different branch circuit without the use of fuse cutout. This is only applicable to the line to
ground or multi-ground system being used by the electric cooperative.