ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design

Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title: Receptacle Branch Circuit Design Calculation Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Ballpen, Notebook, Calculator
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. differentiate general use and small appliance receptacle References:
loads. 1. National Electrical Code
2. calculate receptacle branch circuit loads. Handbook
3. identify NEC provisions in receptacle loads on dwelling 2002 Edition
unit.
2. Philippine Electrical Code
Part 1 2017 Ed.

Productivity Tip:

Where you study matters. If you have a private room, it's fairly easy to shut the door
and concentrate on what you're doing.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (2 mins)
In the previous lessons branch-circuit are classified according to type of Load into five categories:
Lighting Branch circuit, Receptacle Branch circuit, Equipment Branch circuit, Heating and cooling
loads Branch circuit and Motor Branch circuit.

We also learned the design calculations for the first type: lighting branch circuits

In this lesson you will gain knowledge in the design calculations for the second type: Receptacle
branch circuits.

Receptacles are one of the most popular terms in the NEC code because of its importance especially
in dwelling units and in non-dwelling units as it is the device responsible for feeding power to most
of equipment. NEC code includes large number of rules that are assigning the receptacle
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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

requirements for special locations, special loads, special installation methods etc.

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (3 mins)

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. What is receptacle?

2. What is the difference

between general use and
small appliance receptacle
3. How to calculate receptacle
loads in dwelling unit as per
NEC?

B. MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)

Second: Receptacles branch circuit

1. Introduction
1.1. Essential Definitions
Receptacle: A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an
attachment plug.

Receptacle Outlet: An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed

Important!!!
The number of receptacle Outlets my not equal to the number of receptacles installed on
these outlets. For example, a duplex receptacle has two contact devices on the same
receptacle outlet. In this case number of receptacles = 2 while the number of receptacle
outlets = 1.

Attachment Plug (Plug Cap) (Plug): A device that, by insertion in a receptacle, establishes a
connection between the conductors of the attached flexible cord and the conductors connected
permanently to the receptacle
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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Note that…
Attachment plug contact blades have specific shapes, sizes, and configurations so that a
receptacle or cord connector will not accept an attachment plug of a voltage or current
rating different from that for which the device is intended.

Multi-outlet Assembly are metal or non-metallic raceways that are usually surface, flush, or
freestanding mounted designed to hold branch circuit conductors and receptacles, assembled in
the field or at the factory.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

The definition of multi-outlet assembly includes a reference to a freestanding assembly with multiple
outlets, commonly called a power pole as shown in below image.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

2. Receptacle Branch circuit ratings and permissible loads

In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. The following are the permissible
Receptacle Branch circuit ratings in dwelling buildings:

A) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits

15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits shall be permitted to supply:

1. Only lighting units: this case explained before in previous article

2. Only utilization equipment: with condition that the combined load for all utilization
equipment must not exceed the branch circuit rating.

3. Combination of both: in the case the permissible rating of the utilization equipment will
depend on its type as follows:
• If it is not fastened-in-place, it can have a rating of up to 80 % of the branch circuit
rating as in TABLE 210.21(B)(2).
• If it is fastened-in-place, other than luminaires, it shall not exceed 50 % of the branch-
circuit ampere rating.

Important!!!
Using fastened-in-place equipment is not permitted for the small-appliance branch
circuits, laundry branch circuits, and bathroom branch circuits required in a dwelling unit
and these branch circuits shall supply only their receptacle outlets required by the code.

B) 30-Ampere Branch Circuits

A 30-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply utilization equipment in any occupancy.
A rating of any one cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment shall not exceed 80 percent
of the branch-circuit ampere rating.

Important!!!
A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an ampere rating
not less than that of the branch circuit.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

C) 40- and 50-Ampere Branch Circuits

A 40- or 50-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply cooking appliances that are
fastened in place in any occupancy.

3. The Maximum allowable number of receptacles on a branch circuit

As per NEC section 220.14(I), Receptacle outlets load (see below image) shall be calculated at not
less than:
• 180 volt-amperes for each single receptacle,
• 180 volt-amperes for each multiple receptacle (duplex or triplex) on one yoke,
• 90 volt- amperes per receptacle for multiple receptacles (four or more).

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Important!!!
If a receptacle is dedicated for a specific device, then the actual load is
used and If this dedicated load is continuous, then the 125% overrate is
appropriate.

To calculate the Maximum allowable number of receptacles on a branch circuit, make the
following steps:
• Step#1: Determine the maximum circuit power by Multiply the branch circuit voltage and
amperage.
• Step#2: Then divide by 180 volt-amperes.

The result from Step#2 = the Max. Allowable single, duplex, or triplex receptacles or a combination
of them on a branch circuit.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Example#1:
How many receptacles can be placed on a 120-volt, 20-amp circuit? How many can be placed on a
120-volt, 15-amp circuit?

Solution:
Step#1:
Determine the maximum circuit power (for 20-amp circuit) = 120 V × 20 A = 2400 VA

Determine the maximum circuit power (for 15-amp circuit) 120 V × 15 A = 1800 VA

Step#2:

Then divide the power by the load per receptacle

For 20-amp circuit:

Maximum allowable number of receptacles = 2400 VA / 180 VA = 13.3

For 15-amp circuit:

Maximum allowable number of receptacles = 1800 VA / 180 VA = 10

So,

A 120-volt, 20-amp circuit can supply 13 receptacles.

A 120-volt, 15-amp circuit can supply 10 receptacles.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

4. Receptacle branch circuits Calculations in dwelling buildings

In the broad sense, Receptacle in dwelling units may serve one of the following loads:

1. General-use Receptacle Loads,

2. Small appliance Loads,
3. Laundry Load,
4. Fastened-in-place Appliance loads,
5. Cloth dryer Load,
6. Household cooking appliances load,
7. Heating and air conditioning loads,
8. Motor loads.

4.1 General-use Receptacle Loads

4.1.1locations of General-use Receptacle Loads

the locations of General-use Receptacle Loads as per NEC section 210.52 is controlled by
eleven (11) Rules as follows:
Important!!!
The primary objective of the requirements covering any of the dwelling areas included in
210.52 is to minimize the need to use extension cords to supply utilization equipment.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Rule#1: Main rule (see below image)

Receptacles shall be installed such that no point measured horizontally along the floor
line of any wall space is more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from a receptacle outlet.

Definition:
The wall space is a wall unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, archways,
and similar openings and may include two or more walls of a room (around corners), as
illustrated in Exhibit 210.27. The Minimum length for a wall space is 2 ft.
Important!!!

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

The wall space behind the swing of a door is included in the measurement. This does not
mean that the receptacle outlet must be in that space, only that the space is included in
the wall-line measurement.

Rule#2: electric baseboard heaters built-in receptacle (see below image)

If there is a permanently installed electric baseboard heaters (longer than 12 ft.)

equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets or outlets provided as a separate
assembly by the manufacturer shall be permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the
wall space utilized by such permanently installed heaters (see image below) . Such
receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits.

Rule#3: Receptacle designed for intended use

Receptacle designed for intended utilization equipment or practical room use may be
placed in corners, may be grouped, or may be placed in a convenient location. For

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

example, receptacles in a living room and family room that are intended to serve home
entertainment equipment or home office equipment.

Rule#4: floor Receptacles (see below image)

Receptacle outlets in floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of
receptacle outlets unless located within 450 mm (18 in.) of the wall.

Rule#5: kitchen and dining areas counters receptacles other than that used for
small appliances (see above image)

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Receptacle outlets installed to serve kitchen or dining area counters (for small
appliances) cannot also be used as general-use receptacles for an adjacent wall space
and in this case general-use receptacle branch circuits must be added to serve such
locations.

Rule#6: receptacles not under main rule

The following receptacles can't be used as general-use receptacles (rule#1 will not apply
for it):
A receptacle that is Part of a luminaire or appliance, or
A receptacle that is controlled by a wall switch, or
A receptacle that is Located within cabinets or cupboards, or
A receptacle that is located more than 1.7 m (5.5 ft) above the floor.
Important!!!
A receptacle controlled by a switch may result in the occupant using an extension cord,
run from an outlet or device that is not controlled by a switch, to supply appliances or
equipment that require continuous power, such as an electric clock. So, this receptacle
not considered as general-use receptacle.

Rule#7: hallways

As per NEC section 210.52(H), In dwelling units, hallways of 3.0 m (10 ft) or more in length
shall have at least one receptacle outlet.
The hallway length shall be considered the length along the centrelines of the hallway
without passing through a doorway.

Important!!!
Rule#7 does not apply to common hallways of hotels, motels, apartment buildings,
condominiums, and similar occupancies.

Rule#8: foyers

As per NEC section 210.52(I), Foyers that are not part of a hallway in accordance with
210.52(H) and that have an area that is greater than 5.6 m2 (60 ft2) shall have a
receptacle(s) located in each wall space 900 mm (3 ft) or more in width and unbroken by
doorways, floor-to-ceiling windows, and similar openings.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Rule#9: Bathroom

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

As per NEC Section 210.52(D), in dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be
installed in bathrooms in one of the following locations:
1. Within 900 mm (3 ft) (36 inch) of the outside edge of each basin.
2. on the side or face of the basin cabinet not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the
basin countertop.

special cases for Rule#9 are as follows:

1. If there is more than one basin, a receptacle outlet is required adjacent to each
basin location.
2. If the basins are in proximity, one receptacle outlet installed between the two
basins can be used to satisfy this requirement as shown in below image (top).

Definition:
A bathroom is defined in Article 100 as “an area including a basin with one or more of the
following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures.”

Important!!!
As per NEC section 406.9(C), it is prohibited to install a receptacle within or directly over a
bathtub or inside a shower stall even if the receptacles are installed in a weatherproof
enclosure.

Important!!!
As per NEC section 210.11(C)(3), At least one 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided
to supply bathroom receptacle outlet(s). This circuit is permitted to supply the required
receptacles in more than one bathroom as show in above image (bottom).

Important!!!
If the circuit supplies the required receptacle outlet in only one bathroom, it is allowed to
also supply fastened-in-place equipment (lighting and an exhaust fan) in that bathroom,
provided the lighting and fan load does not exceed 50 % of the branch-circuit ampere
rating as per NEC section 210.23(A)(2).

Rule#10: Outdoors (see below image)

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

As per NEC section 210.52(E), Outdoor receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance
with the following:

1- for One-Family and Two-Family Dwellings

For a one family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at ground level, at
least one receptacle outlet accessible while standing at grade level and located not more
than 2.0 m (6.5 ft) above grade shall be installed at the front and at the back of each
dwelling.

2- for Multifamily Dwellings

For each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at
grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/ egress, at least one
receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6.5 ft) above
grade shall be installed.

3- for Balconies, Decks, and Porches

Balconies, decks, and porches that are accessible from inside the dwelling unit and
having an overall area of 20 ft2 or more must have at least one receptacle outlet installed
within its perimeter. This receptacle shall not be located more than 2.0 m (6.5 ft) above
the balcony, deck, or porch surface.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Important!!!
Where outdoor heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration (HACR) equipment is located at
grade level , the receptacle outlets required by this section “which shall be located on the
same level” can be used to comply with the receptacle outlet requirement of 210.63,
provided that at least one of the outlets is located within 25 ft of the HACR equipment.

Important!!!
The receptacle outlet required for Balconies, Decks, and Porches can also be used to
meet the above outdoor receptacle requirements of One-Family, Two-Family and
Multifamily Dwellings.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Rule#11: Basements, Garages, and Accessory Buildings (see below image)

As per NEC section 210.52(G), For a one-family dwelling, the following provisions shall
apply:
At least one receptacle outlet, in addition to those for specific equipment (Laundry for
example), shall be installed in each basement, in each attached garage, and in each
detached garage or accessory building with electric power.
Where a portion of the basement is finished into one or more habitable rooms, each
separate unfinished portion shall have a receptacle outlet installed in accordance with
this section.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Important!!!
Where detached garages are not supplied with electricity, receptacle outlets do not have
to be installed.

4.1.2Calculation of general-use receptacles load

A. For feeder and service calculation

As I mentioned before in previous article that In one-family, two-family, and multifamily
dwellings and in guest rooms or guest suites of hotels and motels, The general lighting
load unit values specified in table 220.12 (which was 3VA/ft2) will include the following
receptacle loads:
1. All general-use receptacle outlets of 20-ampere rating or less, including receptacles
connected to Bathroom Branch Circuits,

So, no additional load calculation is required for general-use receptacle loads i.e.
general use receptacle loads (after applying the general lighting load unit value from
table 220.12) = Zero.
Example#1:
A homeowner wants to add 10 numbers general-purpose Receptacles, what is the
additional load to the service?

Solution:
No additional load calculation is required for these general-use receptacle loads, the
additional load to be added = Zero.

4.2 Small Appliances Branch circuits

4.2.1 Rules controlling small appliances Branch Circuits:

Rule#1: number of small appliance branch circuits

In each dwelling unit, two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits shall be
provided.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Rule#2: areas served by small appliances branch circuits

All Receptacle Outlets In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area
of a dwelling unit which serve Portable appliances used at a kitchen counter, such as
toasters, coffee makers, skillets, mixers, and the like and after applying exceptions made
by rules#6.

Rule#3: Receptacle Outlets served by small appliances branch circuits (see fig.1)

The following receptacle outlets are permitted to be served by small appliance branch
circuits:
1. All wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A) after applying
exceptions made by rules#6,
2. All countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C),
3. Receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment (see Rle#4).
4. Electric clock in any of the areas specified in Rule#2,
5. Supplemental equipment and lighting on gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter-
mounted cooking units.

The small appliance branch circuits are not permitted to serve any other outlets, such as
might be connected to exhaust hoods or fans, disposals, or dishwashers.
Rule#4: Receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment (see fig.1)

The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment located in a kitchen or similar area
shall be permitted to be supplied from one of the following circuits:
1. 20-A small appliance branch circuit,
2. An individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater especially, when the
receptacle outlet for the refrigerator is located so that it cannot be used to serve
countertop surfaces.

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Fig.1

Rule# 5: Distribution of small-appliance branch circuits (see fig.1)

Small-appliance branch circuits must supply the required receptacles by rule#3 in the
following way:

• The counter area receptacle outlets in the kitchen are required to be supplied by
minimum two small-appliance branch circuits.
• The wall receptacle outlets in the kitchen and dining room are permitted to be
supplied by one or both small-appliance branch circuits that supply the counter
area.
• If there are many kitchens in same dwelling unit, no small-appliance branch
circuit shall serve more than one Kitchen.

Rule#6: floor Receptacles (see fig.1)

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Receptacle outlets in floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of
general-purpose receptacle outlets unless located within 450 mm (18 in.) of the wall.
Otherwise, these Floor Receptacles will be counted as part of the small appliance branch
circuits.

Rule#7: kitchen and dining areas counters receptacles other than that used for
small appliances (see fig.1)

Receptacle outlets installed to serve kitchen or dining area counters (for small
appliances) cannot also be used as general-use receptacles for an adjacent wall space
and in this case general-use receptacle branch circuits must be added to serve such
locations.

Rule#8: general-purpose Switched receptacles (see fig.1)

Switched receptacles supplied from general-purpose 15-ampere branch circuits are

permitted to be in kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, and similar areas.

4.2.2 Calculation of small appliance branch circuit load

A. For feeder and service calculation purposes:
As per NEC section 220.52(A), in each dwelling unit, the load shall be calculated at 1500
volt-amperes for each 2-wire small-appliance branch circuit. this load will be added for
other loads to perform the feeder and service calculations.

2) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (18 mins + 2 mins checking)
Problem Solving. Solve the following problem completely. Write your solution in a separate short
bond paper. BOX your final answer.

Problem 1.
What is the general lighting and receptacle calculated load, after demand factors, for a40x50ft
(2,000 sq ft) dwelling unit?

3) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (2 mins)

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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Now answer the “What I Learned” column in Activity 1.

4) Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

"This part is a summative test. Your teacher will provide you with you the test items".

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Three things I learned:

1.

2.

3.

Two things I like to learn more:

1.

2.

One question you still have:

1.

FAQs

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
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 ELE 103: Electrical Systems and Illumination Engineering Design
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Activity 3
1. General Lighting = 40x50ft
General Lighting = 2,000 sq. ft. x 3VA per sq ft
General Lighting = 6,000 VA
First 3,000 VA at 100% 3,000 VA x1.00= 3,000 VA
Next 117,000 VA at 35% 3,000 VA x0.35= + 1,050 VA
General Lighting and General-Use Receptacles
Calculated Load = 4,050 VA

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