NEC Tables · Load Calculations

Table 220.55 — household range demand

Why a 12 kW range only demands 8 kW — the most note-driven table in the load-calc chapter.

Free · NEC 2023 · Updated
8
1 · Column CMaximum Demand (kW)(See Notes)(Not over 12 kW Rating)
per Table 220.55 — check the notes for over-12 kW ranges
Exam trapNote 1: over 12 kW, Column C grows 5% for each kW above 12. The exam’s favorite range question is a 16 kW range that everyone answers 8 kW instead of 9.6 kW.

Ranges rarely run every element at once, so Article 220 lets you take deep demand reductions. Column C gives the maximum demand for ranges up to 12 kW; columns A and B apply percentage factors for smaller appliances — and the five notes adjust everything for larger ranges, unequal sizes, and branch-circuit sizing.

Number of AppliancesColumn A(Less than 312 kW Rating)Column B(312 kW through 834 kW Rating)Column CMaximum Demand (kW)(See Notes)(Not over 12 kW Rating)
180808
2756511
3705514
4665017
5624520
6594321
7564022
8533623
9513524
10493425
11473226
12453227
13433228
14413229
15403230
16392831
17382832
18372833
19362834
20352835
21342636
22332637
23322638
24312639
25302640
26–30302415 kW + 1 kW for each range
31–403022
41–50302025 kW + 34 kW for each range
51–603018
61 and over3016
Notes that change the answer — 220.55

Notes:

1. Over 12 kW through 27 kW ranges all of same rating. For ranges individually rated more than 12 kW but not more than 27 kW, the maximum demand in Column C shall be increased 5 percent for each additional kilowatt of rating or major fraction thereof by which the rating of individual ranges exceeds 12 kW.

2. Over 834 kW through 27 kW ranges of unequal ratings. For ranges individually rated more than 834 kW and of different ratings, but none exceeding 27 kW, an average value of rating shall be calculated by adding together the ratings of all ranges to obtain the total connected load (using 12 kW for any range rated less than 12 kW) and dividing by the total number of ranges. Then the maximum demand in Column C shall be increased 5 percent for each kilowatt or major fraction thereof by which this average value exceeds 12 kW.

3. Over 134 kW through 834 kW. In lieu of the method provided in Column C, adding the nameplate ratings of all household cooking appliances rated more than 134 kW but not more than 834 kW and multiplying the sum by the demand factors specified in Column A or Column B for the given number of appliances shall be permitted. Where the rating of cooking appliances falls under both Column A and Column B, the demand factors for each column shall be applied to the appliances for that column, and the results added together.

4. Calculating the branch-circuit load for one range in accordance with Table 220.55 shall be permitted.

5. The branch-circuit load for one wall-mounted oven or one counter-mounted cooking unit shall be the nameplate rating of the appliance.

6. The branch-circuit load for a counter-mounted cooking unit and not more than two wall-mounted ovens, all supplied from a single branch circuit and located in the same room, shall be calculated by adding the nameplate rating of the individual appliances and treating this total as equivalent to one range.

7. This table shall also apply to household cooking appliances rated over 134 kW and used in instructional programs.

Values derived from the 2023 National Electrical Code for exam study. Verify installations against the adopted code and local amendments.

Race your codebook — 3 lookups on this table

Q1

A TV studio is installing permanently installed feeders from the substation to the stage, feeding stage set lighting. The design load rarely sees the full connected lighting load energized simultaneously. Which section's table would you apply to reduce the feeder sizing based on the connected stage set lighting load?

  1. A 530.9(A)
  2. B 530.5(A)
  3. C 530.7
  4. D 530.11
Show answer & explanation

Correct: C — 530.7

530.7 hosts Table 530.7, the demand factor table used to reduce the maximum possible connected stage set lighting load when sizing permanently installed feeders. 530.11 covers branch circuits (not feeder demand sizing), and 530.9(A)/530.5(A) address receptacle ratings and general wiring methods, none of which involve demand factors.

Q2

An electrician is sizing the permanently installed feeder run between the main stage switchboard and a stage distribution center in a motion picture studio. Which section allows a reduced load calculation instead of using the full connected lighting load?

  1. A 530.3(A)
  2. B 530.12(A)
  3. C 530.10(B)
  4. D 530.7
Show answer & explanation

Correct: D — 530.7

530.7 specifically permits applying demand factors (via Table 530.7) to feeders between the main stage switchboard and stage distribution centers. 530.10(B) deals with paralleled single-pole connectors, 530.12(A) with enclosing live parts, and 530.3(A) with restricted access to studios — none address feeder load calculations.

Q3

A dwelling unit has a 15 kW wall-mounted oven and a separate cooktop, and the electrician wants to apply demand factors to reduce the calculated load for these cooking appliances. Which table should be consulted, and where is it referenced for this permission?

  1. A 220.16(A)
  2. B 220.11(C)
  3. C 220.14(B)
  4. D 220.11(A)
Show answer & explanation

Correct: B — 220.11(C)

220.11(C) permits applying Table 220.55 demand factors to household cooking appliance loads over 1¾ kW. 220.14(B) instead sets the fixed volt-ampere load to use for dryers/cooking appliances when sizing feeders under the general load method, not the demand-factor table reference.

Keep going

Dwelling Load Calculator Applies 220.55 for you Article 220 practice questions 32 questions
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