Example:

Calculate the right size of load center or distribution board for an 1500 ft 2 (square foot)
or 139.35 m2 (square meters) home floor plan having the following load points:
 Air conditioner: 240V x 25A = 6000 VA = 6 kVA
 Electric range: 240V x 35A = 9600 VA = 8.4 kVA
 Electric heater: 240V x 30A = 7200 VA = 7.2 kVA
 Clothes dryer: 240V x 15A = 3600 VA = 3.6 kVA
 Dishwasher: 120V x 10A = 1200 VA = 1.2 kVA
 Garbage disposal = 120V x 8A = 960VA = 0.96 kVA
 Two Small appliances circuits in the kitchen for refrigerator, blinder, etc.
 General lighting, fans, bathroom appliances and future load etc.

Solution:
Let us find and calculate the power rating for different home appliances based on floor
plan without basement and garage using NEC codes and related tables.
General Lighting Load:
The minimum general lighting load including non-appliance receptacles for home
appliances e.g. TV, table light etc) for a dwelling is 3 VA per ft 2 (NEC Table 220.12).
This way, the general lighting load for 1800 ft 2 (given in example):
3 VA x 1500 ft2 = 4500 VA = 4.5 kVA
Small Appliances Load
There should be at least two 120V, 20A small appliance circuits i.e. in the kitchen for
small appliances such as coffee maker & toasters etc. (NEC Article 210.11(C)(1). These
circuits should be rated at 1.5 kVA (NEC Article 220.52(A). This way, the small
appliances loads in the given example house:
2 x 1500 VA = 3000 VA = 3 kVA
Laundry Circuit
There should be at least one 120V, 20A circuit for the laundry area (NEC Article
210.11(C)(2). The minimum VA rating of the laundry circuit should be 1.5 kVA (NEC
Article 220.52(B). This way, the load rating in the laundry area:
1500 VA = 1.5 kVA
This way, the total general lighting and small appliances including laundry circuit rating:
 General lighting = 4.5 kVA
 Small appliance load = 3 kVA
 Laundry circuit = 1.5 kVA
Total of general lighting and small appliances = 4.5 kVA + 3 kVA + 1.5 kVA = 9 kVA
Demand Factor
As we know that all electrical appliances are not operational at once i.e. (only one can
be used as either electric heater or refrigerator depending on the temperature).
Similarly, all equipment are not always ON continuously such as electric iron, water
heater, lighting, fans etc. For this reason, the first 3 kVA  is rated at 100% while the
remaining load can be rated at a demand factor of 35% (NEC Table 220.42). This way
 The first 3 kVA at 100% = 3 kVA
 Remaining 6 kVA (9 kVA – 3 kVA) at 35% = 2.1 kVA
Net total of general lighting and small appliances =  3 kVA + 2.1 kVA = 5.1 kVA
Large Appliance Loads
High power rating e.g. large appliances with continuous and non-continues operation
should be handled differently. We have the following high power rated appliances in the
above example:
 Air conditioner: 240V x 25A = 6 kVA
 Electric range: 240V x 35A =  8.4 kVA
 Electric heater: 240V x 30A =  7.2 kVA
 Clothes dryer: 240V x 15A = 3.6 kVA
As we have already mentioned above, an air conditioner or electric heater can be used
at the same time i.e only one appliance is needed to operate based on the temperature.
In this case, appliances with larger ratings should be taken into account (NEC® Article
220.82(C)). In our example, the rating of electric heater (7.2 kVA) is greater than the air-
conditioner (6 kVA), so we will consider the heater then, i.e. 7.2 kVA
The rest of the appliances should be rated at 100% except electric range as it is used
for a short time i.e. it is very non-continuous as compared to other appliances. The
allowable demand factor for 7.2 kW electric heater is 5.76 kW (NEC Table 220.55). We
assumed the power factor is unity i.e. “1” where apparent power = real power e.g. kVA =
kW. This way;
 Electric range: = 8.4 kVA
 Electric heater =  5.76 kVA
 Clothes dryer: = 3.6 kVA
Net total of large rated appliances = 8.4 kVA + 5.76 kVA + 3.6 kVA = 17.76 kVA
Miscellaneous Loads
The miscellaneous loads given in the example are:
 Dishwasher = 1.2 kVA
 Garbage disposal = 0.96 kVA
Net miscellaneous load rating = 1.2kVA + 0.96 kVA = 2.16 kVA
Total Load
Load Points kW or kVA Rating

General lighting, laundry & small load 5.1 kVA

Net large appliance load 17.76 kVA

Miscellaneous appliance load 2.16 kVA

Total Load 25.02 kVA

Needed Service
The common supply voltage levels in the US supplied to residential homes are
120V/240V. Thus, we may use the highest level of voltage to determine the required
service (for amps) by using the following formula.
I=P/V
Where:
 I = Current in Amperes
 P = Power in Watts (or kVA where PF = 1)
 V = Voltage in Volts
Putting the values;
I = 25.02 kVA / 240V
I = 104.25A
It means, the required service is 105A. But we have to add the future expansion and
safety factor as well.
Future Load:
It is important to add a space of at least two branch circuits for the future expansion.
The minimum of 2 breakers each of min 10A space should be added i.e. 2 x 10A = 20A
The total Amps = 20A + 104.25A = 124.25A
Safety Factor
It is recommended to add a safety factor of 20% to the total amperage as circuit
breakers and their operations in the load center are affected by the rise in the
temperature. This way, the total current in the amperes:
Net total Amps = 20% + 124.25A = 149A
The suitable size of load center or distribution panel = 150 Amperes
Based on the above calculations, the right size of load center or panelboard is
150A which is nearest available to the calculated value.
Click image to enlarge
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How to Size a Distribution Board? 3-Phase, 400V – IEC
In the following example, we will show you how to calculate the right size of three phase
400V distribution board which is mostly applicable in countries following the IEC rules
e.g. UK, EU and former British colonies.
Example: 
What is the right size of a three phase distribution board if the estimated total load in a
home is 50 kVA. The load is a combination of single phase and three phase
systems (400V & 230V AC) including air-conditioning, refrigerator, electric range, water
pumps, washing machines and general lighting points etc. Consider the power factor of
0.9.
Solution:
First of all, we will find the required amperes by using the three phase current formula.
P = √3 x V x I x Cos Ф
I = P / √3 x V x Cos Ф
Putting the values:
I = 50kW x / √3 x 400V x 0.9
I = 80.18A
Demand or Diversity Factor:
The general diversity factor is 80% of the f connected load (see IEC 60439 for more
details). In this case,
80% x 80.18A = 64.15 A.
Future Expansion:
The general rule of thumb for safety factor is 20%. So you may add it as well if needed.
20% x 64.15A = 76.98 A
Safety Factor
The minimum safe range of the safety factor is 20-25%. So we will it add it to the
calculated value of load current as follows:
25% x 76.98 A = 96.22 A
Now, the nearest standard available rating of MCCB shall be 100A for the three
phase 400V distribution board which is the suitable size to handle a 50 kW load.
Related Posts:
 How to Wire a Three Phase, 400V Distribution Board? IEC & UK
 How to Wire Combo of 3-Φ & 1-Φ, 400V/230V Distribution Board?
 How to Wire 3-Phase & 1-Phase Split Load Distribution Board?
How to Size a Consumer Unit? Single-Phase, 230V – IEC
The following example will show you how to find the right size of single phase 230V AC
consumer unit or garage unit and associated MCB/MCCB to handle the residential load.
Example: 
Find the proper size of a single phase consumer unit if the estimated total load in a
home is 12 kVA.
Solution:
Generally, the power factor of residential homes having normal loads is considered as
unity “1”. This way, the total load in kVA = kW i.e. the apparent power is equal to the
real power in watts due to the absence of power factor.
Now, we will have to first calculate the load current using the general formula of current
in amperes for single phase circuits.
First of all, we will find the required amperes by using the three phase current formula.
P =  V x I x Cos Ф
I = P / V x Cos Ф
Putting the values:
I = 12 kW x / 230V x 1
I = 52.17A
Demand or Diversity Factor:
The general diversity factor is 80% of the connected load (You may select the proper %
according to the load type in the IEC 60439). In this case,
80% x 52.17A = 41.74 A
Future Expansion:
The general rule of thumb for safety factor is 20%. So you may add it as well if needed.
20% x 41.74A = 50 A
Safety Factor
The minimum safe range of the safety factor is 20-25%. So we will it add it to the
calculated value of load current as follows:
25% x 50 A = 62.5 A
This way, we may select the nearest standard available rating of MCCB which is 63A for
the single phase 230V consumer unit. Based on the calculation, this 63A MCB or
MCCB is the right size to handle a 12kW load in residential homes.
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