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NEC Article 220.54Worked ExampleElectrical

Calculated Service Load for an Electric Clothes Dryer Rated 5,000W at 240V

Calculate service feeder load for an electric clothes dryer under NEC Article 220.54 minimum requirements.

Direct Answer
20.83 A Load (5,000W Demand - Requires 30A Circuit with 10 AWG)

Calculated strictly in accordance with NEC Article 220.54.

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Given Scenario Parameters

wattage5000
voltage240
continuousNon-continuous

Interactive Calculator (Pre-filled)

Adjust inputs to evaluate variations of this NEC code scenario.

Interactive Electric Load Calculator

Pre-loaded with NEC 220.51 & 424.3(B) parameters

Nameplate wattage of the heating unit or load

Line-to-line or line-to-neutral

NEC 424.3(B) mandates that fixed electric space heating equipment branch circuits must be sized at 125% of the total load current.

Calculated OutputLive Recalculation
Base Running Current20.83 A5000W ÷ 240V
Required Ampacity (125%)20.83 A20.83A × 1
Minimum Circuit Breaker:25 Ampere
Recommended Conductor (75°C Cu):10 AWG Copper
Overcurrent Protection Rule:NEC 240.4 & 424.3(B)
Adjust wattage or voltage on the left to recalculate continuous service loads instantly.

Step-by-Step Solution

Formal engineering derivation citing applicable National Electrical Code articles.

Governing Code Equation
Demand = Max(Nameplate Rating, 5000W)
Citing NEC Article 220.54
1

Per NEC 220.54, the feeder demand for a residential electric dryer must be a minimum of 5,000 Watts or the nameplate rating, whichever is higher.

2

Nameplate is 5,000 W, so calculation load = 5,000 Watts.

3

Compute feeder ampacity: 5,000 W / 240 V = 20.83 Amperes.

4

Select minimum branch circuit rating per NEC 250: Minimum 30 Ampere circuit with 10 AWG copper.

Conclusion: 20.83 A Load (5,000W Demand - Requires 30A Circuit with 10 AWG)
NEC Article 220.54