Quick Hits

⚡ Quick Hit: Bucket #3 — EVSE + Putting It All Together

NEC Article 120 — “Load Calcs Won't Kill You” 🔌⚡

Episode 30 — 120.82(D) EVSE Loads & The Complete Optional Dwelling Method

🪣 THE FINAL BUCKET

We've made it through:

🅱️ General Loads

🅲 Heating & Air-Conditioning

Now there's only one bucket left.

🅳 EVSE LOADS 🚗🔌

And compared with the heating/AC section?

This one's refreshingly simple.

🚗 120.82(D) — EVSE LOADS

For the optional dwelling calculation:

100% of the EVSE load

is included.

The EVSE load comes from 120.57.

Remember the rule from Episode 23:

If a nameplate rating is available:

➡️ Use the nameplate rating

If no nameplate rating is available:

➡️ Use 7,200 VA

Then 120.82(D) brings that entire calculated EVSE load into the optional dwelling calculation at:

100%

🚫 NO DEMAND-FACTOR DISCOUNT

Unlike the General Loads bucket, EVSE doesn't get the:

8 kVA @ 100% + remainder @ 40%

treatment.

And it doesn't get the heating/AC selection process either.

It's simply:

EVSE × 100%

🧮 NOW PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

We've spent Episodes 26–30 building this method one bucket at a time.

Here's the entire structure:

🅱️ GENERAL LOADS

Start with the general-load subtotal.

Then apply:

First 8 kVA → 100%

Everything over 8 kVA → 40%

🅲 HEATING & AC

Determine every applicable selection under 120.82(C).

Then:

Use the largest applicable calculated kVA

Remember the special rule for Option 6 systems from Episode 29.

🅳 EVSE

Calculate the EVSE load using 120.57.

Then:

100% of the calculated EVSE load

No discount.

➕ THE FINAL FORMULA

GENERAL LOAD

+

HEATING / AC LOAD

+

EVSE LOAD

= OPTIONAL CALCULATED FEEDER/SERVICE LOAD

That's the big picture of the optional dwelling-unit method.

⚪ WHAT ABOUT THE NEUTRAL?

One important distinction:

The optional method doesn't mean you forget about the neutral.

The neutral load is still calculated under:

120.61

So don't take the total from this formula and automatically call that your neutral load.

Different calculation.

🧠 THE ENTIRE 120.82 METHOD

🏠 STEP 1 — QUALIFY

Does the dwelling meet the requirements of 120.82(A)?

⬇️

🪣 STEP 2 — GENERAL LOADS

Calculate Bucket B.

First 8 kVA @ 100%

Remainder @ 40%

⬇️

🌡️ STEP 3 — HEATING & AC

Calculate the applicable selections under 120.82(C).

Largest applicable result wins.

⬇️

🚗 STEP 4 — EVSE

Calculate under 120.57.

100% included.

⬇️

➕ STEP 5 — ADD THE THREE BUCKETS

General + Heating/AC + EVSE

⬇️

⚡ CALCULATED FEEDER/SERVICE LOAD

🎯 TEST YOURSELF

Per 120.82(D), what percentage of the EVSE load calculated under 120.57 must be included in the optional dwelling calculation?

A) 40%

B) 65%

C) 100%

D) 70%

👇 What's your answer?

✅ ANSWER

C) 100%

The EVSE load under 120.82(D) is included at 100% of the load determined under 120.57.

🔑 REMEMBER:

General Loads → Demand Factor

Heating/AC → Largest Applicable Selection

EVSE → 100%

📌 SAVE THIS ONE

🏠 120.82 OPTIONAL DWELLING METHOD

Bucket

Calculation

🅱️ General Loads

First 8 kVA @ 100% + remainder @ 40%

🅲 Heating / AC

Largest applicable selection

🅳 EVSE

100% of 120.57 load

⚪ Neutral

Calculated separately under 120.61

B + C + D = Optional Feeder/Service Load

📸 Screenshot this section.

This is the quick-reference version of the entire 120.82 method.

🎉 YOU MADE IT THROUGH 120.82

Over the last five episodes, we've covered:

Episode 26 — Who Can Use the Optional Method?

Episode 27 — General Loads

Episode 28 — Heating & AC, Part 1

Episode 29 — Heating & AC, Part 2

Episode 30 — EVSE + Putting It All Together

That's the complete 120.82 dwelling-unit optional-method walkthrough.

But Article 120 isn't finished.

🔜 NEXT UP: 120.83

Existing Dwelling Units

The next section takes the optional calculation method into existing/retrofit situations.

📚 KEEP EXPLORING

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🧭 QUICK HIT NAVIGATION

← Back to Article 120 Quick Hits

← Episode 29 — Heating & AC (Part 2)

→ Episode 31 — 120.83 Existing Dwelling Units

🏠 120.82 SERIES

Episode 25: Welcome to Part IV

Episode 26: Who Gets to Use This Shortcut?

Episode 27: Bucket #1 — General Loads

Episode 28: Bucket #2 — Heating & AC (Part 1)

Episode 29: Bucket #2 — Heating & AC (Part 2)

Episode 30: Bucket #3 — EVSE + Putting It All Together ← YOU ARE HERE

⚠️ EDUCATIONAL NOTICE

This Quick Hit is an educational explanation based on the author's understanding of the NEC. It is not a substitute for the official NEC, applicable local amendments, manufacturer instructions, or the determination of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Always verify the requirements applicable to your specific installation.

The National Electrical Code® and NEC® are registered trademarks of NFPA. JoshTheSparky.com is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by NFPA.