Quick Hits

⚡ Quick Hit: Offices (Again) & Hotel Rooms

Article 120 — Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations

Episode 9

🏢 THE QUICK HIT

We already looked at office receptacle loads at the branch-circuit level in 120.14(J).

Now we're moving up to the feeder/service level — and there's an extra step.

We'll also look at how certain receptacle and lighting outlets in hotel and motel guest rooms are handled within the unit load.

🏢 120.43 — Office Buildings

At the feeder/service level, the receptacle load for office buildings is the larger of:

1️⃣ The 120.14(I) Calculated Load

But there's an important step:

Apply the applicable Table 120.47 demand factors first.

OR

2️⃣ 1 VA per Square Foot

1 VA/ft²

or approximately

11 VA/m²

Whichever calculated value is larger is used.

🔄 THE KEY DIFFERENCE

This is where the feeder/service calculation differs from the branch-circuit calculation.

Branch-Circuit Level

120.14(J)

Feeder/Service Level

120.43

At the feeder/service level, the Table 120.47 demand factors are applied to the 120.14(I) calculated load before making the comparison with the 1 VA/ft² value.

💡 REMEMBER

Calculate → Apply demand factor → Compare

🏨 120.44 — Hotel & Motel Guest Rooms

Hotel and motel guest rooms and suites have another special provision.

Certain outlets are already included in the Table 120.42(A) unit load.

That means they don't require a separate load calculation under this provision.

✅ INCLUDED

General-use receptacle outlets rated 20 amperes or less

210.52(E)(3) receptacle outlets

210.70 lighting outlets

💡 THE BIG IDEA

For these specified guest-room loads:

They're already baked into the Table 120.42(A) unit load.

No separate calculation is needed for those outlets under 120.44.

🎯 TEST YOURSELF

Per 120.44, which of these is already included in a hotel guest room's Table 120.42(A) unit load?

A) Motor outlets over 1/8 hp

B) General-use 20-ampere-or-less receptacle outlets

C) Sign and outline lighting

D) Show-window loads

👇 What's your answer?

✅ ANSWER

B) General-use 20-ampere-or-less receptacle outlets

These specified general-use receptacles are already included in the Table 120.42(A) unit load.

🔑 REMEMBER

Hotel/Motel Guest Room

➡️ Table 120.42(A) unit load

➡️ Certain receptacle and lighting outlets are already included

➡️ No separate calculation for those specified outlets under 120.44

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⚠️ 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.

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