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🎬 NEC 2026 ARTICLE 120 SERIES
PART 1 OF 30 — INTRODUCTION TO LOAD CALCULATIONS

NEC 2026 ARTICLE 120 EXPLAINED ⚡
UNDERSTANDING LOAD CALCULATIONS
joshthesparky4 · Josh The Sparky

⚡ OPENING HOOK

Every electrical installation starts with one thing...

Load calculations. ⚠️

Before you pick a breaker, size a conductor, or design a service...

You calculate the load.

🧠 CORE IDEA

⚡ NEC Article 120 explains how electrical loads are calculated for branch circuits, feeders, and services.

These calculations determine whether an electrical system is properly sized for the equipment it serves.

If the load is wrong...

Everything downstream is wrong.

🧠 WHY IT MATTERS

⚡ Incorrect load calculations can lead to:

⚠️ Overloaded circuits
⚠️ Undersized conductors
⚠️ Incorrect breaker sizing
⚠️ Failed inspections

Accurate calculations ensure the system is safe, efficient, and code-compliant.

🧠 HOW ARTICLE 120 IS ORGANIZED

📖 Part I — General Rules
📖 Part II — Branch-Circuit Calculations
📖 Part III — Feeder & Service Calculations
📖 Part IV — Optional Calculation Methods
📖 Parts V–IX — Special Occupancies (Farms, Healthcare, RV Parks, Marinas & more)

📌 CORE TAKEAWAY

⚡ Article 120 governs how loads are calculated.

⚡ The structure of the article guides every step of system design.

⚡ Proper load calculations are essential before any equipment is sized.

⚡ FINAL LINE

If the load calculation is wrong...

Everything after it is wrong. ⚡

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