What is the anticipated general lighting load in VA for typical residential installations according to NEC?

In typical residential installations, the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides guidelines for calculating the general lighting load. For single-family dwellings, the general lighting load is typically calculated at 3 volt-amperes (VA) per square foot of the area being considered. When applying this standard to a home’s square footage, the expected total usually rounds to around 5565 VA for an average home, making it consistent with typical load calculations used by electricians and designers.

This figure takes into consideration the average residential living space, providing a reliable standard for ensuring that the home’s electrical system can handle the lighting demands without exceeding capacity. The NEC aims for safety and efficiency through these standards, ensuring that electrical designs account for potential demand in practical situations.