9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

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Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two
HV High Voltage Training
optec.com.au In the previous topic " Electrical Load Estimation – Part One " , I explain the definitions of the most
High Voltage Training Call OPTEC! Power
important terms in electrical load estimation and provides download links for factors used in the
Industry Training Consulting
electrical load estimation.
Free Calculator Toolbar
calculator.utilitychest.com
Also, I listed the (5) methods of electrical load estimations which were:
Calculators: Different Calculators For
Every Situation - Free!
A- Preliminary load calculation which divide to:
Government Solar Rebates
solarmarket.com.au/Rebates
Yes, Rebates Are Still Available! Get 3
1. Space by space (functional area method),
Free, No Obligation Quotes.
2. Building Area method.
3. Area method.
(3) Online
ELECTRICAL LIBRARY

B- NEC load calculations.

Electrical Design Criteria

C- Final load calculations.

Electrical Works’ Method Statements

Today, I will explain these methods for electrical load estimations.

Manufacturers Lists for Electrical
Products

Electrical Drawing Details

Note:

I will explain the (3) preliminary load estimation methods only in this course, and the two other methods,
PDF COURSES
NEC load calculations and Final load calculations will be explained later in course " EE-3: Basic Electrical
design course – Level II " , because these two methods are applied in the final stages of design.
Electrical Load Estimation Course

Excel Spre
An Introduction to Heating, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems Preliminary Electrical Load estimate

An Introduction to Lighting Design Difference between preliminary and final load estimate

An Introduction to Electrical Motor

Basics
S/N Preliminary load calculations Final load calculations Electrical
1 Units of Loads will be in (W/ft2) Units of Loads will be in KW (kilo-watt),
ELECTRICAL BOOKS
watts per square foot or/and or/and KVA (kilo-volt-ampere), or/and HP
(VA/ft2) volt-amperes per square (horse power) Electrical

foot
Electrical Books & Design Guides
Electrical
2 units are used interchangeably Units can’t used interchangeably. So, Hp will
Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency because unity power factor is be converted to kVA; and kVA may be
of Electrical Installations
assumed multiplied by the estimated power factor to
obtain kW if required
Guide for electrical design engineers
3 Unity power factor is assumed Different values of power factors according
Maintenance Manager's Guide to to load types.
Power Quality
4 Demand and load factors values Demand and load factors values are Real
Power Quality & Utilization Guide will be selected from tables based values that will document and reflect the
on the designer estimation and number, the type, the duty rating
they will be Used to calculate the (continuous, intermittent, periodic, short
Engine Application and Installation

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow
Guide transformer and service size. time, and varying), and the wattage or volt-
ampere rating of equipment supplied by a
Liquid Cooled Genset Application common source of power, and the diversity
Manual Selective c
of operation of equipment served by the
common source.
MV Design & Technical Guide
5 The connected load will be Actual demand load will be calculated based
estimated based on area or on summation of individual building
MV Application catalogue
population connected loads modified by suitable AccuSine
demand and diversity factors
Electrical and Traffic Engineering
6 Easy and Fast calculations economical, cost effective calculations
Manual
insuring that items of equipment and
materials are adequate to serve existing,
new, and future load demands
ELECTRICAL SOFTWARE

Electrical Software Programs

Preliminary load calculations will be divided to:

Riesgo Software For Performing The 1. Space by space (functional area method),
Risk Assessment Study
2. Building Area method,
StrikeRisk V5.0 for performing the Risk 3. Area method.
Assessment Study

RAPAL Software for performing the

Risk Assessment Study Note:

Erico-GEM Software Program for

Earthing Calculations
A particular design may use one Preliminary load estimate method or a combination from two or even the
Visual Professional Edition Software three methods.
(6) - Print the Results by Using the
Print Editor

Visual Professional Edition Software

(5) - Inserting Calculation Planes First: Space-by-Space Method (functional area method)

Visual Professional Edition Software In the Space-by-Space Method, the building will be divided into different space based on its function like
(4) - Inserting Luminaires
offices, conference halls, corridors and lobbies, shops, parking areas, workshops and etc. The Load
density in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) is prescribed for these different spaces, these load densities in
Visual Professional Edition Software
(3) - Starting Steps addition to spaces area will be used to estimate the preliminary electrical load of this building as
described in below.
Visual Professional Edition Software
(2) - Checking the Default Settings

Visual Professional Edition Software

(1) – Understanding the Program
Usage conditions of Space-by-Space Method
Interface

CalcuLux Software(1) - Main Window

and Bar Menus The Space-by-Space Method is used only for individual spaces in the building.
The Space-by-Space Method may be used for any building or portion of a building.
CalcuLux Software(2) - Checking The
Default Settings

CalcuLux Software(3) - Example for

Ligthing design of an Office Area Measurement in space by space method

CalcuLux Software - Part Four The square footage is measured from the outside surface of exterior walls to the centerline of walls
between interior partitions of the spaces. The sum of the Gross Interior Area equals the total Gross Area (8) differen
of the building.
CalcuLux Software - Part Five

CalcuLux Software - Part Six

Method of estimation by using Space-by-Space Method

CalcuLux Software-Part Seven In this method, we have two cases as follows:

Locating o

ID-Spec Software
First case: availability of grouped load density (i.e. one value covering all lighting, general
power and power loads) in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for each space.
DIALux Lighting Software Program-
Blue Version Second case: availability of individual load density (i.e. individual values for lighting, general
power and power loads) in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for each space.
DIALux Lighting Software Program -
Red Version
Sizing Ove

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

DIALux - Indoor Lighting Calculations

Menu Options First case

Method of estimation by using Space-by-Space Method will be as follows:

1- Divide the building into different space based on its function (for example, office, storage,
HOW TO Electrical D
mechanical, and corridor).

Write Technical Specifications for

Lightning Protection Systems 2- Calculate the gross interior area of each space. Electrical D

Determine The Number Of Down 3- Determine the grouped load density for each space (from tables).
Conductors of LPS Electrical D

4- Multiply each space gross interior area by its grouped load density to get the estimated electrical load
Perform Need for Lightning Protection for this space.
Calculations by (4) Different Methods

5- Sum all the estimated electrical loads for all spaces to get the total preliminary electrical load for the
Perform Grounding Calculations by (6)
Different Methods whole building.

Size Earthing Conductors Using NEC 6- Multiply the total preliminary electrical load for the whole building by the power factor value (= 0.8)
Tables and a suitable load factor (for future extensions and losses compensations) to get the main service size.

Size Earthing Conductors Using BS

7671

Example# 1:
Select the Best Earthing System

For a high-rise office building with shopping arcade, the power supply has to be planned for a 10-story
Calculate Voltage Drop as per U.S. building (12 floors) with a floor area of approx. 25 m x 60 m.
and European Methods

There is a car park for customers in front of the building, the access way to the parking garage (levels -1
Use NEC Annex B Tables in
to -3 for employees) and a fountain (80 m x 20 m). (Fig. 1)
Conductor Ampacity Calculations

Perform Conductor Ampacity Real floor area approx. 1350 m2 (14 levels + technical equipment on roof level).
Calculations Using NEC under
Engineering Supervision Method
Floor heights of levels 00 to +10: 4 m, levels -1 to -3: 3 m
Perform Conductor Ampacity Calculate main electrical service size for this building.
Calculations Using NEC Section
310.15 Tables

Size Overcurrent Protection Devices

Calculate the Total Demand Electrical

Load for Non-Dwelling Buildings

Calculate Electrical Demand Load for

Dwelling Buildings as per NEC
Optional Method

Calculate Electrical Demand Load for

Dwelling Buildings as per NEC
Standard Method

Calculate general-use receptacles load

in a dwelling unit

Calculate Maximum Permissible

Number Of Lighting Fixtures On A
General Lighting Branch Circuit

Calculate Track Lighting Load

Calculate The Minimum Number Of

General Lighting Branch Circuits For
Any Building

Calculate General Lighting Branch

Circuit Load For Any Building Checklist

Calculate Sign And Outline Branch

Circuits Load Fig (1)

Calculate Show Window Lighting Load The solution:

Calculate The Minimum number of Consider first case: availability of grouped load density for each space. Hence, calculations will be as
receptacle branch circuits for bank or follows:
office buildings

Calculate the Maximum allowable 1- The building will be divided to the following spaces:
number of receptacles on a branch
circuit in a dwelling unit

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

Estimate Preliminary Load By Using

Area Method Parking garage / utilities areas (incl. roof area)
Shopping center / bank
Estimate Preliminary Load By Using
The Building Area Method Offices

Estimate Preliminary Load By Using

Space-By-Space Method (Functional 2- Calculate The gross areas of each space will be as follows:
Area Method)

Design Outdoor Lighting By Using

Parking garage / utilities areas (incl. roof area) Basement levels -1 to -3 with 1,350 m2 each + utilities
Isolux Diagram Method areas ca. 210 m2 (areas between utilities hubs), Area = (3 x 1,350 m2 + 210 m2) = 4260 m2

Design Outdoor Lighting By Using The Shopping center / bank Ground level 00 with 1,350 m2 Area = 1 x 1,350 m2 = 1350 m2
Beam-Lumen Method As Per IES
Offices Levels +1 to +10 with 1,350 m2 each Area = 10 x 1,350 m2 = 13500 m2
Design Outdoor Lighting By Using The
Beam-Lumen Method As Per CIE

Design Outdoor Lighting By Using

Point-By-Point Method

Design Interior Lighting By Using By

Using Quick Estimate Charts

Design Interior Lighting By Using Watt

Per Square Feet Method

Design Interior Lighting By Using Point

By Point Method

Design Interior Lighting By Using The

Zonal Cavity (Lumen) Method

Build Preliminary Single Line Diagram

Like Professionals

Make A Preliminary Design Like

Professionals

Write Electrical Design Criteria Like

Professionals

Specify The Required Type Of Course EP

General-Use Receptacles For Each
Area In A Dwelling Unit

Distribute General-Use Receptacle

Loads In A Dwelling Unit

Select Receptacle Rating For A Branch

Circuit In A Dwelling Unit

Course EC

Table# 1
CONTACT FORM

Name 3- Determine the grouped load density for each space (from table#1) as follows:

Parking garage / utilities areas (incl. roof area)

Email *
assumed average power demand: 10 W/m2
Shopping center / bank
assumed average power demand: 60 W/m2
Message *
Offices
assumed average power demand: 50 W/m2

4- Multiply each space gross interior area by its grouped load density to get the estimated electrical load
for this space as follows:
Send

Parking garage / utilities areas (incl. roof area) Estimated electrical load = (3 x 1,350 m2 + 210 m2) x 10
W/m2 = 42,600 W
Shopping center / bank
Estimated electrical load = 1 x 1,350 m2 x 120 W/m2 = 162,000 W
HOW TO JOIN OUR SITE?
Offices Estimated electrical load = 10 x 1,350 m2 x 110 W/m2 = 1,485,000 W

5- Sum all the estimated electrical loads for all spaces to get the total preliminary electrical load for the
whole building.

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

Total preliminary electrical load for the whole building = 42,600 + 162,000 + 1,485,000 = 1,690 kW

6- Required transformer output

The established total power demand determines the required transformer output. The determination is
based on a cos phi = 0.85 and a transformer load level of 70%.
Transformer output rating = 1,690 kW / (0.7 x 0.85) = 2,840 kVA

Second Case

Method of estimation by using Space-by-Space Method will be as follows:

1- Divide the building into different space based on its function (for example, office, storage,
mechanical, and corridor).

2- Calculate the gross interior area of each space.

3- Calculate the estimated lighting, small appliance and power loads for each space as follows:

A- Estimated Lighting Load

Determine the type of light source for each space.
Determine the Lighting load density in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for this type of light source.
Consider requirements for supplementary lighting (for example, floodlighting, security
lighting, and special task lighting).
Multiply the gross interior area of the space by the assigned Lighting load density to get the
estimated lighting electrical load for this space.

B- Estimated Small Appliance Loads (general Power Load)

Small appliance loads shall include those served by general purpose receptacles. In general,
the dividing of areas by function for estimating lighting loads will serve for estimating small
appliance loads.
Determine the Small Appliance load density in (W/ft2) or/and (VA/ft2) for this space.
Consider requirements for the extent of using small appliances by the occupants of this space
(for example, Mechanical spaces in building storage areas and similar spaces in which outlets
are provided but infrequently used are usually neglected in computing loads, except for
special cases).
Multiply the gross interior area of the space by the assigned Small Appliance load density to
get the estimated Small Appliance electrical load for this space.

C- Estimated Electric Power Loads

Electric power loads shall include all loads other than lighting loads and those served by
general purpose receptacles and comprise the environmental system electric power
requirements and the facility occupancy equipment electric power requirements.

HVAC Equipment
Use the same method for small appliance loads

Lifts and Escalators, Pumps and other loads

These loads are related to the whole building and not related to the divided spaces. So, The
Space-by-Space Method cann’t estimate the required ratings for these loads and we must use
the building method for this purpose.

4- After computing the preliminary electrical loads for each space, we must sum all of them to get the
total preliminary electrical load for the whole building.

Example# 2 :

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

Consider the same building in example# 1 to be solved if individual load densities are known for each
load type as follows:

Space Load Load Density (W/M2)

Lighting 7
Parking Garage / Utilities Areas (Incl. Roof Area) Small Appliance 3
Power Load Inc. in building power
Lighting 28
Shopping Center / Bank Small Appliance 20
Power Load Inc. in building power
Lighting 28
Offices Small Appliance 20
Power Load Inc. in building power

HVAC - Pumps - Elevators -

Building Power Load 60
Others

Calculate main electrical service size for this building.

The solution:
1- The following table summarizes the calculations steps.

Estimated
Load Estimated Electrical
Space Area Load
Density Load Load For
Space

4,260 Lighting 7 29,820

Parking Garage /
Small
Utilities Areas 4,260 3 12,780 42,600 VA
Appliance
(Incl. Roof Area)

4,260 Power Load 0 0

1,350 Lighting 28 37,800

Shopping Center / Small

1,350 20 27,000 64,800 VA
Bank Appliance

1,350 Power Load 0

13,500 Lighting 28 378,000

Small
Offices 13,500 20 270,000 648,000 VA
Appliance

13,500 Power Load 0 0

HVAC –
Building Power Pumps –
14,850 60 891,000 891,000 VA
Load Elevators –
Others

Total Estimated Electrical Load 1,646,400 VA

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9/3/2014 Electrical Load Estimation – Part Two ~ Electrical Knowhow

Application Of Cos Phi = 0.85 1,936,941 VA

Application Of Load Level = 70% 2,767,059 VA

Transformer Output Rating 2,767 KVA

Free download

Watt per Square Foot based on IEEE.

Watt per Square Meter based on NEC.
Watt per Square Meter based on IEC.
Watt per Square Meter based on Other Regulations.

In the next topic, I will explain Other methods for preliminary electrical load calculations. So, please
keep following.

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4 comments:

medo88 November 28, 2012 at 2:04 PM

the best thing in your lessons is the examples , keep going and we with you .

Reply

Replies

Ali Hassan March 19, 2013 at 12:08 PM

thanks, medo88

Reply

‫ ﺷﺎدي اﻟﺳروﺟﻲ‬December 2, 2012 at 6:38 AM

‫ﺷﻛر ﷲ ﻟك ﻣﺎزﻟت أﺳﺗﻔﯾد ﻣﻧك داﺋﻣﺎ وأﻛﻣل ﻣﺷروﻋك اﻟﺗﻌﻠﯾﻣﻲ‬

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jamie how July 7, 2013 at 12:25 PM

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