What is a load calculation?

A load calculation refers to the process of determining the total electrical demand of a building or facility. This calculation involves considering all the electrical devices and systems that will be operating within the space, including lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, and other equipment. By quantifying the collective demand, a load calculation helps ensure that the electrical system is designed and installed to handle the maximum expected load safely and efficiently.

Determining the total electrical demand is critical for sizing electrical service, selecting suitable transformers, circuit breakers, and ensuring that the wiring can safely carry the expected load without overheating or causing failures. This calculation forms the basis for system design, influencing the overall safety, performance, and reliability of the electrical installation.

Other options, while related to electrical systems, do not define load calculation accurately. Measuring voltage pertains to electrical measurements, estimating wire sizes focuses on appropriate cable selection, and assessing energy consumption involves analyzing usage over time - none of these directly describe the comprehensive process of determining total electrical demand like the correct option does.