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NEC CODE NEC 2020

Commercial Load Calculations (NEC 220) — NEC 2020 Edition

Free NEC 2020 practice test on commercial load calculations. Covers general lighting loads by occupancy (Table 220.12), non-dwelling receptacle demand factors (220.44), and show-window lighting (220.14(G)). Simple English, full explanations.

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The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) is the benchmark standard for safe electrical installation in the US. It is updated every 3 years by the NFPA.

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The most tested articles are 100 (Definitions), 200–250 (Wiring & Grounding), 300–314 (Wiring Methods), 400–411 (Conductors), 430 (Motors), and 700–701 (Emergency Systems).

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This Commercial Load Calculations (NEC 220) — NEC 2020 Edition has 30 questions with detailed answers and NEC references. Take the full test, review every wrong answer, and look up the NEC article it references before moving on.

Tip: Use the NEC index (back of the book) — find answers by keyword, not by article number.

Topics covered: NEC articles 100, 210, 220, 240, 250, 300, 310, 430, and special occupancies.
Passing score: Aim for 80%+ on NEC code tests before exam day.
Questions: 30 multiple-choice, one correct answer each

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Commercial Load Calculations (NEC 220) — NEC 2020 Edition — Question List

Question 1: An 80,000 square foot hospital: what is the general lighting demand load after the hospital demand factors are applied?

128,000 VA
51,200 VA
42,000 VA
35,600 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12 / Table 220.42

Question 2: For a show window, the branch-circuit and feeder demand load must be figured at how much per linear foot of window?

200 VA
150 VA
100 VA
250 VA

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14(G)

Question 3: A store has a show window 30 ft long, measured horizontally along its base. What minimum load must be included for it?

3,600 VA
5,400 VA
6,000 VA
9,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14(G)

Question 4: In a non-dwelling (commercial) building, what receptacle load must be used for each general-use receptacle outlet (each yoke), unless the equipment load is already known?

150 VA
180 VA
200 VA
250 VA

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14(G)

Question 5: A commercial branch circuit may carry a computed load of no more than 3,400 VA. At 180 VA per general-use receptacle outlet, what is the maximum number of outlets?

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14(I)

Question 6: In a non-dwelling occupancy, the total computed general-use receptacle load is 14,000 VA. Using the receptacle demand-factor rule, what is the demand load?

12,000 VA
14,000 VA
7,000 VA
10,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC 220.44

Question 7: A 10,000 square foot office building uses the NEC unit lighting load for offices and banks. What is the connected general lighting load, before any demand factor is applied?

13,000 VA
35,000 VA
10,000 VA
20,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 8: What is the general lighting unit load for hotels and motels (including apartment houses without provision for cooking by tenants) in Table 220.12?

1.3 VA per sq ft
1.7 VA per sq ft
2 VA per sq ft
2.5 VA per sq ft

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 9: A 12,000 square foot storage warehouse: what is the general lighting demand load after the warehouse demand factors are applied?

3,000 VA
7,200 VA
13,450 VA
14,400 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12 / Table 220.42

Question 10: What is the general lighting unit load for a restaurant in Table 220.12?

1.2 VA per sq ft
1.5 VA per sq ft
2 VA per sq ft
3.5 VA per sq ft

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 11: What is the general lighting unit load for a retail store in Table 220.12?

3 VA per sq ft
2.5 VA per sq ft
1.9 VA per sq ft
1.5 VA per sq ft

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 12: What is the general lighting unit load for a religious facility in Table 220.12?

1.3 VA per sq ft
1.6 VA per sq ft
1.9 VA per sq ft
2.2 VA per sq ft

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 13: According to the notes to Table 220.12, banks use the same general lighting unit load as which other occupancy type?

Office buildings
Warehouses
Hospitals
Auditoriums

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 14: For occupancy types not specifically listed in Table 220.42, what lighting demand factor applies?

100%
50%
35%
25%

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.42

Question 15: For a hospital, the general lighting demand factor in Table 220.42 changes at what connected-load threshold?

50,000 VA
20,000 VA
100,000 VA
10,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.42

Question 16: For a warehouse (storage only), the general lighting demand factor gives 100% for the first how many VA of connected load?

12,500 VA
3,000 VA
50,000 VA
25,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.42

Question 17: In a non-dwelling occupancy, what demand factor applies to the portion of the general-use receptacle load ABOVE the first 10 kVA?

50%
100%
25%
75%

NEC Reference: NEC 220.44

Question 18: A continuous load in a commercial branch circuit is 16 amperes. What is the minimum conductor ampacity required, unless the equipment is listed for 100% continuous duty?

16 amperes
20 amperes
25 amperes
32 amperes

NEC Reference: NEC 210.19(A)(1)

Question 19: According to the notes to Table 220.12, armories and auditoriums are treated as which type of occupancy?

Gymnasium-type
Retail-type
Office-type
Warehouse-type

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 20: For dwelling-unit general lighting load, what demand factor applies to the portion of connected load between 3,001 VA and 120,000 VA?

35%
100%
25%
50%

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.42

Question 21: A building has both a retail store area and an office area. How should the general lighting load be calculated?

Apply each occupancy's own unit load to its own floor area
Always use the higher of the two values for the whole building
Always use the lower of the two values for the whole building
Lighting load calculations are skipped for mixed-use buildings

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 22: A 20,000 square foot hotel (guest rooms, no cooking by tenants) uses the unit load in Table 220.12. What is the connected general lighting load before demand factors?

26,000 VA
30,000 VA
34,000 VA
40,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 23: For load calculation purposes, what is the minimum load that must be included for each commercial building or occupancy that allows a sign?

1,200 VA
600 VA
2,400 VA
180 VA

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14(F)

Question 24: An office building has a connected general lighting load of 15,000 VA. Offices are not listed with a reduced demand factor in Table 220.42. What demand load applies?

15,000 VA
10,500 VA
5,250 VA
7,500 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.42

Question 25: In a dwelling unit, do general-use receptacle outlets typically get an additional 180 VA-per-yoke load added on top of the general lighting load?

No, it is already included in the general lighting load
Yes, always add 180 VA per yoke
Only for outdoor receptacles
Only if there are more than 10 receptacles

NEC Reference: NEC 220.14

Question 26: What is the general lighting unit load for offices (and banks) in Table 220.12?

1.3 VA
3.5 VA
2 VA
0.5 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 27: When calculating a commercial feeder or service load by the standard method, what is generally calculated first?

The grounding electrode conductor size
The main breaker size from the panel schedule
The service conductor voltage drop
The general lighting load from the floor area

NEC Reference: NEC 220.40

Question 28: A 5,000 square foot retail store uses the unit load in Table 220.12. What is the connected general lighting load?

15,000 VA
9,500 VA
7,500 VA
5,000 VA

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Question 29: What is the maximum rating of a branch circuit that supplies signs with incandescent and fluorescent forms of illumination?

15 amperes
20 amperes
30 amperes
40 amperes

NEC Reference: NEC 600.5(B)

Question 30: Which occupancy type has the LOWEST general lighting unit load per square foot in NEC Table 220.12: warehouse, office, retail store, or restaurant?

Warehouse
Office
Retail store
Restaurant

NEC Reference: NEC Table 220.12

Key NEC References for This Test

Article	What It Covers
Ch. 1–4	General rules — apply to all installations
Ch. 5–7	Special rules — override Ch. 1–4 where they conflict
Ch. 8	Communications — completely independent of Ch. 1–7
Ch. 9	Tables — referenced by articles, not standalone enforceable rules
Art. 210.12	AFCI — major expansion in NEC 2026
Art. 230.67	Surge protection at service equipment — new NEC 2026

Study Tip: Learn the NEC index — use keywords, not article numbers. Practice finding 5 different topics in under 2 minutes each.

Commercial Load Calculations (NEC 220) — NEC 2020 Edition

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Commercial Load Calculations (NEC 220) — NEC 2020 Edition — Question List

Question 1: An 80,000 square foot hospital: what is the general lighting demand load after the hospital demand factors are applied?

Question 2: For a show window, the branch-circuit and feeder demand load must be figured at how much per linear foot of window?

Question 3: A store has a show window 30 ft long, measured horizontally along its base. What minimum load must be included for it?

Question 4: In a non-dwelling (commercial) building, what receptacle load must be used for each general-use receptacle outlet (each yoke), unless the equipment load is already known?

Question 5: A commercial branch circuit may carry a computed load of no more than 3,400 VA. At 180 VA per general-use receptacle outlet, what is the maximum number of outlets?

Question 6: In a non-dwelling occupancy, the total computed general-use receptacle load is 14,000 VA. Using the receptacle demand-factor rule, what is the demand load?

Question 7: A 10,000 square foot office building uses the NEC unit lighting load for offices and banks. What is the connected general lighting load, before any demand factor is applied?

Question 8: What is the general lighting unit load for hotels and motels (including apartment houses without provision for cooking by tenants) in Table 220.12?

Question 9: A 12,000 square foot storage warehouse: what is the general lighting demand load after the warehouse demand factors are applied?

Question 10: What is the general lighting unit load for a restaurant in Table 220.12?

Question 11: What is the general lighting unit load for a retail store in Table 220.12?

Question 12: What is the general lighting unit load for a religious facility in Table 220.12?

Question 13: According to the notes to Table 220.12, banks use the same general lighting unit load as which other occupancy type?

Question 14: For occupancy types not specifically listed in Table 220.42, what lighting demand factor applies?

Question 15: For a hospital, the general lighting demand factor in Table 220.42 changes at what connected-load threshold?

Question 16: For a warehouse (storage only), the general lighting demand factor gives 100% for the first how many VA of connected load?

Question 17: In a non-dwelling occupancy, what demand factor applies to the portion of the general-use receptacle load ABOVE the first 10 kVA?

Question 18: A continuous load in a commercial branch circuit is 16 amperes. What is the minimum conductor ampacity required, unless the equipment is listed for 100% continuous duty?

Question 19: According to the notes to Table 220.12, armories and auditoriums are treated as which type of occupancy?

Question 20: For dwelling-unit general lighting load, what demand factor applies to the portion of connected load between 3,001 VA and 120,000 VA?

Question 21: A building has both a retail store area and an office area. How should the general lighting load be calculated?

Question 22: A 20,000 square foot hotel (guest rooms, no cooking by tenants) uses the unit load in Table 220.12. What is the connected general lighting load before demand factors?

Question 23: For load calculation purposes, what is the minimum load that must be included for each commercial building or occupancy that allows a sign?

Question 24: An office building has a connected general lighting load of 15,000 VA. Offices are not listed with a reduced demand factor in Table 220.42. What demand load applies?

Question 25: In a dwelling unit, do general-use receptacle outlets typically get an additional 180 VA-per-yoke load added on top of the general lighting load?

Question 26: What is the general lighting unit load for offices (and banks) in Table 220.12?

Question 27: When calculating a commercial feeder or service load by the standard method, what is generally calculated first?

Question 28: A 5,000 square foot retail store uses the unit load in Table 220.12. What is the connected general lighting load?

Question 29: What is the maximum rating of a branch circuit that supplies signs with incandescent and fluorescent forms of illumination?

Question 30: Which occupancy type has the LOWEST general lighting unit load per square foot in NEC Table 220.12: warehouse, office, retail store, or restaurant?

Key NEC References for This Test

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