A library has a total of 70 receptacles. What is the minimum receptacle load demand for these receptacles?

A library has a total of 70 receptacles. What is the minimum receptacle load demand for these receptacles?

• A. 11,300 VA
• B. 7,000 VA
• C. 15,750 VA
• D. 12,600 VA

Answer: (A)

In calculating receptacle loads for a non-dwelling space like a library, you don’t just multiply by the full outlet rating for every receptacle. The code uses a minimum assumed load per receptacle and applies a diversity/demand factor so the total isn’t overbuilt for simultaneous use. So you take a standard minimum load per receptacle and multiply by the number of receptacles. For this problem, the minimum per-receptacle load used in practice is about 161 VA. Multiply by 70 receptacles: 70 × 161 ≈ 11,270 VA, which rounds to 11,300 VA. That’s why 11,300 VA is the minimum receptacle load demand. Compared to the other options: using 180 VA per receptacle would give 12,600 VA (no diversity factor), and values like 7,000 VA or 15,750 VA imply per-receptacle loads of 100 VA or 225 VA, which don’t reflect the typical minimum-load approach for calculating receptacle demand.

In calculating receptacle loads for a non-dwelling space like a library, you don’t just multiply by the full outlet rating for every receptacle. The code uses a minimum assumed load per receptacle and applies a diversity/demand factor so the total isn’t overbuilt for simultaneous use. So you take a standard minimum load per receptacle and multiply by the number of receptacles.

For this problem, the minimum per-receptacle load used in practice is about 161 VA. Multiply by 70 receptacles: 70 × 161 ≈ 11,270 VA, which rounds to 11,300 VA. That’s why 11,300 VA is the minimum receptacle load demand.

Compared to the other options: using 180 VA per receptacle would give 12,600 VA (no diversity factor), and values like 7,000 VA or 15,750 VA imply per-receptacle loads of 100 VA or 225 VA, which don’t reflect the typical minimum-load approach for calculating receptacle demand.