The minimum unit load for a multifamily dwelling must not be less than how many VA per square foot?

The minimum unit load for a multifamily dwelling must not be less than how many VA per square foot?

• A. 1.5 VA per square foot
• B. 2 VA per squarefoot
• C. 1.7 VA per square foot
• D. 3 VA per square foot

Answer: (D)

The idea here is using a unit load per square foot to estimate the baseline electrical demand for a building so you can size feeders and service appropriately. For multifamily dwellings, the code sets a minimum unit load of 3 VA per square foot. This means that for every square foot of floor area, you must assume 3 volt-amperes of load as a baseline, even before counting specific appliances or equipment. This baseline helps ensure the overall service is not undersized, since lighting, receptacles, and general use add up across all units. You still add any additional appliance, mechanical, or utility loads on top of this base and apply any applicable demand factors, but the 3 VA/ft² minimum keeps the starting point from being too low. Example: a 10,000 ft² multifamily building would have a base unit-load of 30,000 VA (10,000 ft² × 3 VA/ft²) before accounting for other loads.

The idea here is using a unit load per square foot to estimate the baseline electrical demand for a building so you can size feeders and service appropriately. For multifamily dwellings, the code sets a minimum unit load of 3 VA per square foot. This means that for every square foot of floor area, you must assume 3 volt-amperes of load as a baseline, even before counting specific appliances or equipment.

This baseline helps ensure the overall service is not undersized, since lighting, receptacles, and general use add up across all units. You still add any additional appliance, mechanical, or utility loads on top of this base and apply any applicable demand factors, but the 3 VA/ft² minimum keeps the starting point from being too low.

Example: a 10,000 ft² multifamily building would have a base unit-load of 30,000 VA (10,000 ft² × 3 VA/ft²) before accounting for other loads.