Feeder service capacity for additional loads is typically considered as what percent?

Feeder service capacity for additional loads is typically considered as what percent?

• A. 40 percent
• B. 60 percent
• C. 80 percent
• D. 100 percent

Answer: (A)

The idea here is to leave headroom in the feeder design for future growth. In practice, about 40 percent of the feeder’s capacity is reserved for additional loads. This gives a reasonable cushion to add equipment or circuits later without immediately upgrading the service, while avoiding the expense of oversized feeders from the start. If you use a much higher percentage, you’re paying for more unused capacity; if you use a lower percentage, you risk running out of capacity as loads are added.

The idea here is to leave headroom in the feeder design for future growth. In practice, about 40 percent of the feeder’s capacity is reserved for additional loads. This gives a reasonable cushion to add equipment or circuits later without immediately upgrading the service, while avoiding the expense of oversized feeders from the start. If you use a much higher percentage, you’re paying for more unused capacity; if you use a lower percentage, you risk running out of capacity as loads are added.