Load calculation for household electric clothes dryers uses which basis?

Load calculation for household electric clothes dryers uses which basis?

• A. Greater of 5000 watts or the nameplate rating
• B. Nameplate rating only
• C. 5000 watts only
• D. Kilovolt-amperes

Answer: (A)

For dwelling load calculations, electric clothes dryers have a minimum load consideration. You use the greater of the dryer’s nameplate wattage or 5,000 watts. This means if the nameplate rating is less than 5 kW, you still count 5 kW for the dryer; if the nameplate rating is higher than 5 kW, you use that higher value. The idea is to avoid underestimating the service load by forcing a floor of 5 kW, while not overestimating when the dryer is actually rated higher. Kilovolt-amperes aren’t the basis here because these calculations are based on real power (watts) for this appliance.

For dwelling load calculations, electric clothes dryers have a minimum load consideration. You use the greater of the dryer’s nameplate wattage or 5,000 watts. This means if the nameplate rating is less than 5 kW, you still count 5 kW for the dryer; if the nameplate rating is higher than 5 kW, you use that higher value. The idea is to avoid underestimating the service load by forcing a floor of 5 kW, while not overestimating when the dryer is actually rated higher. Kilovolt-amperes aren’t the basis here because these calculations are based on real power (watts) for this appliance.