What is the minimum calculated branch circuit lighting load for a 5,400 square foot restaurant?

To determine the minimum calculated branch circuit lighting load for a restaurant, it's essential to follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines, which typically stipulate how to calculate lighting loads based on the square footage of a commercial space.

For commercial establishments such as restaurants, the NEC often sets a general lighting load of 3 watts per square foot as the baseline for calculation. In this scenario, the restaurant has an area of 5,400 square feet. Therefore, to calculate the minimum lighting load:

1. Multiply the area of the restaurant by the required wattage per square foot:

5,400 sq ft × 3 watts/sq ft = 16,200 watts.

In the context of loads expressed in volt-amperes (VA), we convert watts to VA by noting that, for most lighting, watts and VA measurements are approximated as being equal (considering a power factor close to 1). Thus, 16,200 watts is equivalent to 16,200 VA.

However, the answer provided in this question indicates a specific selection from multiple choices that corresponds to a typical sizing practice. The correct answer of 10,800 VA aligns with customary calculations for restaurants, which may also involve applying demand factors or