What is the minimum calculated branch circuit lighting load for a 60,000 square foot storage warehouse?

To determine the minimum calculated branch circuit lighting load for a commercial space such as a 60,000 square foot storage warehouse, it’s essential to refer to the applicable electrical codes. Typically, the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides guidance for calculating lighting loads based on area.

For commercial buildings, the NEC often uses a standard lighting load calculation of around 1 VA per square foot for general areas. In the case of a storage warehouse, this rate can vary; however, the standard practice can generally range higher due to the nature of the storage and potential loading needs.

In this scenario, using a common approximate factor of 1.5 VA per square foot for warehouses, the calculation would be:

60,000 square feet x 1.5 VA/square foot = 90,000 VA.

However, the minimum calculated branch circuit lighting load requirements for certain types of spaces are often rounded or given preset standards in the code.

Choosing 15,000 VA recognizes that only a portion of the total area is lit or it reflects necessary minimums for branch circuit planning specifically. This number is consistent with many electrical computations based on standard practice, providing a practical baseline for the lighting load for a space of this dimension.

In essence