What is the minimum number of 120 volt, 20 amp branch circuits required for the lighting of a 6,000 square foot restaurant?

In determining the minimum number of 120-volt, 20-amp branch circuits required for the lighting of a 6,000 square foot restaurant, it’s essential to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards that guide branch circuit calculations for general lighting loads.

Typically, each 120-volt, 20-amp circuit can safely power up to a certain wattage (commonly 1,920 watts), and the calculations for commercial lighting loads may use a standard of 3 watts per square foot for general lighting needs. For a restaurant that is 6,000 square feet, the total lighting load would be calculated as:

6,000 square feet x 3 watts per square foot = 18,000 watts.

To determine how many circuits are needed, divide the total load by the capacity of one circuit:

18,000 watts ÷ 1,920 watts per circuit = 9.375 circuits.

Since you can't have a fraction of a circuit, this number rounds up to 10 circuits. Depending on local codes or specific restaurant design requirements, it may typically fall within a practical range for lighting circuits. However, this specific question is gauging the minimum number required, and based on standard practices, having