Sunday, 15 February 2015

Electrical load estimation for residential buildings


The electrical load calculation for the buildings has to be calculated in two stages. Once at the conceptual or space planning stage, and again at the detailed design stage. These two calculations are generally done with two different metrics.
The lighting load estimation can be carried out on the basis of the lighting power density tables (Table 7.1 of the ECBC) an excerpt of which is given below.

Table 7.1 : Interior Lighting Power- Building Area Method

Sl.No
Building Area Type
LPD (W/m)
1
Automotive Facility
9.7
2
Multifamily Residential
7.5
3
Convention Center
12.9
4
Museum
11.8
5
Dining: Bar Lounge/Leisure
14
6
Office
10.8
7
Dining: Cafeteria/Fast Food
15.1
8
Parking Garage
3.2
9
Dining: Family
17.2
10
Performing Arts Theater
17.2
11
Dormitory/Hostel
10.8
12
Police/Fire Station
10.8
13
Gymnasium
11.8
14
Post Office/Town Hall
11.8
15
Health care-Clinic
10.8
16
Religious Building
14
17
Hospital/Health Care
12.9
18
Retail/Mall
16.1
19
Hotel
10.8
20
School/University
12.9
21
Library
14
22
Sports Arena
11.8
23
Manufacturing Facility
14
24
Transportation
10.8
25
Motel
10.8
26
Warehouse
8.6
27
Motion Picture Theater
12.9
28
Workshop
15.1

As far I know (Readers, please correct me in this) there is no standard for calculating the power allocation for socket outlets in India. The BS standard of 30w/sqm may seem to be a little on the high side for an Indian situation. A more conservative number would be 20W/sqm. The same can be considered in offices. However the HVAC load has to be added in the case of offices.
The calculation at the two stages follows the general sequence given below.

   a)      Estimation of load at the concept design stage.
1)      Data required
            Area of the building
            The total carpet area of the building with the split up for the various area
            Loads of the various other equipments.

2)      Calculation
             Multiply each of the areas by the appropriate power density as per the tables above.
             Add the load of the common areas and other equipment.

The total will give the estimated total power requirement for the building. This forms the basis for the space planning for the substations, panel rooms and riser sizing.

   b)      Load calculation at the detail design stage

The load calculation at this stage requires a more thorough approach. However since much more data is available at this stage it becomes more of a task of collating all the available data, interpreting and using the data properly.

1)      Data collection
·         Number of lighting points
·         Number of power points
·         Common area loads
·         List of equipments and their loads
·         Operating times/frequencies for these loads.

2)      Making a load list with the available data and calculation.
·         The load list should contain as much detail as possible regarding the loads.
·         Calculate the operating, maximum loads.
·         Size the cables, panels and transformer accordingly.

A sample format as shown below can be used for the calculation. The application of the diversity factor in calculating the total load is another matter which I will cover in another article.

Format for load list

Sl.No
Description
Rated
Emergency
Life Safety


kW
kVA
kW
kVA
kW
kVA
































































































Sum Total







The load list above can be used for the calculation of the loads in the various conditions. One important point to be noted is that the diversity factor will have to apllied for the loads to arrive at the final sizing of the equipments.

Ref:
  1)      National Building code
  2)      ECBC User guide

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