Maximum Demand and Diversity

The Regs states that before we design an installation we must determine

i) The nominal voltage (grade of cable insulation etc)

ii) The nature of the current and frequency (current carrying capacity and volt drop)

iii) The prospective short-circuit current at the origin of the installation (Breaking capacity of control gear) iv) The earth fault loop impedance of that part of the system external to the installation Ze (shock protection) v) The suitability for the requirements of the installation, including the Maximum demand (extensions etc) vi) The type and rating of the overcurrent protective device acting at the origin of the installation (size of meter tails etc).

Nominal Voltage
What 400v 230v

is the voltage supplied at?

Frequency
UK

supply is 50 Hertz (50Hz)

Prospective Short Circuit Current

Must

be determined at the origin of the installation must be rated accordingly

Switchgear

External Earth Fault Loop Impedance

Measured Determined Max

by enquiry

values taken from On Site Guide

Diversity in electrical terms means

All

items will not be used at all times

Example
Is

a 32A ring circuit in use all the time? you leave every light on in the house? you have all your heaters on at once?

Do Do

Example
Is

a 32A ring circuit in use all the time?

No
Do

you leave every light on in the house?

No
Do

you have all your heaters on at once?

Quite possibly, yes

Regulations
The

On Site Guide provides us with a table we can use to calculate the maximum demand of an installation Ohms Law, and ultimately, the power formula, we can calculate each stage in turn

Using

A 230 volt domestic installation consists of the following loads.

15 x Filament lighting points 6 x Fluorescent lighting points, each rated at 40 Watts 4 x Fluorescent lighting points each rated at 85 Watts 3 x Ring final circuits supplying 13 A socket outlets 1 x A3 Radial circuit supplying 13 A socket outlets for adjoining garage 1 x 3 kW immersion heater with thermostatic control 1 x 13.6 kW cooker with a 13 A socket outlet incorporated in the control unit. Determine the maximum current demand to feed this domestic installation.

Total Power
To

calculate the total demand, we first need to know how much power the installation will take do this, we once again use the power formula, i.e.

To

A 230 volt domestic installation

15

x Filament lighting points state we assume 100w for each

Regulations Therefore 15

x 100 = 1500w

A 230 volt domestic installation

6

x Fluorescent lighting points, each rated at 40 Watts to losses (Power Factor) the Regs state we have to use a multiplier for fluorescent lighting of

Due

1.8

Therefore,

1 x 40w fitting has a rating of 72w in total (40w x 1.8)

Lets do the rest as we go