ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

What is the required load for each 20 Amp circuit serving receptacles in a laundry area?

1. 1200 VA

2. 1500 VA

3. 1800 VA

4. 2000 VA

The correct answer is: 1500 VA

The required load for each 20 amp circuit serving receptacles in a laundry area is indeed 1500 VA. This value is established to ensure that each circuit provides adequate capacity for the demands of appliances typically used in laundry areas, such as washing machines, dryers, and other electronic equipment. In residential electrical design, the load calculation is critical for ensuring safety and preventing overloads. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the general requirement for a 20 amp circuit is that it can safely support up to 80% of its rated capacity for continuous loads. In practice, a 20 amp circuit at 120 volts can supply a maximum of 2400 VA, but for receptacles in laundry areas, the NEC specifies 1500 VA as the standard load per circuit to accommodate typical usage patterns without causing breaker trips or other electrical issues. Thus, when considering the electrical needs in a laundry room and applying the appropriate load calculations, selecting 1500 VA for each 20 amp circuit is the acceptable standard that upholds safety and function for residential electrical systems.