Add the calculated demands of each individual group together to find your total maximum demand. Practical Worked Example
If you need to calculate the maximum demand for a specific project, I can help walk you through the math. Would you like me to for a residential or commercial property, or do you want to explore the specific diversity factors used in your local electrical code? Share public link
List every electrical load in the building, grouped by functional categories. Note their power ratings in Volt-Amperes ( VAcap V cap A ) or Watts ( ). For single-phase systems ( ), convert power to current using: maximum demand calculation
Apply the relevant diversity factors stipulated by your governing electrical code to each category group.
There are several methods to determine maximum demand, ranging from simple estimations to detailed simulation. 1. The Summation Method (Simplified Approach) Add the calculated demands of each individual group
Two fundamental ratios guide engineers when evaluating these loads:
I can provide specific diversity factors and tailored formulas for your exact scenario. Share public link Share public link List every electrical load in
In practice, modern digital meters use methods. They sample current and voltage continuously, calculate instantaneous power, and then apply a thermal or averaging algorithm that mimics the heating effect of current in a conductor—since the true concern of maximum demand is thermal loading of transformers, cables, and switchgear. The most common algorithm is the block interval demand (sliding window), though thermal demand (exponential averaging) is also used for certain applications.