17 | Current Demand and Diversity 

What is current demand ?

Current Demand or Maximum demand is the maximum anticipated installation load plus any allowance for future loading. Maximum demand (often referred to as MD) is the largest current normally carried by circuits, switches and protective devices.

CD does not include the levels of current flowing under overload or short circuit conditions. When assessing maximum demand, account must be taken of the possible growth in demand during the life of the installation. 

Current Demand Table (IEE)

Type of outlet 

Assumed current demand 

Household example calculations:

1.    Lighting Circuit 

       - 5nos. of 36 watt Florescent Lamp   = 36w x 5 x 1.8 ÷ 240v = 1.35 A

       - 3nos. of 18 watt Florescent Lamp   = 18w x 3 x 1.8 ÷ 240v = 0.40 A

        -1no. of 80 watt Ceiling Fan                  = 80w x 1.8 ÷ 240v =  0.6 A

        - 2nos. of 50 watt wall fans                    = 50w x 2 x 1.8 ÷ 240v =  0.75 A

                        Note:  Wx1.8 for inductive load (or discharge lamps) with switch gear and ballast factor included.

          Total Current Demand for lighting is;    1.35 + 0.4 + 0.6 + 0.75 = 3.1 A



2.    Power socket outlet   (For ringed circuit)

         -  1no.  1800 watt Washing machine   = 1800w ÷ 240v = 7.5 A

         -  1no.  600 watt refrigerators                 = 600w ÷ 240v = 2.5 A

         -  1no.  300 watt TV                                        = 300w ÷ 240v = 1.25 A

         -  1no.  500 watt Computer                       = 500w ÷ 240v = 2.08 A

          Total Current Demand for power point is;   = 7.5 + 2.5 + 1.25 + 2.08  = 13.33 A


3.    Cooker Point   (known as radial circuit)

         - Electric oven 2500 watt  and  electric rice cooker 380 watt

         Solution:        Ib = (2500w + 380w) ÷ 240v  = 12 A

                                     CD = 10A + 5A + (Ib - 10) x 0.3          (0.3=> 30% remainder)

                                              = 15A + (12A-10A) x 0.3    = 15.6 A


4.   Water Heater (for Shower) 

        Consider as 100% as maximum load.  Example a water heater 1500 watt/240v.

        current demand   CD = P ÷ V        = 1500w ÷ 240v    = 6.25 A


Total current demand from  all calculation above (1,2,3,4) is ;     

    = 3.1 A + 13.33 A + 15.6 A + 6.25 A = 38.28 A

What is diversity demand   

Diversity demand is the ratio of maximum demand to the connected load. 

Sometime this also known as "estimated current".

Formula;   

     Diversity  = maximum demand ÷ connected load

There three(3) areas for this diversity factor table:

Allowance for diversity Table  

House hold or  Residential 

Type of circuit :     


Household


Note the following abbreviations :X is the full load current of the largest appliance or circuitY is the full load current of the second largest circuitZ is the full load current of the remaining appliances or circuits 

Household example calculations:

1.    Lighting circuit    

         Given the total lighting current demand is 3.25 A, find the diversity load? 

             DL = CD x 66%         = 3.25A x 66÷100   = 2.145 A


2.    Power circuit   (ringed circuit)

        - 1no x 1300 watt Hifi system                 CD= P ÷ V     = 1300w ÷ 240v = 5.416  A    (marked  Y second largest current in circuit)  

        - 1no x 1500 watt washing machine    CD= P ÷ V     = 1500w ÷ 240v = 6.25 A   (marked  X largest current in circuit)

        - 1no x 350 watt TV                                       CD= P ÷ V     = 350w ÷ 240v = 1.45 A   (marked  z remainder current in circuit)

        - 1no x 560 watt Desktop computer    CD= P ÷ V     = 560w ÷ 240v = 2.33 A  (marked  z remainder current in circuit)

           Total diversity is    DL = X + (Y + Z) x 40%  

                                                           =  6.25 A + ( 5.416 A + 1.45A + 2.33A ) x 0.4   = 9.92 A


3.    Cooker Point

         - Electric cooker pot 2500 watt  and  electric rice cooker 320 watt

         Solution:        Ib = (2500w + 320w) ÷ 240v  = 11.75 A

                                     CD = 10A + 5A + (Ib - 10) x 0.3          (0.3=> 30% remainder)

                                              = 15A + (11.75 A-10 A) x 0.3    = 15.52 A


Total diversity from all calculation (1,2,3)  above is ;      = 2.145 A + 9.92 A + 15.52 A   = 27.585 A


Allowance for diversity Table  

Offices, Shop Unit 

Type of circuit :     



Shop lot unit, Office

Example calculations for office  

1.    Lighting circuit    

        Given the total lighting current demand is 16.5 A, find the diversity load? 

             DL = CD x 90%         = 16.5A x 90 ÷100   =  14.85 A


2.    Power circuit   (ringed circuit)

        - 1no x 1300 watt Hifi system      CD= P ÷ V     = 1300w ÷ 240v = 5.416  A    (marked  z second largest current in circuit)  

        - 1no x 860 watt Fridge      CD= P ÷ V     = 860 w ÷ 240v = 3.58 A   (marked  z largest current in circuit)

        - 1no x 380 watt TV        CD= P ÷ V     = 380w ÷ 240v = 1.45 A   (marked  z remainder current in circuit)

        - 4nos. x 560 watt Desktop computer    CD= P ÷ V     = (4 x 560w) ÷ 240v = 9.33 A  (marked  Y remainder current in circuit)

        - 1no. x 2500 watt photostat machine    CD= P ÷ V     = 2500w ÷ 240v = 10.41 A  (marked  X remainder current in circuit)

           Total diversity is    DL = 100%X + 75%(Y+Z) 

                                                           =  10.41 A + ( 9.33A + 5.416 A + 3.58 A + 1.45A ) x 0.75   =  25.24 A


3.     Thermostatic water heaters      ( diversity current no allowance, 100% of CD )

         Electric water heater 2900 watt   CD= P ÷ V     = 2900 w ÷ 240v = 12.08 A       


Total diversity from all calculation (1,2,3)  above is ;      =  14.85 A + 25.24 A + 12.08 A   = 52.17 A

Allowance for diversity Table  C 

Hotels,  guest houses, Hall

Type of circuit :     



Hotels, guest houses 

Example calculations for hotel

1.    Lighting circuit    

        - 3nos. x  60 watt  incandescent  lamp        CD = 3 x 60 w ÷ 240 v =  0.75 A

         - 4nos. x 11 watt LED lamp                              CD = 4 x 11 w ÷ 240 v =  0.18 A

         - 2nos. x 50 watt halogen lamp                      CD = 2 x 50w ÷ 240 v =  0.41 A   


                Note:   All lamps above are non-discharge lamps, therefore x1.8 shall not applied.

            Total current demand , CD is ;  0.75A + 0.18A + 0.41A = 1.34 A 

             Diversity factor is ; DL = CD x 75%    = 1.34 A x 0.75  = 1.0 A


2.    Power circuit   (ringed circuit)

        -  2nos. x 50 watt table lamp    CD= P ÷ V     =  2 x 50 w ÷ 240v = 0.41 A   (marked  z largest current in circuit)

        - 1no x 460 watt small Fridge      CD= P ÷ V   = 460 w ÷ 240v = 1.91 A   (marked  Y largest current in circuit)

        - 1no x 520 watt TV        CD= P ÷ V     = 520w ÷ 240v = 2.16 A   (marked  X remainder current in circuit)

        - 1no. x 430 watt hair dryer    CD= P ÷ V     = 430 w ÷ 240v = 1.79 A  (marked  z remainder current in circuit)

            Total current demand , CD is ;  0.41 A + 1.91 A + 2.16 A + 1.79 A  = 6.27 A 

             Diversity factor is ;  DL = 100%X + 50%(Y+Z)   

                                                                  = 2.16 A + (1.91 A + 1.79 A + 0.41 A) x 0.5    = 4.215 A


Total diversity from all calculation (1,2)  above is ;      =  1.0 A + 4.21 A   = 5.21 A