For an 11,000 sq-ft courthouse, the minimum general lighting load is which value?

For an 11,000 sq-ft courthouse, the minimum general lighting load is which value?

• A. 18,700 VA
• B. 15,400 VA
• C. 13,200 VA
• D. 33,000 VA

Answer: (B)

Understanding how the NEC determines the minimum general lighting load: you multiply the floor area by the unit load (in VA per square foot) specified for that occupancy. For a courthouse, the applicable unit load is 1.4 VA per square foot. So for 11,000 ft², the calculation is 11,000 × 1.4 = 15,400 VA. This is the baseline lighting load used before applying any demand factors. The other numbers correspond to different unit loads (e.g., 1.2 VA/ft² would yield 13,200 VA; 1.7 VA/ft² would yield 18,700 VA; 3 VA/ft² would yield 33,000 VA), which is why 15,400 VA is the correct result for this occupancy and size.

Understanding how the NEC determines the minimum general lighting load: you multiply the floor area by the unit load (in VA per square foot) specified for that occupancy. For a courthouse, the applicable unit load is 1.4 VA per square foot. So for 11,000 ft², the calculation is 11,000 × 1.4 = 15,400 VA. This is the baseline lighting load used before applying any demand factors. The other numbers correspond to different unit loads (e.g., 1.2 VA/ft² would yield 13,200 VA; 1.7 VA/ft² would yield 18,700 VA; 3 VA/ft² would yield 33,000 VA), which is why 15,400 VA is the correct result for this occupancy and size.