WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
Calculate Va Of Continuous And Noncontinuous Loads
Calculate va of continuous and noncontinuous loads is simple with WireGaugeCalc, since you enter each load in volt-amps and mark whether it runs three hours or more.
The tool adds the continuous loads at 125 percent and the noncontinuous loads at 100 percent, so your total matches the way the NEC sizes conductors and overcurrent devices.
You get one combined VA figure you can carry straight into wire and breaker sizing.
Open the calculatorEnter any two values and read the rest.
Ohm’s law: V = I × R and P = V × I. Field aid only, verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Why The 125 Percent Factor Matters For Continuous Loads
A continuous load runs for three hours or more, so the NEC requires you to size the circuit at 125 percent of that load to limit heat buildup.
Noncontinuous loads use a straight 100 percent value, so mixing the two by hand often leads to undersized feeders.
WireGaugeCalc keeps the two categories separate and applies the right multiplier to each.
Turning VA Totals Into A Circuit Size
The calculator walks the load math the same way an inspector would check it:
- Enter each load in VA, or in amps times volts.
- Flag continuous loads so they get the 1.25 factor.
- Noncontinuous loads stay at 100 percent.
- See the adjusted total VA and total amps.
- Use that amperage to pick conductor size and breaker.
One app for every NEC calculation
WireGaugeCalc keeps the calculations you reach for most in one place:
- Voltage drop and wire sizing for any run
- Conduit fill for EMT, PVC, and RMC
- Box fill and junction box sizing
- Ampacity and temperature derating
- Motor circuit and load calculations
- Conduit bend offsets and saddles
Built for the field, works offline
The whole app runs on your phone, so it keeps working in a basement, an attic, or a job site with no signal.
There is no account to create and nothing to load. Open it, run the number, and get back to work.
- No signup and no signal needed
- Answers in a tap, not a spreadsheet
- Same tool on phone, tablet, and desktop
Every result cites the NEC article
Each answer shows the table or formula it came from, so you can check the method and learn the code as you go.
That makes the app useful on the job and during exam prep, since the reasoning is right next to the number.
Switch the code year your job runs on
Jurisdictions adopt the NEC at different times, so you can match the calculation to the code in force:
- NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023 tables
- Copper and aluminum conductors
- 60, 75, and 90 degree C terminations
- Single-phase and three-phase systems
Run the number, then get back to work
Stop flipping through a paper book or hopping between calculator sites. Enter your values, read the code-cited answer, and move on. Free to use, no signup.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
What counts as a continuous load?
A load expected to be on for three hours or more, such as store lighting or HVAC. Confirm the duration against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction, since classifications can vary by occupancy.
Do I apply 125 percent to the conductor, the breaker, or both?
Both the overcurrent device and the conductor are sized at not less than 125 percent of the continuous load plus 100 percent of the noncontinuous load. The tool gives you the combined amperage so you can size each part.
Is WireGaugeCalc free to use?
Yes. Every calculator is free to run with no signup. A paid tier adds saved projects, PDF reports, and extra code years, but the core math stays free.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your device, so it keeps working with no signal on a job site, in a basement, or in an attic.
Are the results code accurate?
Results follow published NEC tables and standard formulas, and each answer shows the article it came from. It is a field aid, not a stamp of approval, so verify against the current code and your local authority before you wire anything.
Which NEC code year does it use?
You can switch between NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023, since jurisdictions adopt the code at different times. Pick the year your job runs on.