WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
Load Type Definitions On Panel Schedule
Load type definitions on panel schedule are clear with WireGaugeCalc, since you label each circuit by load type and the tool applies the matching NEC demand factor.
It separates continuous, noncontinuous, and motor loads, so each one counts toward the total the correct way.
That gives you a panel schedule total that lines up with a code calculation.
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.
Continuous, Noncontinuous, And Motor Loads
A continuous load runs three hours or more, so the NEC counts it at 125% on the panel schedule.
Motor loads carry their own multiplier, so labeling them correctly keeps the calculated demand accurate.
How Each Load Type Counts
Each load type maps to a calculation rule, since the NEC treats them differently on the schedule:
- Continuous loads are counted at 125% of the connected value.
- Noncontinuous loads are counted at 100%.
- The largest motor is added at 125% on top of the other loads.
- General lighting follows the demand factors in the NEC tables.
- Receptacle loads use the NEC volt-ampere allowance per outlet.
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 on a panel schedule?
A continuous load is one expected to run at its maximum current for three hours or more, such as lighting or HVAC. These get the 125% factor on the schedule.
Why is the largest motor counted at 125%?
The NEC adds 125% of the largest motor to cover its starting and running demand on the feeder. Confirm the load types and factors against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
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.