Household Clothes Dryer Demand Load (NEC 220.54)
The clothes-dryer feeder/service demand under NEC 220.54.
Example
You enter
- Number of dryers 4
- Each dryer nameplate (W) 4500
- Service voltage (V) 240
You get
- Per-dryer load (5000 W floor) 5000
- Demand load 20000
- Demand a 83.333
Checked against published worked examples from: NEC 2023 (NFPA 70).
Details, formula, and sources
ScopeEach dryer counts at the larger of 5,000 W or its nameplate, then a Table 220.54 demand factor applies at five or more (four 4.5 kW dryers -> 20 kW / 83.3 A; five 5 kW dryers -> 85% -> 21.25 kW / 88.5 A). Five dryers demand only slightly more than four once the factor kicks in. The AHJ governs counts beyond the table.
Formula or tableper_dryer = max(nameplate, 5000 W); connected = per_dryer x count; demand = connected x factor; demand_a = demand / supply_v. Table 220.54 factor: 1-4 -> 100%, 5 -> 85%, 6 -> 75%, declining.
Source and editionElectric clothes dryers, dwelling unit(s), NEC 2023 220.54 and Table 220.54, by name.
Free accessNEC is free to read at nfpa.org/freeaccess. The per-dryer load is the larger of 5,000 W or the nameplate; the demand factor for counts past the table is the published continuation.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed electrician govern. Verify against the NEC edition adopted in your jurisdiction.
API field namesnum_dryers, nameplate_w, supply_v, per_dryer_w, demand_w, demand_a
- Per-dryer floor each dryer counts at the larger of 5,000 W or its nameplate ratingNEC 220.54
- Demand factors 100% for 1-4 dryers, 85% at 5, then declining per the bundled Table 220.54 seriesNEC Table 220.54