Answer Solutions Specification Guide - OEC Business Interiors

How to Calculate Power NeedsUse This to Determine How Many Power-Ins You’ll Need.When planning a powernetwork, you must calculatethe amperage requirementsof all your electrical componentsso you can providesufficient electricity to powerthem..If your usage is notknown in advance:The National ElectricalCode (NEC) allows a maximumof 13 receptacles oneach 20-amp circuit. Thisprovides up to 30 receptaclesfor each 3-circuit power-inand 40 receptacles for each4-circuit power-in.These numbers refer toreceptacles, not outlets.All Answer receptacles areduplex and include twooutlets..If your usage is knownin advance:Add up the amperage usedby each piece of equipmentin the workstation. Wheneveryou reach 60 amps(20 amps times 3 circuits) or80 amps (20 amps times 4circuits) from items that arelikely to be used at the sametime, you have reached thelimit for a single power-in.Specify another power-inand continue until all equipmentis powered.If the circuits will normallybe subject to a continuousload (three or more hours ofcontinuous use, such aslights or computers), theNEC requires that circuitcapacity be “de-rated” by20 percent. Therefore, treatcircuits used for continuousloads as if they were ratedat 16 amps instead of theregular 20 amps.Try to anticipate futureincreases in power requirementsand build someexcess capacity into yourplan.cSee table at right fortypical and actual amperageusages for components.To calculate amperage whenthe wattage of a device isknown, divide watts by 120.Some appliances, such aslarge copiers, coffee makers,or space heaters requiremost of the current availableon a 20-amp circuit. Itis recommended that suchdevices be supplied withtheir own receptacle/circuit,directly from the building.This leaves the capacity ofthe furniture circuits availablefor the more dynamicrequirements of the officeequipment.Local electrical codes vary.Consult a qualified electricalcontractor or engineer forthe proper planning of electricalcircuits in your locale.Requirements of Office Equipmentin AmpsGeneral Equipment(Typical Amperage)A.C. adapter 0.05Adding machine 0.05Answering machine 0.08Calculator 0.025Clock 0.03Coffee pot 10.00Copy machine 15.00Desk-top copiers 7.00 to 10.00Electric eraser 0.25Fan 0.50Manuscript holder 0.75Microfiche 0.85Microwave 8.00 to 12.00Pencil sharpener 0.25Radio 0.05Slide projector 2.00 to 6.00Space heater, 1000 watts 8.50Space heater, 1500 watts 12.50Stand-alone copiers 15.00Transcriber 0.15Typewriter 0.15Electronic Equipment(Typical Amperage)Desk-top memorystorage devices 0.08 to 0.15Desk-top printers 1.20 to 2.00DVD players 0.13 to 0.20Flat-panel screens 3.50Laptops 3.50 to 5.00Modems 0.15Stand-alone printers 1.50 to 2.50VDTs and PCs 0.08 to 4.80Steelcase Lighting(Actual Amperage)Canopy lights24 1 ⁄4" wide, 14 watts 0.1436 1 ⁄16" wide, 21 watts 0.2047 7 ⁄8" wide, 28 watts 0.26Shelf lights19" wide, 15 watts 0.2024" wide, 17 watts 0.2036" wide, 25 watts 0.3048" wide, 32 watts 0.30.70 Answer Solutions Specification Guide