For noncoincident loads, which method is used?

For noncoincident loads, which method is used?

• A. The largest load
• B. The sum of the loads
• C. The average of the loads
• D. The smallest load

Answer: (A)

Noncoincident loads aren’t expected to be on at the same time, so you size the system for the biggest single demand rather than adding every load together. This prevents overdesigning when peaks don’t coincide and reflects the actual peak demand you must support. Adding all loads would assume simultaneous operation, which isn’t how noncoincident loads behave. Averaging or choosing the smallest load would either understate or miss the real peak. So the appropriate approach is to use the largest individual load as the basis for sizing.

Noncoincident loads aren’t expected to be on at the same time, so you size the system for the biggest single demand rather than adding every load together. This prevents overdesigning when peaks don’t coincide and reflects the actual peak demand you must support. Adding all loads would assume simultaneous operation, which isn’t how noncoincident loads behave. Averaging or choosing the smallest load would either understate or miss the real peak. So the appropriate approach is to use the largest individual load as the basis for sizing.