Code Change Summary: New section on calculating branch circuit loads for dwellings.

SME commentary: PI 3406 (from NEMA) suggested a new Section after 210.11(C)(4) to require at least one branch circuit per bedroom in a dwelling to address increasing load demand on bedroom receptacles. This was rejected by the code panel at the first draft meetings but became the basis of new Section 120.13 in Part I of Article 120 to require a minimum unit load of 3 volt-amperes/ft² for calculating the minimum number of branch circuits required for a dwelling.

NEMA substantiated PI 3406 with data from a 2022 survey conducted by ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) which showed that 38% of dwelling related electrical service calls in the study were from overloaded electrical circuits.

At the 2^nd draft meetings, the new language was increased to 4 volt-amperes/ft² but final results from a Certified Amending Motion returned the 2026 NEC^® language on branch circuit unit load for dwellings to 3 volt-amperes/ft² as follows:

N 120.13 Dwelling Units – Branch-Circuit Loads. In dwelling units, the minimum unit load shall be not less than 33 volt-amperes/m² (3 volt-amperes/ft²) for calculating minimum branch circuits required.

Example:

• 1000 ft² dwelling X 3VA = 3000VA
• 3000VA ÷ 120V = 25 amps
• 25 amps (2-15A or 2-20A Branch Circuits required)

This new language is especially important since the overall 3 volt-amperes/ft² unit load (required for years in Section 220.41 for calculating the minimum overall load on a dwelling unit service or feeder) was reduced in the 2026 NEC^® to 2 volt-amperes/ft² due to less demand resulting from the increased use of high-efficacy light sources (e.g., LED, CFL) required in modern construction.

Taken together, between the new requirements in 120.13 for branch circuit loads, and the reduced minimum unit load calculated for the service/feeder in Part III of Article 120, one would use 3 volt-amperes/ft² to determine the minimum number of branch circuits required for the dwelling, while using 2 volt-amperes/ft² when calculating the overall load to determine the minimum feeder or service size for the dwelling.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2026 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

2023 Code Language:

This code section did not exist.

2026 Code Language:

N 120.13 Dwelling Units – Branch-Circuit Loads. In dwelling units, the minimum unit load shall be not less than 33 volt-amperes/m² (3 volt-amperes/ft²) for calculating minimum branch circuits required.