---
title: "Connected load in an industry"
subject: "Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination:explain-connected-load-industry"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/explain-connected-load-industry
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Connected load in an industry

Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2070 Magh
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/explain-connected-load-industry
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/chapter-1

## Question

Explain connected load in an industry.

## Short answer

Connected load is the sum of rated (nameplate) powers of all electrical equipment connected to the supply in an industry, expressed in kW or kVA. It includes motors, heating, lighting, sockets and building services. The actual maximum demand is lower because not all loads run at full capacity simultaneously.

## Answer

**Connected load** is the sum of the rated (nameplate) powers of all electrical equipment connected to the supply system of an industry, expressed in kW or kVA.

In an industry it includes:
- **Motors** of machines, pumps, fans, compressors, cranes and conveyors
- **Heating loads** such as furnaces, ovens, boilers and welding sets
- **Lighting** (lamps with ballast/driver losses) and fans
- **Socket outlets** and office equipment
- **Air conditioning** and other building services

**Points to note:**
- Connected load is not the load the plant actually draws. Machines run below full rating and not all at once, so the actual maximum demand is less (demand factor = MD / connected load, typically 0.5–0.8 in industry).
- It is the starting point for load estimation: maximum demand is found from it using demand and diversity factors (or ku and ks).
- The utility uses it to classify the consumer and to approve the connection.

**Example:** a small factory has 10 motors of 7.5 kW, 2 furnaces of 20 kW, 60 lamps of 40 W and 4 kW of office load.

```text
Connected load = 10×7.5 + 2×20 + 60×0.04 + 4
               = 75 + 40 + 2.4 + 4
               = 121.4 kW
```

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is connected load in an industry?
   A. The load actually drawn at peak
   B. The sum of rated (nameplate) powers of all connected equipment
   C. The average daily load
   D. The largest motor rating
   Answer: B. Connected load is based on ratings, not actual use. (Key point: Definition)

2. Why is actual maximum demand less than connected load?
   A. Machines run below full rating and not all at once
   B. Because nameplates are wrong
   C. Because the utility limits it
   D. Because lighting is excluded
   Answer: A. Demand factor = MD / connected load is typically 0.5-0.8 in industry. (Key point: Relation to demand)

3. A factory has 10 motors of 7.5 kW, 2 furnaces of 20 kW, 60 lamps of 40 W and 4 kW office load. What is the connected load?
   A. 117 kW
   B. 75 kW
   C. 145.4 kW
   D. 121.4 kW
   Answer: D. 75 + 40 + 2.4 + 4 = 121.4 kW. (Key point: Example)

## Related in Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination

- [Load centre, connected load, maximum demand](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Findustrial_power_distribution_and_illumination%3Aload-centre-connected-load-md) — Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination, chapter 1
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