General lighting load for non-dwelling buildings

What the code requires

For non-dwelling occupancies, the minimum general lighting load equals the unit load in Table 220.42(A), in volt-amperes per square foot, multiplied by the floor area figured under 220.5(C).

This is a renumbering trap. In the 2020 NEC this rule was 220.12, with Table 220.12. The general lighting demand factors that were in 220.42 are now in 220.45 and Table 220.45. The rule also moved from Part II of Article 220, branch-circuit calculations, to Part III, feeder and service calculations.

The Table 220.42(A) values already include the 125% continuous-load factor, so it is not applied again. In 2023, the unit load for schools and universities and for sports arenas dropped from 3 to 1.5 VA/ft² (33 to 16 VA/m²). This page does not list the other occupancy values; check the current table.

Under 220.42(B), where a building is designed and built to an energy code adopted by the local authority, the lighting load may instead use the energy code's unit values. That requires a power monitoring system that tracks the general lighting load and alarms when it exceeds the energy-code values; the 220.45 demand factors are then not used, and the 125% continuous-load factor is applied.

The informational note now says these minimum values assume an 80% power factor (it said 100% in 2020) and may not provide enough capacity for every installation.

On the job

• Old references to 220.12 now mean 220.42(A), and old references to Table 220.42 now mean Table 220.45. Check which edition a plan review comment or an older worksheet is using.
• Because the school and arena values were cut in half, older calculations for those buildings may show more lighting load than the 2023 table requires.

What changed in 2023

The 2023 NEC moved the old 220.12 here, renumbered the old 220.42 demand factors as 220.45, cut the school and sports-arena unit loads from 3 to 1.5 VA/ft², and changed the informational note's power-factor basis from 100% to 80%.

Related sections

• NEC 220.5(C)
• NEC 220.41
• NEC 220.45
• NEC 220.47
• NEC 210.20(A)

Where this comes from

• Mark Earley, Electrical Contractor: More on 2023's Chapter 2 updates (Aug 15, 2022)
• Electrical License Renewal: 220.1, 2023 changes
• NFPA: Changes to the NEC 2023 edition (slides hosted by Georgia DCA, Mar 29, 2023)
• ExpertCE: Office building load calculation worksheet (Nov 2025)
• Read the official NEC free at NFPA