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Electrical work contracted under C K ELECTRIC · CSLB Lic. #354550 (C-10) · Farmer Works Electric license in process

NEC 220.54 · Homes

Electric clothes dryer load (5,000 VA minimum)

In a standard-method dwelling load calculation, each household electric clothes dryer counts as 5,000 W (VA) or its nameplate rating, whichever is larger. Table 220.54 demand factors may reduce the total where several dryers are served.

Diagram of dryer load: each dryer counts 5,000 VA or its nameplate, whichever is larger; demand factors fall from 100% for 1–4 dryers to 47% for 11.
Standard-method dwelling calculations. A calculation done before the dryer is chosen still carries at least 5,000 VA for it; the optional method in 220.82 uses the nameplate instead. Diagram: Farmer Works Electric, free to share under CC BY 4.0 · Download PNG · How to credit

What the code requires

In a standard-method dwelling load calculation, each household electric clothes dryer is counted at 5,000 W (VA) or its nameplate rating, whichever is larger. For this calculation, kVA is treated as equal to kW. The optional calculation in 220.82 instead counts a dryer at its nameplate rating within the general loads.

Where a feeder or service supplies several dryers, as in a multifamily building, the Table 220.54 demand factors may be used: 1 to 4 dryers at 100%, 5 at 85%, 6 at 75%, 7 at 65%, 8 at 60%, 9 at 55%, 10 at 50% and 11 at 47%.

For larger groups, 12 to 23 dryers start at 47% and drop 1% for each dryer over 11; 24 to 42 dryers start at 35% and drop 0.5% for each dryer over 23; 43 or more use 25%.

When two or more single-phase dryers are supplied by a 3-phase, 4-wire feeder or service, the total load is based on twice the largest number of dryers connected between any two phases.

On the job

  • Because 5,000 VA is the minimum, a calculation done before a dryer is chosen still carries at least 5,000 VA for it.
  • The neutral (unbalanced) load for dryers is figured separately under 220.61(B)(1), which allows a reduction from the full dryer demand.
  • The 2026 NEC changes this table, but California's 2025 code is based on the 2023 NEC, so the values above are the ones that apply in California.
Laundry room with a front-load washer and dryer beside a utility sink
Laundry room washer and dryer (representative stock photo).

In California

In new one- and two-family homes, the 2025 CEC requires a dedicated electric-dryer circuit (422.3, per Energy Code 150.0(v)) and a panel breaker space for it (408.2(B)). In new multifamily units, 422.3 requires the dedicated circuit per Energy Code 160.9(c).

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Electrical work contracted under C K ELECTRIC · CSLB Lic. #354550 (C-10) · Farmer Works Electric license in process