NEC Article 220 · 2026 NEC
NEC Article 220 is now Article 120
In the 2026 NEC, the branch circuit, feeder and service load calculation rules moved from Article 220 to new Article 120. Most sections keep their number after the article, so 220.82 is now 120.82, but a few moved and some figures changed: the minimum unit load for feeders and services is now 2 VA per square foot, and 120.82 takes the first 8 kVA at 100 percent instead of 10 kVA.
What changed, not just the number
2023: 220.5 · 2026: 120.5
The 2026 nominal voltage list adds 416Y/240 V, a rule that for dc circuits VA equals W, and new 120.5(E), which says the load calculation does not add 125 percent for continuous loads.
On the exam: Under 2026, the calculated load itself does not include a 125 percent increase for continuous loads.
2023: 220.5 · 2026: 120.5(C)
2026 also leaves detached garages out of the dwelling floor area. 2023 left out only open porches and unfinished areas not adaptable for future use.
On the exam: A detached garage is not counted in the dwelling floor area under 2026.
2023: 220.10 · 2026: 120.10
2026 sends dwelling branch circuit loads to new 120.13, at 3 VA per square foot, instead of to the feeder unit load section.
On the exam: In 2026, the 3 VA per square foot figure is for counting branch circuits under 120.13; feeders and services use 2 VA per square foot under 120.41.
2023: 220.41 · 2026: 120.41
The 2026 minimum unit load for feeders and services is 2 VA per square foot (22 VA per square meter). The 3 VA per square foot figure remains only for counting branch circuits under new 120.13.
On the exam: A 2026 feeder or service calculation uses a minimum unit load of 2 VA per square foot; 3 VA per square foot is used only for counting branch circuits.
2023: 220.57 · 2026: 120.57
2026 counts EVSE at its nameplate rating and uses 7200 W only when no nameplate rating is available. 2023 took the larger of 7200 W or the nameplate rating.
On the exam: Under 2026, use the EVSE nameplate rating even when it is below 7200 W; under 2023 the load was never taken below 7200 W.
2023: 220.60 · 2026: 120.6
Noncoincident loads move to Part I as 120.6. 2026 also lets loads that listed equipment prevents from running together be treated as noncoincident for branch circuits, and refers to the 120.11(A) motor treatment instead of the 125 percent clause.
On the exam: Look for noncoincident loads at 120.6 in 2026, and they can now apply to branch circuits where listed equipment keeps the loads from running together.
2023: 220.70 · 2026: 120.7
2026 replaces this section with 120.7, a power control system (Article 130 Part II) set at no more than 80 percent of the rating of the overcurrent device it monitors.
2023: 220.82 · 2026: 120.82
2026 120.82 takes 100 percent of the first 8 kVA of general load (2023: the first 10 kVA), adds EVSE at 100 percent, and uses the unit loads of the 2026 edition.
On the exam: Under 2026 120.82, only the first 8 kVA of general load is taken at 100 percent; 2023 used the first 10 kVA.
2023: 220.83, Table 220.83(A), Table 220.83(B) · 2026: 120.83, Table 120.83
The two 2023 tables for existing dwellings become one Table 120.83, Existing Dwelling Unit Load Percentages: the first 8 kVA at 100 percent, the remaining existing load at 40 percent, new EVSE and new central electric resistance heat at 80 percent, and other new loads at 50 percent. This replaces the 2023 layout that took air conditioning or heat at 100 percent.
On the exam: Under 2026 Table 120.83, new EVSE and new central resistance heat count at 80 percent and other new loads at 50 percent.
2023: 220.84 · 2026: 120.84
2026 120.84 counts 2 VA per square foot (not 3 VA) in the connected load, renumbers the demand factor table to Table 120.84(C), and adds a rule for single-phase units on a 3-phase, 4-wire supply.
On the exam: The 120.84 demand factors are in Table 120.84(C) in 2026 (Table 220.84(B) in 2023), and the connected load uses 2 VA per square foot.
2023: 220.87 · 2026: 120.87
The 2026 test is 125 percent of the maximum demand plus the new load, minus any removed load. The 1-year, 30-day and 15-minute figures match.
How the Annex D examples changed
The worked examples in Informative Annex D use the new figures, so their answers changed.
| Example | 2023 NEC | 2026 NEC |
|---|---|---|
| D1(a) | 78 A, 61 A neutral (3 VA per square foot); 100 A service | 75 A, 58 A neutral (2 VA per square foot for the feeder); 100 A service |
| D1(b) | 99, 84 and 104 A; 110 A service | 96, 81 and 101 A; 110 A service |
| D2(a) | 90 A (first 10 kVA at 100 percent, 3 VA per square foot); 100 A service | 82 A (first 8 kVA at 100 percent, 2 VA per square foot); 100 A service |
| D2(b) | 122 A | 114 A |
| D2(c) | 34,790 VA = 145 A; 150 A service permitted | 32,790 VA = 137 A; 150 A service permitted |
| D3 | 30,320 VA = 126 A; 1 AWG copper; 150 A OCPD | 32,600 VA = 136 A; 1/0 AWG copper; 150 A OCPD |
| D4(a) | 273 A and 434 A | 249 A and 399 A |
| D4(b) | 697 A and 1028 A (factors 0.38 and 0.28, Table 220.84(B)) | 671 A and 988 A (factors 0.38 and 0.28, Table 120.84(C)) |
| D5(a) | 208 A and 313 A | 192 A and 289 A |
| D5(b) | 685 A (reuses the single-phase 40-unit factor of 0.28) | 711 A (equivalent count of 28 dwelling units under 120.84(A)(2), factor 0.33) |
Worked example: the 2 VA per square foot load
The general lighting load covers all general lighting and the general-use receptacles in a dwelling. You do not count outlets; you multiply floor area by a unit load.
Where to look
Article 120 Part III, 120.41: 2 VA per ft² (22 VA/m²) for one-family, two-family and multifamily dwellings. It already includes the general-use receptacles (including bathroom and garage circuits), the outdoor and basement receptacles, and the required lighting outlets.
2026 trap
New 120.13 uses 3 VA/ft², but only to count how many lighting branch circuits are needed. The feeder and service figure in 120.41 is 2 VA/ft². Some 2023-edition material uses 3 VA/ft² for the service; for the 2026 exam, use 2.
Procedure
- Find the floor area by 120.5(C).
- Multiply by 2 VA/ft² (or 22 VA/m² for metric areas).
Worked example
A 1,650 ft² ranch home.
- 1,650 × 2 = 3,300 VA.
Most common mistake
Using 3 VA/ft² for a service calculation, or using the ft² value on an area given in m². Also do not add separate loads for ordinary receptacles; 120.41 already includes them.
The full residential load calculation, with practice questions
Article 220 to Article 120, section by section
| 2023 NEC | 2026 NEC |
|---|---|
| 220.1 | 120.1 |
| 220.3 | 120.4 |
| 220.5 | 120.5 |
| 220.10 | 120.10 |
| 220.11 | 120.11 |
| 220.14 | 120.14 |
| 220.16 | 120.16 |
| 220.40 | 120.40 |
| 220.41 | 120.41 |
| 220.42 | 120.42 |
| 220.43 | 120.43 |
| 220.44 | 120.44 |
| 220.45 | 120.45 |
| 220.46 | 120.46 |
| 220.47 | 120.47 |
| 220.50 | 120.50 |
| 220.51 | 120.51 |
| 220.52 | 120.52 |
| 220.53 | 120.53 |
| 220.54 | 120.54 |
| 220.55 | 120.55 |
| 220.57 | 120.57 |
| 220.60 | 120.6 |
| 220.61 | 120.61(A) |
| 220.70 | 120.7 |
| 220.80 | 120.80 |
| 220.82 | 120.82 |
| 220.83 | 120.83 |
| 220.84 | 120.84 |
| 220.85 | 120.85 |
| 220.86 | 120.86 |
| 220.87 | 120.87 |
| 220.88 | 120.88 |
| 220.100 | 120.100 |
| 220.102 | 120.102 |
| 220.103 | 120.103 |
| 220.120 | 120.120 |
| Table 220.42(A) | Table 120.42(A) |
| Table 220.45 | Table 120.45 |
| Table 220.47 | Table 120.47 |
| Table 220.54 | Table 120.54 |
| Table 220.55 | Table 120.55 |
| Table 220.56 | Table 120.56 |
| Table 220.83(A) | Table 120.83 |
| Table 220.83(B) | Table 120.83 |
| Table 220.84(B) | Table 120.84(C) |
| Table 220.86 | Table 120.86 |
| Table 220.88 | Table 120.88 |
| Table 220.102(B) | Table 120.102(B) |
| Table 220.103 | Table 120.103 |
| Table 220.120 | Table 120.120 |
Common questions
Is Article 220 still in the 2026 NEC?
No. The load calculation rules that were Article 220 in the 2023 NEC are Article 120 in the 2026 NEC. Most sections keep their number after the article, so 220.82 is 120.82.
Which Article 220 should I study?
The one your exam tests. A 2023 NEC exam (Oklahoma and many other states) still uses Article 220; a 2026 NEC exam (Texas since September 1, 2026) uses Article 120.
Next step
Last verified November 11, 2026.