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The Load Calculation Documentation Template

Free to use, and yours to change. This is a fully synthetic working template — not a customer document, not legal advice, and not a governing code reference. Replace every bracket, delete every instruction, and make the finished document match the actual job. Nothing here certifies compliance; your jurisdiction and its adopted code decide that.

How to use this

A final number by itself is not a calculation package. Name the method, show the inputs, identify where every input came from, show the intermediate work, and keep the supporting documents with the calculation.

Use measured, specified, or assumed for every input:

Measured: read from a nameplate, drawing, or field measurement. Identify the source.
Specified: fixed by the plans, customer, engineer, or equipment schedule. Cite it.
Assumed: selected by the preparer. State the reason and confirm it before construction.

Delete the instructions before submitting the finished package.

LOAD CALCULATION — [PROJECT]

Project information	Detail
Project address	[address]
Owner / customer	[name]
AHJ	[authority having jurisdiction]
NEC edition enforced	[edition]
Local amendments checked	[yes / no / reference]
Calculation method	[complete method name]
Prepared by	[name / company / license / contact]
Date / revision	[date / revision number]

1 · Summary

Keep this section to one page.

Result	Value
Total computed load	[____]
Calculated current, when applicable	[____]
Service / feeder rating selected	[____]
Margin between computed and selected rating	[____]
Existing service / feeder rating, when applicable	[____]

Conclusion: [State what the calculation supports. Do not state more than the calculation actually proves.]

2 · Scope and method

Calculation purpose: [new service / feeder / addition / alteration / existing-load review]
Areas or equipment included: [list]
Areas or equipment excluded: [list and reason]
Method selected: [name]
Method source: [NEC edition and section pointers used, without reproducing protected text]
Local amendment or AHJ direction applied: [reference / none identified]

If more than one method could apply, record why this method was selected.

3 · Input inventory

An input without a source is an assumption. Label it honestly.

Input	Value	Status	Source / location	Verified by / date
Floor area	[____]	measured / specified / assumed	[drawing sheet / field measurement]	[____]
General-use load input	[____]	[status]	[source]	[____]
Fixed appliances	[____]	[status]	[schedule / nameplate / site inventory]	[____]
Heating equipment	[____]	[status]	[nameplate / schedule]	[____]
Cooling equipment	[____]	[status]	[nameplate / schedule]	[____]
Largest motor	[____]	[status]	[nameplate / schedule]	[____]
EV charging / other continuous load	[____]	[status]	[nameplate / design]	[____]
Other: [name]	[____]	[status]	[source]	[____]

4 · Calculation detail

Show the arithmetic in the order the selected method requires. Add rows as needed.

Step	Input or load group	Raw value	Factor / treatment	Source pointer	Adjusted value
1	[____]	[____]	[____]	[edition / section]	[____]
2	[____]	[____]	[____]	[edition / section]	[____]
3	[____]	[____]	[____]	[edition / section]	[____]
4	[____]	[____]	[____]	[edition / section]	[____]
5	[____]	[____]	[____]	[edition / section]	[____]

Total before final conversion: [____]
Final conversion or current calculation: [show formula and result]
Final computed load: [____]

Do not hide demand factors, diversity treatment, unit conversions, or intermediate values inside an unexplained spreadsheet cell.

5 · Service or feeder selection

Computed requirement: [____]
Selected rating: [____]
Selection basis: [code pointer / equipment constraint / design requirement]
Conductor or equipment assumptions carried into another calculation: [list]
Separate calculations attached: [conductor / voltage drop / fault current / other]

This section records the selection. It does not replace any separate sizing or coordination work required by the enforced code, design documents, utility, or AHJ.

6 · Supporting documents

☐ Plan sheets cited in the input inventory
☐ Equipment schedules
☐ Nameplate photographs
☐ Existing-service documentation
☐ Utility information, when applicable
☐ Assumption approvals or customer direction
☐ Separate calculation sheets
☐ Local amendment or AHJ correspondence

List attachments by filename or sheet number:

[____]
[____]
[____]

7 · Assumptions and open items

Assumption / open item	Why it was necessary	Who must confirm	Due date	Resolution
[____]	[____]	[____]	[____]	[____]

An unresolved assumption should stay visible. Do not quietly convert it into a fact.

8 · Revision record

Revision	Date	Change	Prepared by
0	[____]	Initial calculation	[____]
1	[____]	[____]	[____]

Final check before submitting

☐ AHJ and enforced edition are stated
☐ Calculation method is named
☐ Every input has a value, status, and source
☐ Demand factors and intermediate values are visible
☐ Final result agrees with the summary
☐ Equipment or feeder selection is separated from unsupported assumptions
☐ Supporting documents are attached and named
☐ Open assumptions remain visible
☐ Revision number and preparer information are complete
☐ The finished package contains no template instructions or blank brackets