Demand factors for general lighting are which of the following?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Maybe
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Demand factors are used to estimate the actual maximum load for general lighting by accounting for non-simultaneous use. You don’t size feeders or services based on every luminaire running at full rating; in real life, not all lights are on at once or at full brightness. By applying a demand factor (a value less than 1) to the total connected lighting load, you arrive at a realistic probable maximum demand. This is why demand factors apply to general lighting calculations—they help prevent oversizing and save cost while still meeting safety and performance needs. The idea that you would not use a demand factor here isn’t correct, and neither uncertainty nor a definite “no” fits the practical approach used in electrical design.