When calculating branch-circuit, feeder or service loads, you should round the calculation to which value?

• A. Nearest whole ampere.
• B. Nearest tenth of an ampere.
• C. Nearest ten amperes.
• D. Nearest hundred amperes.

Answer: (A)

When you work out branch-circuit, feeder, or service loads, you end up converting all the loads to an amperage and then sizing conductors and overcurrent devices based on those ampere values. The final step is to round the result to the nearest whole ampere because the code and most equipment ratings are in whole amperes. Decimal values don’t have corresponding standard breaker or conductor sizes, so rounding keeps the calculation practical and aligned with the way protection and conductors are rated. If your raw result is 13.7 A, you’d round to 14 A; if it’s 13.2 A, you’d round to 13 A. (If a continuous load is involved, apply the 125% factor first, then round to the nearest ampere.)