When determining maximum continuous electrical load, what defines a load as intermittent?

When determining maximum continuous electrical load, what defines a load as intermittent?

• A. If the load lasts more than ten minutes.
• B. If the engine is not running.
• C. If the load is under 5 amps.
• D. If used for less than two minutes.

Answer: (D)

The idea is that continuous loads stay on long enough to affect the system’s heat over an extended period, while intermittent loads are only on for short durations and don’t drive sustained heating. In practice, a common rule used when determining maximum continuous electrical load is that a load is considered intermittent if it is used for less than two minutes. That means such a short-duration load isn’t treated as part of the continuous-load calculation; it can be supplied briefly, but it doesn’t count toward the continuous-rating limit. If a load runs longer than two minutes, it is treated as continuous and must be accommodated in the continuous-load assessment. The other options describe duration or conditions that aren’t the standard criterion for defining an intermittent load.

The idea is that continuous loads stay on long enough to affect the system’s heat over an extended period, while intermittent loads are only on for short durations and don’t drive sustained heating. In practice, a common rule used when determining maximum continuous electrical load is that a load is considered intermittent if it is used for less than two minutes. That means such a short-duration load isn’t treated as part of the continuous-load calculation; it can be supplied briefly, but it doesn’t count toward the continuous-rating limit. If a load runs longer than two minutes, it is treated as continuous and must be accommodated in the continuous-load assessment. The other options describe duration or conditions that aren’t the standard criterion for defining an intermittent load.