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Continuous load
This tag page collects 2 TradesQuote articles related to Continuous load. Use it to browse contractor-focused guidance on sizing, code, cost, diagnostics, and estimating without hunting through the full blog archive.
Each post below is written for people who bid and run trade work — HVAC and electrical contractors, estimators, and technicians who need clear explanations they can apply on the next job. Skim the summaries, open the guides that match your question, then follow related calculator links when you need interactive numbers.
Featured reading in this collection includes: The 80% Rule for Circuits: Continuous Load, Explained; What Size Breaker Do I Need? Sizing OCPD by Load. Open any article for full detail, examples, and links to free tools that support faster estimating.
Looking for a broader topic? Browse all tags from the tags index, or jump to HVAC and electrical categories for curated topic hubs. TradesQuote also offers free calculators and an AI estimator when you are ready to turn a job description into a line-item quote.
Guides in this tag
- The 80% Rule for Circuits: Continuous Load, Explained
The 80% rule is just the code's 125% continuous-load factor inverted - 1 ÷ 0.8 = 1.25. It applies to continuous loads only, and it does not cap how much you may load a panel.
- What Size Breaker Do I Need? Sizing OCPD by Load
How to size a breaker: start with the load, add 25% if it's continuous, round up to a standard 240.6(A) rating, then confirm the conductor can take it. Plus the small-conductor cap, the next-size-up rule, and why motors break all of it.
Related resources
- 04 Aug, 2026
The 80% Rule for Circuits: Continuous Load, Explained
The 80% rule is just the code's 125% continuous-load factor inverted - 1 ÷ 0.8 = 1.25. It applies to continuous loads only, and it does not cap how much you may load a panel.
- 03 Aug, 2026
What Size Breaker Do I Need? Sizing OCPD by Load
How to size a breaker: start with the load, add 25% if it's continuous, round up to a standard 240.6(A) rating, then confirm the conductor can take it. Plus the small-conductor cap, the next-size-up rule, and why motors break all of it.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Continuous load guides on the TradesQuote blog.
What will I find under Continuous load?+
This tag lists 2 published guides tagged or categorized as Continuous load. Topics typically include sizing, cost estimating, diagnostics, and practical contractor workflows tied to that subject.
Are these articles a substitute for code or engineered design?+
No. TradesQuote guides explain concepts and estimating shortcuts so you can work faster and communicate clearly. Always follow applicable codes, manufacturer instructions, and professional engineering requirements for the job.
How do these pages relate to TradesQuote tools?+
Many articles link to free HVAC or electrical calculators and to TradesQuote estimating features. Use the guides to understand the topic, then use the tools to produce numbers for proposals and field checks.