In Australian electrical contracting, few calculations are as routinely performed—or as routinely misunderstood—as . Under Clause C5 of AS/NZS 3000 (the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules), calculating maximum demand is not just a technical exercise; it is a legal and safety requirement. Under-sizing leads to nuisance tripping, voltage drop, and fire risk. Over-sizing leads to wasted copper, oversized switchboards, and unnecessary costs.
To minimize maximum demand charges, consider the following strategies:
Estimating demand based on known operating profiles of similar installations.
