Maximum demand in Australian load planning
How maximum demand differs from connected load and why Australian switchboard demand checks need method, source and assumptions.
What maximum demand means
Maximum demand is a load-planning value for the demand a switchboard, supply or installation section may need to carry. It is related to connected load, but it is not automatically the same number. Australian maximum-demand work sits beside AS/NZS 3000 context, project requirements and DNSP conditions without this page reproducing controlled tables.
The value depends on load groups, duty, diversity, demand factor assumptions and the method chosen for the project. A calculator can organise entered values, but it does not choose the regulatory or project method for a real installation.
Connected load and demand are not the same
Connected load is the sum or list of loads attached to a board or installation section. Maximum demand is the demand value carried forward after the chosen method and assumptions are applied. Single-phase rows may use a 230 V line-to-neutral basis, while three-phase rows may use a 400 V line-to-line basis.
That distinction matters in Australian switchboard and supply discussions. A demand result without its method, load groups and exclusions can be mistaken for a universal capacity statement.
| Item | Keep visible | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Connected load | Load rows, units and source. | Shows the starting point before demand assumptions. |
| Diversity or demand factor | Entered contribution, duty or factor basis. | Separates connected load from demand value. |
| Board or supply context | MSB, DB, tenancy board or installation section. | Keeps the demand value tied to the correct location. |
| Method source | Project method, authority requirement or design basis. | Separates a worksheet estimate from a controlled design decision. |
Example worksheet reading
| Field | Example entry | Practical reading |
|---|---|---|
| Board or section | Main switchboard or DB-1. | The demand value belongs to this location. |
| Load group | Lighting, socket outlets, EV charger or equipment group. | The group must be traceable to the load schedule. |
| Connected load | 24 kVA connected kVA total with L1/L2/L3 row source. | The starting value should keep its unit source. |
| Demand assumption | 70 percent demand factor entered for the worksheet. | The result depends on the assumption selected. |
| Demand current | Demand current calculated from the voltage and phase basis. | Maximum phase current and available capacity need separate review. |
| Method source | Project requirement, authority context or design basis. | The calculator does not decide the method. |
Use the maximum-demand calculator when the load groups and assumptions are ready. Use the load schedule fields table first when the rows are still being organised.
If phase totals are part of the review, keep L1, L2 and L3 demand values visible. A balanced three-phase demand value and a highest-phase single-phase value answer different questions.
Next checks
- If the load list is incomplete, finish the load schedule before calculating demand.
- If single-phase rows are spread across a three-phase board, check phase balancing separately.
- If spare switchboard capacity is being reviewed, keep demand, existing load and future allowance in the same worksheet.
- If the result affects installation capacity, supply approval, wiring or protection work, keep licensed maximum-demand assessment and current authority requirements in control.
Boundaries
- A maximum-demand worksheet does not choose a regulatory demand method.
- It does not reproduce controlled demand tables.
- It does not approve supply capacity, switchboard capacity or connection work.
- Project documents, authority requirements, engineering review, DNSP conditions and current rules context remain controlling sources.
Maximum demand in Australian load planning in Australian work
Explain maximum demand as an Australian load-planning term before users carry load groups into demand, spare-capacity or switchboard checks. The useful record is not just the final number or definition; it is the combination of the entered value, the supply arrangement, the equipment or circuit reference and the decision that still needs project review.
Help users understand maximum demand, connected load, diversity and method source before using Australian load-planning calculators and guides. Keep the wording in Australian English, use metric units, and treat 230/400 V a.c. at 50 Hz as the ordinary low-voltage context unless the project information states a different value.
Checks that belong beside this page
- Regional scopeAustralia; load planning terminology for public calculation and reference content.
- Standards contextAustralian load planning and Wiring Rules context; current project, authority, DNSP and product requirements remain controlling sources.
- Review timingReview cadence: Annual maximum-demand wording review or sooner if load calculator, guide wording or demand table boundaries change.. Update trigger: Update when maximum-demand calculator inputs, load schedule fields, demand guides or source-boundary wording changes.
Practical use sequence
For Maximum demand in Australian load planning, begin with the circuit, board, load, cable route, equipment item or measurement record named by this topic. Record the value basis, such as current, voltage, kW, kVA, route length, test value, product rating, tariff value or worksheet field, then note the review boundary so another person can see what this page explained and what still needs a project decision.
The strongest Maximum demand in Australian load planning record is specific enough to be reviewed later. It names the Australian context, keeps the entered assumptions visible, separates calculation support from compliance decisions and shows where a calculator, table, chart or term definition should be opened next.
Record detail to capture
Keep the Maximum demand in Australian load planning note attached to Australia; load planning terminology for public calculation and reference content.. When the page is used during design, estimating, testing, review or study work, write the entered assumption, the source that supplied it, the circuit or equipment label and the person or role that must review the following action.
For Maximum demand in Australian load planning, the review cadence is Annual maximum-demand wording review or sooner if load calculator, guide wording or demand table boundaries change. and the update trigger is Update when maximum-demand calculator inputs, load schedule fields, demand guides or source-boundary wording changes.. If the topic connects to Maximum demand, open that page after the current definition, input basis or boundary has been recorded, so the next calculation inherits the right Australian context.
A complete Maximum demand in Australian load planning record leaves four facts visible: why the page was opened, which Australian supply or equipment context applies, which value remains user-entered and what later change would alter the result. That makes the page useful as a working note instead of a loose reference copied away from the project evidence.
- InputsWrite down the entered values and their units before comparing results across calculators or reference pages.
- LocationKeep the value tied to the board, circuit, cable run, equipment terminal, supply point or worksheet row it describes.
- Authority checkCompare the record with current Australian requirements, DNSP or local authority conditions and product information.
- Review trailRetain the date, edition context and reason for the calculation so later changes can be traced.
Connected AUWiring pages
Use the related pages for Maximum demand in Australian load planning when the topic needs a calculator input, lookup table, formula chart or supporting term before the project record is complete. Open Maximum demand first when that page owns the next value or definition.
- Maximum demandDemand planning term.
- Load scheduleStructured load record term.
- SwitchboardBoard context for demand review.
- Switchboard load schedule fieldsField names used in load planning.