---
title: "What Is Demand load? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "Demand load is the expected peak power use of a building. It is lower than the sum of everything that could be plugged in."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/demand-load
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Power and utility

# Demand load

Demand load is the expected peak power use of a building. It is lower than the sum of everything that could be plugged in.

Oncor defines demand as the rate at which electric energy is used at any instant, or averaged over a set period, and measured in kW or kVA. It says the utility's demand interval is normally 15 minutes. Few devices run at full power at once, so demand is lower than the total connected load.

Sizing in a [load calculation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/load-calculation) uses demand, which keeps a [service upgrade](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/service-upgrade) from being too small or too large. Demand is measured in kW, while the bill counts [kilowatt-hours](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/kilowatt-hour). A licensed electrician can run the numbers. See [commercial electrician services](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician).

[Daniel Electric can helpCommercial electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician)

## Related terms

-   [Load calculation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/load-calculation)
-   [Service upgrade](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/service-upgrade)
-   [Kilowatt-hour](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/kilowatt-hour)
-   [Wattage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/wattage)

## Sources

1.  [Oncor: Electric Service Guidelines](https://www.oncor.com/content/dam/oncorwww/documents/electric-service-guidelines/Electric%20Service%20Guidelines%202021.pdf)
2.  [Oncor: Electric Service Guidelines](https://www.oncor.com/content/dam/oncorwww/documents/electric-service-guidelines/Electric%20Service%20Guidelines%202021.pdf)

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## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

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