Connected load is the input power for a lighting group.
Connected load is the total input power of a lighting group. It supports energy and load summaries, not circuit design.
Technical meaning
Connected load is the sum of input watts for the luminaires or lighting equipment in the assessed group.
It belongs in the lighting note beside fitting count, watts per fitting, driver load where relevant and the operating schedule used for energy estimates.
Connected load schedule rowsConnected load is built from countable lighting rows before operating hours or annual energy are read.
Calculation use
For a simple luminaire group, connected load equals fitting count multiplied by watts per fitting.
For running-cost estimates, connected load is converted to kilowatts and multiplied by annual operating hours.
Not the same as
Connected load is not illuminance. A lower connected load can still under-light a task plane if lumen output or distribution is unsuitable.
Connected load is not circuit design. Circuit capacity, protective devices, switching, controls and wiring requirements need their own electrical note.
Australian context
Australian lighting estimates should keep connected load as a lighting and energy figure, while licensed electrical work and installation details remain outside the calculator result.
Examples
Example
Value
Planning note
8 fittings at 12 W
96 W
Group load before controls and operating-hours assumptions.
40 m of 9.6 W/m strip
384 W
Driver sizing also needs headroom, voltage and installation notes.
Connected-load arithmetic supports lighting estimates and energy notes. Electrical installation decisions need project-specific electrical documentation.