For a single-family dwelling with 3500 square feet, how many 15-ampere lighting branch circuits are minimally required?

To determine the minimum number of 15-ampere lighting branch circuits required for a single-family dwelling, the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines should be referenced. According to NEC requirements, for residential buildings, one lighting circuit is typically required for every 600 square feet of living space.

For a dwelling that is 3500 square feet, you would divide the total square footage by the area that can be supported by a single lighting circuit.

3500 square feet divided by 600 square feet per circuit equals approximately 5.83, which suggests that at least 6 circuits are needed to ensure proper coverage and compliance with electrical code requirements.

It's essential to round up in these calculations since partial circuits still require a full circuit to be available to meet the needs of the lighting in the home. This is why selecting a minimum of 6 lighting branch circuits is appropriate for a 3500 square foot dwelling, making this the correct answer. This approach not only ensures compliance with electrical codes but also provides sufficient capacity for the lighting loads typically found in such a large residence.