When calculating the lighting load of a restaurant, what is the unit load per square foot that shall be used?

When calculating the lighting load for a restaurant, the appropriate unit load is 1.5 volt-amperes per square foot. This figure is derived from the National Electrical Code (NEC) which provides guidelines for electrical installations, including those in commercial occupancies like restaurants.

The reasoning behind using 1.5 volt-amperes is based on typical lighting requirements in such settings, which consider both general and task lighting needs that can vary in intensity depending on the specific layout and design of the establishment. This value provides a balanced approach to ensure adequate illumination while maintaining energy efficiency.

In contrast, other values present in the options reflect different standards and applications that do not adequately meet the demand typically found in restaurant environments. Applying 1.0 volt-amperes would likely result in insufficient lighting for patrons and staff, while using higher values like 2.0 or 2.5 volt-amperes might lead to overestimation of the load, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption and potentially higher installation costs. Thus, 1.5 volt-amperes is the most appropriate and widely accepted calculation for lighting loads in restaurants.