In order to achieve an end-of-load rating for a 2000-watt circuit, which arrangement is specified?

In order to achieve an end-of-load rating for a 2000-watt circuit, which arrangement is specified?

• A. Four 500-watt items in series
• B. Two 1000-watt items in parallel
• C. One 2000-watt item
• D. Two 1000-watt items in series

Answer: (D)

Connections must be arranged so each device sees the full supply voltage in order to add up to the desired total wattage. That means wiring two 1000-watt devices in parallel on a 120-volt circuit. At 120 V, each device would draw about 1000/120 ≈ 8.3 A, so together they draw roughly 16.7 A and produce about 2000 W (1000 W + 1000 W). If the same devices were in series, the voltage would split between them, so each would operate far below its rated power—about 60 V across each and roughly 250 W per device, totaling around 500 W—which does not meet the 2000-watt rating. A single 2000-watt device would meet the rating, but when using multiple loads, parallel wiring is the way to achieve the total.

Connections must be arranged so each device sees the full supply voltage in order to add up to the desired total wattage. That means wiring two 1000-watt devices in parallel on a 120-volt circuit. At 120 V, each device would draw about 1000/120 ≈ 8.3 A, so together they draw roughly 16.7 A and produce about 2000 W (1000 W + 1000 W). If the same devices were in series, the voltage would split between them, so each would operate far below its rated power—about 60 V across each and roughly 250 W per device, totaling around 500 W—which does not meet the 2000-watt rating. A single 2000-watt device would meet the rating, but when using multiple loads, parallel wiring is the way to achieve the total.