What is the required branch-circuit overcurrent protection rating for a continuous load of 80 amperes?

To determine the required branch-circuit overcurrent protection rating for a continuous load, one must apply the appropriate guidelines outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC specifies that the branch-circuit overcurrent protection should be rated at 125% of the continuous load to ensure that the circuit can handle the load without tripping excessively during normal operation.

In this scenario, the continuous load is 80 amperes. To calculate the required protection rating, you need to multiply the continuous load by 1.25:

80 A × 1.25 = 100 A.

This means that the branch-circuit overcurrent protection rating must be at least 100 amperes to safely and effectively protect the circuit while accounting for potential load increases over time. Therefore, a rating of 100 amperes is suitable here, as it provides the required margin for continuous loads.