What we do
LoadCalculator.net provides free engineering calculations for Canadian construction and trades professionals. Every calculator is built to the applicable Canadian standard — not generic rules of thumb adapted from American sources. We cover electrical, structural, HVAC, and trucking disciplines across all 10 Canadian provinces.
The calculations are the same ones licensed professionals perform daily: panel load calculations per CEC Rule 8-200, beam sizing per CSA O86, furnace sizing per CSA F280, and roof snow load per NBCC 2020 Clause 4.1.6.2. We make them accessible, fast, and free.
Who we built this for
- Licensed electricians doing quick field checks on wire size, breaker sizing, and panel capacity
- Electrical contractors estimating service upgrades and EV charger installations
- Structural engineers and designers doing preliminary beam and snow load calculations
- HVAC contractors sizing furnaces and air conditioners for Canadian climate zones
- General contractors and builders checking deck joist spans, beam sizes, and footing loads
- Commercial truck operators verifying axle loads before crossing provincial borders
- Homeowners understanding their electrical panel capacity before adding an EV charger or hot tub
Our calculators
Canadian standards we follow
Every calculator references a specific Canadian standard. We do not adapt American (NEC/IBC/ASHRAE) calculations for Canadian use — we implement the Canadian standard directly.
| Standard | Full title | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| CEC 2021 | Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CSA C22.1-21) | Wire sizing, circuit breakers, panel loads, voltage drop |
| NBCC 2020 | National Building Code of Canada 2020 | Structural loads, snow loads, beam sizing, deck construction |
| CSA F280-12 | Determining the Required Capacity of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Appliances | Furnace sizing, AC sizing, heating and cooling loads |
| CSA O86-19 | Engineering Design in Wood | Lumber and engineered wood beam design, LVL, glulam |
| Provincial Regs | Highway Traffic Act regulations by province | Commercial truck axle weight limits and spring restrictions |
How we approach accuracy
Each calculator implements the formula or demand method from the applicable standard directly. Where the standard provides a table (such as CEC Table 2 for conductor ampacity or CEC Table 14 for electric range demand), we replicate the table values. Where the standard provides a formula (such as the NBCC snow load formula or the CSA F280 heat loss method), we implement the formula with city-specific climate data from NBCC Appendix C.
We update calculators when standards are revised. Calculators are currently based on the editions listed above. Provincial amendments to base codes may apply — always verify with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Important limitations
Calculator results are estimates for planning, budgeting, and preliminary design purposes. They do not replace the judgment of a licensed professional or constitute engineering advice. Electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician with the appropriate permit. Structural designs must be reviewed by a licensed structural engineer for permit applications. Always verify results with your AHJ and the applicable standard.
See our full disclaimer for details.
Contact
Questions about a specific calculation, a discrepancy you've found, or a calculator you'd like to see added? Reach us at hello@loadcalculator.ca.