ABSTRACT
In most, if not all, installations the full load will never be used and for that reason diversity can be applied not only to circuits to help electricians to select the correct cable size. It can also be applied to whole installations to help electricians to make a realistic assessment of the total amount of energy required from the supply. The best examples that could be used to explain the use of diversity is when a cooker is to be installed. When the electricians are installing a point for a cooker they need to ensure that the cable is a suitable size to carry the current required as cookers vary greatly in loading. Diversity can be used to calculate maximum demand but realistic values must be used and a great deal of thought should be given to what equipment is likely to be used and when.
