What is the term for a load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more?

A load characterized by its maximum current being sustained for a duration of 3 hours or more is referred to as a continuous load. This definition aligns with the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines, which specify that continuous loads are those that operate at a given load for three hours or longer. Understanding this concept is essential for appropriate electrical system design and safety considerations.

Continuous loads are critical for determining proper conductor sizing, overcurrent protection settings, and total load calculations to ensure that a system can handle the sustained current without overheating or failing. When planning electrical systems, professionals must account for continuous loads to comply with NEC requirements and ensure reliable operation.

The other terms described in the question do not represent the same characteristics: a temporary load refers to a load that is not intended to operate continuously or for long durations, an intermittent load suggests usage that is not consistent over time with cycles of on and off operation, and a peak load typically refers to the maximum load demand over a short period, not necessarily sustained over hours.