A total of 3500 square feet of occupied area the minimum number of 15-ampere lighting branch circuits is?

To determine the minimum number of 15-ampere lighting branch circuits required for a 3,500 square foot occupied area, you can refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC). Typically, one 15-amp circuit can handle up to 1,500 watts of lighting. Assuming a general guideline of 3 watts per square foot for lighting, you would need approximately 11,667 watts for 3,500 square feet, which translates to about 8 circuits (11,667 watts ÷ 1,500 watts per circuit). Thus, a minimum of 8 lighting branch circuits is recommended.