BUILDING SERVICES II

UNIT 1 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

SYSTEMS: ELECTRICAL WIRING
SYSTEMS
 ELECTRICAL BASIC - RESISTANCE

1. A resistor is a circuit element that dissipates

electrical energy (usually as heat)

2. Real-world devices that are modeled by resistors:

incandescent light bulbs, heating elements (stoves, heaters, etc.),
long wires

3. Resistance is measured in Ohms (W)

 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
OHM’S LAW

Definition 1. The ratio of potential difference (V) between any two points on a conductor
to the current (I) flowing between them is constant, provided the temperature of the
conductor does not change.

V/I = Const. (or) V/I = R

Where R is the resistance of the conductor between the two points considered.

Definition 2. Provided R is kept constant, current is directly proportional to the potential

difference across the ends of a conductor at constant temperature.
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
OHM’S LAW
Resistance in Series
• Current is the same through all the three conductors.
• Voltage drop across each is different according to its resistance –
governed by Ohm’s law.
• Sum of the three voltage drops = voltage applied across the three
conductors.
• There is a progressive fall in potential as we go from point A to D.
V= V1 + V2 + V3 = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
V = IR; where R is the equivalent resistance
of the series combination
IR = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
or R = R1 + R2 + R3
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
OHM’S LAW
Resistance in Parallel
• Potential difference across all resistances is the same.
• Current in each resistor is different and is given by Ohm’s law.
• Total current is the sum of the three separate currents.
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
OHM’S LAW LIMITATIONS

• Linear relationship between V and I does not apply to

all non-metallic conductors
– Eg. Silicon Carbide ; V= KIm
– K and m are constants
– m < unity

• Does not apply to non-linear devices

– Eg. Zener diodes, Voltage-regulator (VR) tubes
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

KIRCHOFFS CIRCUIT LAW

In complex circuits such as bridge or T networks,

we can not simply use Ohm's Law alone to find the voltages or currents circulating
within the circuit. For these types of calculations we need certain rules which allow us to
obtain the circuit equations and for this we can use Kirchoffs Circuit Law.

In 1845, a German physicist, Gustav Kirchoff developed a pair or set of rules or laws which
deal with the conservation of current and energy within electrical circuits. These two rules are
commonly known as:
Kirchoffs Circuit Laws with one of Kirchoffs laws dealing with the current flowing around
a closed circuit, Kirchoffs Current Law, (KCL)
while the other law deals with the voltage sources present in a closed circuit,
Kirchoffs Voltage Law, (KVL).
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

KIRCHOFFS FIRST LAW - THE CURRENT LAW, (KCL)

Kirchoffs Current Law or KCL, states that the "total current or charge entering a junction or node is
exactly equal to the charge leaving the node as it has no other place to go except to leave, as no charge
is lost within the node". In other words the algebraic sum of ALL the currents entering and leaving a
node must be equal to zero, I(exiting) + I(entering) = 0. This idea by Kirchoff is commonly known as the
Conservation of Charge.
 LAWS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

KIRCHOFFS SECOND LAW - THE VOLTAGE LAW, (KVL)

Kirchoffs Voltage Law or KVL, states that "in any closed loop network, the total voltage around the loop
is equal to the sum of all the voltage drops within the same loop" which is also equal to zero.
In other words the algebraic sum of all voltages within the loop must be equal to zero.
This idea by Kirchoff is known as the Conservation of Energy.
 BASICS OF ELECTRICITY

3-PHASE POWER
If the voltage of regular house power is examined on an oscilloscope,
it looks like a simple sine wave, the smooth curve going up and down. It is off (0 volts) 120
times a second and goes from +120 to -120 on each swing. This is technically called single
phase power, a term that is almost never used. Single phase power takes two wires
(often a third for safety ground.)
When 240 power is required, a second sine wave is introduced exactly the opposite of this
one so at the peak, there is 240 volts from peak to peak and zero at the crossing.
 BASICS OF ELECTRICITY

3-PHASE POWER
Three phase power has at least three wires (usually 4 for a safety ground) and when the
voltage on the three wires is examined over time it is discovered that each of the wires
has the voltage going through zero at a different time, evenly dividing the interval graphed
like this: because of the timing (and the fact that power comes out of the generator this way)
it is possible to deliver power more smoothly and to deliver more power over the same size
wires. For this reason, most big power users receive their power as three phase and either
divide it up among different single phase uses on the property (carefully balancing the loads
between phase to make the power company happy) or using the three phase directly. Most
really serious glass fusers and saggers (with kilns measured in feet, not inches) use 3 phase
feeds to the kiln. Besides, it is cheaper.
 EARTHING FOR SAFETY
EARTHING
How earthing Works? The basic idea of a safety from electrical disaster the same everywhere. The case
(chassis) of the equipment (and except for special situations, the internal electronics) is connected to an
earth pin on the mains outlet. This is then connected through the house wiring and switchboard to an
electrically solid earth point, which is called EARTHING or GROUNDING.

If a fault develop within the equipment that causes the active (live) conductor to come into contact with
the chassis, the fault current will flow to earth, and the equipment or main switchboard fuse or circuit
breaker will blow. This protects the user from electric shock, bypassing the dangerous current directly to
earth.

Earth Clamp
 EARTHING FOR SAFETY
TYPES OF EARTHING
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EARTHING – IS 3043 - 1987

Internationally, it has been agreed to

classify the earthing systems as

TN System,

TT System and

IT System.
 EARTHING FOR SAFETY
TYPES OF EARTHING

TN system — has one or more points of the source of energy directly earthed, and the
exposed and extraneous conductive parts of the installation are connected by means
of protective conductors to the earthed point(s) of the source, that is, there is a
metallic path for earth fault currents to flow from the installation to the earthed
point(s) of the source. TN systerns are further sub-divided into TN-G, TN-S and TN-C- Systems.
 EARTHING FOR SAFETY
TYPES OF EARTHING

TT system — has one or more points of the source of energy directly earthed and the
exposed and extraneous conductive parts of the installation are connected to a local
earth electrode or electrodes are electrically independent of the source earth (s).
 EARTHING FOR SAFETY
TYPES OF EARTHING

IT system — has the source either unearthed or earthed through a high impedance
and the exposed conductive parts of the installation are connected to electrically
independent earth electrodes.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DEFINITIONS

Conductor
A conductor comprises a single metallic core with or without an insulating envelope.

Cable
A cable is made up of a number of conductors, electrically separated, but joined
mechanically, generally enclosed in a protective flexible sheath.

Cableways
The term cableway refers to conductors and/or cables together with the means of
support and protection, etc. for example : cable trays, ladders, ducts, trenches,
and so on… are all “cableways”.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

A method of installation consists of taking a suitable type of cable, giving it adequate

protection and putting it into the building in some way. The subject can, therefore, be
fairly logically considered by considering

TYPES OF CABLE,

METHODS OF PROTECTION and

METHODS OF INSTALLATION
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Conductors
The commonest conductor used in cables is copper. The only other conductor used is
aluminium.

Insulation
Every conductor must be insulated to keep them apart, keep the flow of current within the
conductor and prevent its leaving or leaking from the conductor at random along its
length. The following types of insulation are in use.

- Thermoplastic PVC
- Thermosetting insulation
- Butyl rubber
- Silicone rubber
- Glass
- Paper
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

TYPES OF CABLE
1. a single-core PVC-insulated steel wire armoured PVC-covered
cable. This is conventionally referred to as a PVC/SWA/PVC cable.

2. A three-core PVC-insulated steel wire armoured cable with a PVC covering. The
abbreviation for this is PVC/S/SWA/PVC cable. A considerable number of variations
on this basic design is possible.

3. This particular cable would be described as three-phase straight concentric, which would
be abbreviated PCU/PVC/straight concentric/PVC cable. This type of cable is used to supply
TN-C-S systems, where the armouring forms the CPC (Circuit Protective Conductor) and the
neutral conductor.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

METHODS OF PROTECTION

The protection against mechanical damage given to cable is

sometimes part of the cable itself, as with PVC insulated PVC sheathed cables, and
sometimes part of the method of installation, as with conduit systems.

Conduit
In a conduit system the cables are drawn into tubing called conduit. The conduit can be
steel or plastic. Steel conduit is made in both light gauge and heavy gauge, of which
heavy gauge is much more frequently used.

Conduit coupling
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
METHODS OF INSTALLATION

CONDUIT ENTRIES INTO BOXES

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT
In addition to the boxes, other fittings are made for use with conduit. These include the sockets and
bushes needed to make connections, and also bends and inspection covers, The use of bends and
inspection covers is not, however, regarded as good practice, because they provide inadequate room
for drawing in cable and because they look unsightly when the installation is completed. For long
lengths of run, inspection sleeves are available.

Conduit should be thick enough for the cross-sectional area of the metal to provide a good
earth continuity path. The conduit can, therefore, be used as the earth continuity
conductor and no separate cable or wire need be used for this purpose. It is essential that
the conduit, with all its fittings and screwed joints, should form a continuous conducting
path of low impedance and the safety

Conduit inspection fittings

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT
There are several types of flexible conduit.

Metallic flexible conduit

Metallic flexible is made from a stepped strip which is wound in a continuous spiral so as
to produce a long cylinder with spiral corrugations. The material
used is normally galvanized steel. Flexible conduit is also made in a number of plastic
materials. In some of these the flexibility is conferred by a corrugated structure, as in the
case of metallic flexible conduit, and in others by the flexible properties of the material
itself.

Flexible conduit cannot be used as a protective conductor.

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT
A conduit system must be completely installed before any cables are pulled into it. It
is, therefore, essential that it is set out so that an electrician can pull cables into it without
difficulty. Conduit systems are intended to be rewireable

To achieve rewireability, draw-in boxes must be accessible from the surface, or in

other words their covers must be flush with the finished surface. The covers can then be
removed without any cutting away of plaster or brickwork.

conduit between successive draw-in boxes should not exceed about 10m and there should
not be more than two right-angle bends between successive boxes.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT
A further requirement is that the bends should be made with as large a radius as the position of the
conduit within the building permits.

Conduit bending machine Bending block

Care must be taken in the making of bends to avoid rippling or flattening of the
conduit. The smallest sizes of conduit (16mm and 20mm) can in fact be bent over one’s
knee. This is not recommended because it is unlikely that a neat bend without kinks or flattening the
conduit will be produced. A bending block is a better device. The bottom edge of each hole should be
bevelled so that the conduit is not pulled against a sharp edge. The conduit to be bent is inserted in the
hole and hand pressure is brought to bear to bend the conduit slightly. The conduit is then
moved through the hole a short distance and the process repeated. Practice is necessary to
make a good bend without kinks and not all electricians possess the necessary skill.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT
There are a number of positions in a building in which the conduit can be fixed. It can
obviously be run on the surface of walls and ceilings

If walls are plastered, the conduit can generally be concealed

within the plaster. There must be at least 6mm of plaster covering the conduit if the
plaster is not to crack. Since plaster-depth conduit boxes are 16mm deep, the total
thickness of plaster must be at least 22mm.

Conduit chased into walls

ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONDUIT

Electrical conduit is not thick enough to support its

own
weight over long distances without sagging.

The supports must, therefore, be at quite close

intervals, and the maximum distances which should be
allowed between supports are as follows:
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
TYPES OF CONDUIT

PVC conduit Heavy gauge steel conduit

PVC sheathed cable

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF CONDUIT
Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC)
A conduit made form galvanized steel tubing is commonly referred as a rigid conduit. The
thickness of a galvanized rigid conduit protects the electrical wiring from being hit and
allows it to be threaded. Galvanized rigid conduits are used by electricians in commercial
and industrial applications.

Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)

Another example of rigid electrical conduit is the EMT, also known as Electrical Metallic
Tubing. An EMT conduit is made of steel; in some cases aluminum is also used, cheaper
than a galvanized rigid conduit and lighter than a GR conduit. EMT is also a very popular
material in commercial and industrial buildings because it can be bent to specific radius
and directions. During the last couple of years EMT conduits have become popular in
residential construction. EMT is a listed steel raceway of circular cross section, which is
unthreaded and normally 10 feet long.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF CONDUIT
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
Electrical non-metallic tubing is another example of electrical conduit. A non-metallic
conduit is thin-walled corrugated tubing, moisture-resistant and flame retardant. The non-
metallic conduit can be bent by hand and can be easy installed due to its flexible
properties. However, fitting used to connect non-metallic tubing are rigid and cannot be
bent.

Flexible Metallic Conduit (FMC)

A flexible metallic conduit forms a hollow tube in which electrical wires are passed. It is
highly recommended in dry areas. The Flexible Metallic Conduit, also called greenfield of
flex, does not maintain permanent bend.

Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

It is a thick threaded tubing, usually made of coated steel, stainless steel or aluminum
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF CONDUIT
PVC Conduits
PVC is the lightest conduit material and usually the lower cost conduit material. PVC
conduits can vary in thickness depending on the uses and where the PVC will be installed.
The PVC conduit resist moisture and corrosion but the tubing is non-conductive an extra
grounding conductor must be passed into each conduit. PVC conduit has a higher thermal
coefficient of expansion allowing the conduit to expand and contract. Be aware the
installing PVC underground in multiple or parallel run configurations, mutual heating might
cause problems on cable performance.

Flexible Metallic Conduit

A flexible metallic conduit forms a hollow tube in which electrical wires are passed. It is
highly recommended in dry areas. It does not maintain permanent bend.

Liquid-tight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)

Liquid-tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LNFC)
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
BUSBAR
Definition
An aluminum or copper conductor supported by insulators that interconnects the loads and the
sources of electric power in an electric power system. A typical application is the interconnection
of the incoming and outgoing transmission lines and transformers at an electrical substation. Bus-
bars also interconnect the generator and the main transformers in a power plant. In an industrial
plant such as an aluminum smelter, large bus-bars supply several tens of thousands of amperes to
the electrolytic process.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF BUSBAR
The major types are

(1) Rigid bus-bars, used at low, medium, and high voltage

The rigid bus-bar is an aluminum or copper bar, which is supported by porcelain insulators.

(2) Strain bus-bars, used mainly for high voltage

The strain bus-bar is a flexible, stranded conductor which is strung between substation metal
structures and held by suspension-type insulators.

(3) Insulated-phase bus-bars, used at medium voltage

The insulated-phase bus-bar is a rigid bar supported by insulators and covered by a grounded
metal shield. The main advantage of this system is the elimination of short circuits between
adjacent phases.

(4) Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-insulated bus-bars, used in medium- and high-voltage systems
The sulfur hexafluoride-insulated bus-bar is a rigid aluminum tube, supported by insulators and
installed in a larger metal tube, which is filled with high-pressure sulfur hexafluoride gas.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF BUSBAR
According to size 3 types

* Tubular bus bar

* Solid bus bar
* Flat bus bar

According to capacity 4 type

* Extra high voltage bus

* high voltage bus
* medium voltage bus
* low voltage bus
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
BUSWAYS
Busways, also referred to as busbar trunking systems, stand out for their ease of installation,
flexibility and number of possible connection points.

A busbar trunking system comprises a set of conductors protected by an enclosure

Used for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, busbar trunking systems have all
the necessary features for fitting: connectors, straights, angles, fixings, etc. The tap-off points
placed at regular intervals make power available at every point in the installation.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF BUSWAY
Busbar trunking systems are present at every level in electrical distribution: from the link between
the transformer and the low voltage switch switchboard (MLVS) to the distribution of power
sockets and lighting to offices, or power distribution to workshops.

We talk about a distributed network architecture.

There are essentially three categories of busways.

1. Transformer to MLVS busway

Installation of the busway may be considered as permanent and will most likely never
be modified. There are no tap-off points.
Frequently used for short runs, it is almost always used for ratings above 1,600 /2,000
A, i.e. when the use of parallel cables makes installation impossible. Busways are also
used between the MLVS and downstream distribution switchboards.
The characteristics of main-distribution busways authorize operational currents
from1,000 to 5,000 A and short-circuit withstands up to 150 kA.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF BUSWAY
2. Sub-distribution busbar trunking with low or high tap-off densities

Downstream of main-distribution busbar trunking , two types of applications must be

supplied:

- Mid-sized premises (industrial workshops with injection presses and metalwork machines or
large supermarkets with heavy loads).
The short-circuit and current levels can be fairly high (respectively 20 to 70 kA and 100 to 1,000
- Small sites (workshops with machine-tools, textile factories with small machines,supermarkets
with small loads). The short-circuit and
current levels are lower (respectively 10 to 40 kA and 40 to 400 A)

Sub-distribution using busbar trunking meets user needs in terms of:

- Modifications and upgrades given the high number of tap-off points
- Dependability and continuity of service because tap-off units can be connected under energized
conditions in complete safety

The sub-distribution concept is also valid for vertical distribution in the form of 100 to
5,000 A risers in tall buildings.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TYPES OF BUSWAY
3. Lighting distribution busbay

Lighting circuits can be distributed using two types of busbar trunking according to whether the
lighting fixtures are suspended from the busbar trunking or not.

- busbar trunking designed for the suspension of lighting fixtures

These busways supply and support light fixtures (industrial reflectors, discharge lamps, etc.). They
are used in industrial buildings, supermarkets, department stores and warehouses. The busbar
trunkings are very rigid and are designed for one or two 25 A or 40 A circuits. They have tap-off
outlets every 0.5 to 1 m.
- busbar trunking not designed for the suspension of lighting fixtures
Similar to prefabricated cable systems, these busways are used to supply all types of lighting
fixtures secured to the building structure. They are used in commercial buildings (offices, shops,
restaurants, hotels, etc.), especially in false ceilings. The busbar trunking is flexible and designed
for one 20 A circuit. It has tap-off outlets every 1.2 m to 3 m.

Busbar trunking systems are suited to the requirements of a large number of buildings.
Industrial buildings: garages, workshops, farm buildings, logistic centers, etc.
Commercial areas: stores, shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, etc.
Tertiary buildings: offices, schools, hospitals, sports rooms, cruise liners, etc.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
THE ADVANTAGES OF BUSBAR TRUNKING SYSTEMS
Flexibility
- Easy to change configuration (on-site modification to change production line configuration or
extend production areas).
- Reusing components (components are kept intact): when an installation is subject to major
modifications, the busbar trunking is easy to dismantle and reuse.
- Power availability throughout the installation (possibility of having a tap-off point every meter).
Wide choice of tap-off units.

Simplicity
- Design can be carried out independently from the distribution and layout of current consumers.
- Performances are independent of implementation: the use of cables requires a lot of derating
coefficients.

Clear distribution layout

Reduction of fitting time: the trunking system allows fitting times to be reduced by up to 50%
compared with a traditional cable installation.

Manufacturer’s guarantee
Controlled execution times: the trunking system concept guarantees that there are no unexpected
surprises when fitting. The fitting time is clearly known in advance and a quick solution can be
provided to any problems on site with this adaptable and scalable equipment.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
BUSWAY - MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Busbay systems allow circuits to be combined. Compared with a traditional cable distribution
system, consumption of copper raw materials and insulators is divided by 3 due to the busbay
distributed network concept

- Reusable device and all of its components are fully recyclable.

- Does not contain PVC and does not generate toxic gases or waste.
- Reduction of risks due to exposure to electromagnetic fields.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
CANALIS
New functional features for Canalis

Busbar trunking systems are getting even better. Among the new features we can mention:
Increased performance with a IP55 protection index and new ratings of 160 A through to 1000 A
(Ks).
New lighting offers with pre-cabled lights and new light ducts.
New fixing accessories. Quick fixing system, cable ducts, shared support with “VDI” (voice, data,
images) circuits.

Busbar trunking systems are perfectly integrated with the environment:

white color to enhance the working environment, naturally integrated in a range of electrical
distribution products.
conformity with European regulations on reducing hazardous materials (RoHS).
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
CANALIS

Flexible busbar trunking not capable of supporting light fittings : Canalis KDP (20 A)

Rigid busbar trunking able to support light fittings : Canalis KBA or KBB (25 and 40 A)
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
CANALIS

A busway for medium power distribution: Canalis KS (100 up to 1000A)

A busway for high power distribution: Canalis KT (800 up to 1000 A)

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TRACK LIGHTING
Definition

lighting for a room or other area in which individual light fixtures are
attached along a narrow, wall- or ceiling-mounted metal track through
which current is conducted, permitting flexible positioning of the lights.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TRACK LIGHTING – CABLE LIGHTING
Cable lighting systems are most commonly used in spaces with challenging
mounting surfaces. Consider them in rooms with very high ceilings, cathedral or
vaulted ceilings and ceilings interrupted by soffits, beams or exposed ductwork. In
these situations, short runs (under twenty feet) may typically be installed from wall
to wall without any vertical support at all. In situations requiring longer cable runs
additional vertical support is recommended to prevent excessive tension from
stressing the mounting points on the wall.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TRACK LIGHTING – LOW VOLTAGE MONO RAIL
Monorail lighting systems are characterized by their eye-catching, shapeable metallic rails which
are used to both power and suspend light fixtures.

Monorail lighting system limitations (Low Voltage Monorail vs. Line Voltage Monorail)
Most monorail lighting systems are low voltage. One significant limitation of these systems is that the
total wattage of all fixtures on the system is limited to 300 watts (at 12 volts or 600 watts at 24 volts).
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TRACK LIGHTING – LINE VOLTAGE MONO RAIL
Line voltage monorail lighting systems share a striking, shapeable metallic rail stucture with the
more common low voltage monorail systems, but they do not require the use of a transformer
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
TRACK LIGHTING – LINE VOLTAGE MONO RAIL

Like low voltage systems, line voltage rail is:

- Shapeable during installation to create attractive shapes and contour patterns

- Available in several different metallic finishes to complement most spaces

Unlike low voltage systems, line voltage rail:

- May be used to power a large number of light fixtures (heads, pendants or some
combination) from a single point of power
- Can power higher-wattage heads including commercial / retail-grade ceramic metal halide
heads
- Can easily have heads and pendants reconfigured without much concern of 'overloading' the
system
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – SWITCH BOARD
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – SOCKET

US FRANCE EURO

ISRAEL SINGAPORE CHINA

SWISS AUSTRALIA DENMARK

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
SUBSTATIONS
A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform
voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions. Between the
generating station and consumer, electric power may flow through several substations at different voltage
levels.

A substation may include transformers to change voltage levels between high transmission voltages and lower
distribution voltages, or at the interconnection of two different transmission voltages.

Substations generally have switching, protection and control equipment, and transformers. In a large
substation, circuit breakers are used to interrupt any short circuits or overload currents that may occur on the
network. Smaller distribution stations may use recloser circuit breakers or fuses for protection of distribution
circuits. Substations themselves do not usually have generators, although a power plant may have a
substation nearby. Other devices such as capacitors and voltage regulators may also be located at a
substation.

SWITCHGEAR
In an electric power system, switchgear is the combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses or circuit
breakers used to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment. Switchgear is used both to de-energize
equipment to allow work to be done and to clear faults downstream. This type of equipment is important
because it is directly linked to the reliability of the electricity supply.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
SUBSTATIONS TYPES
Substations may be described by their voltage class, their applications within the power system, the method
used to insulate most connections, and by the style and materials of the structures used.

Transmission substation
A transmission substation connects two or more transmission lines. The simplest case is where all
transmission lines have the same voltage. In such cases, the substation contains high-voltage switches that
allow lines to be connected or isolated for fault clearance or maintenance.

Distribution substation
A distribution substation transfers power from the transmission system to the distribution system of an area.
It is uneconomical to directly connect electricity consumers to the main transmission network, unless they use
large amounts of power, so the distribution station reduces voltage to a level suitable for local distribution.

Collector substation
In distributed generation projects such as a wind farm, a collector substation may be required. It resembles a
distribution substation although power flow is in the opposite direction, from many wind turbines up into the
transmission grid.

Switching substation
A switching substation is a substation without transformers and operating only at a single voltage level.
Switching substations are sometimes used as collector and distribution stations. Sometimes they are used for
switching the current to back-up lines or for parallelizing circuits in case of failure.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – PANEL BOARD

A panel / distribution board is the point at which an incoming-power supply divides into separate circuits, each of
which is controlled and protected by the fuses or switchgear of the panel board. A distribution panel board is divided
into a number of functional units, each comprising all the electrical and mechanical elements that contribute to the
fulfillment of a given function.

Distribution switchboards may differ according to the kind of application and the design principle adopted (notably in
the arrangement of the busbars). Distribution switchboards according to specific applications.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – SWITCHBOARD

A main LV switchboard - MLVS - (Prisma Plus P) with incoming circuits in the form of busways
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – SWITCHBOARDS

Sub-distribution switchboards Final distribution switchboards

 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – MCC

Motor Control Centers (MCC)

In many commercial and industrial applications, quite a few electric motors are required, and it is often
desirable to control some or all of the motors from a central location. The apparatus designed for this
function is the motor control center (MCC).

Motor control centers are simply physical groupings of combination starters in one assembly. A
combination starter is a single enclosure containing the motor starter, fuses or circuit breaker, and a
device for disconnecting power. Other devices associated with the motor, such as pushbuttons and
indicator lights may also be included.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – PANEL BOARD
Two technologies of distribution switchboards

Traditional distribution switchboards

Switchgear and fusegear, etc. are normally located on a chassis at the rear of the enclosure.
Indications and control devices (meters, lamps, pushbuttons, etc.) are mounted on the front face of
the switchboard. The placement of the components within the enclosure requires very careful study,
taking into account the dimensions of each item, the connections to be made to it, and the
clearances necessary to ensure safe and trouble-free operation.

Functional distribution switchboards

Generally dedicated to specific applications, these distribution switchboards are made up of
functional modules that include switchgear devices together with standardised accessories for
mounting and connections, ensuring a high level of reliability and a great capacity for last-minute
and future changes.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – PANEL BOARD

Advantages - Functional distribution

The use of functional distribution switchboards has spread to all

levels of LV electrical distribution, from the main LV switchboard
(MLVS) to final distribution switchboards, due to their many
advantages:

- System modularity that makes it possible to integrate numerous functions in a single distribution
switchboard, including protection,
- Distribution switchboard design is fast because it simply involves adding functional modules
- Prefabricated components can be mounted faster
- Finally, these distribution switchboards are subjected to type tests that ensure a high degree of
dependability.
- Flexibility and ease in building distribution switchboards
- Time savings at all stages, from design to installation, operation and modifications or upgrades
- Easy adaptation, for example to meet the specific work habits and standards in different countries.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS
Lightning Conductors

Lightning conductors were originally developed by Benjamin Franklin. A lightning rod is a metal rod
attached to the roof of a building. The rod might be an inch (2 cm) in diameter. It connects to a huge
piece of copper or aluminum wire that's around an inch in diameter. The wire is connected to a
conductive grid buried in the ground nearby.

Air Terminals –
Also referred to as lightning rods, these inconspicuous copper or aluminum rods are vertically
mounted on the roof at regular intervals as defined by industry safety standards. The air terminals
serve as strike receptors, designed to intercept the lightning strike.

Main Conductors –
Constructed of aluminum or copper, these braided cables connect the air terminals to the other
system components and the grounds.
 ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT – LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS
Grounds –
A minimum of two ground rods, driven at least 10 feet deep in the earth are required for all
structures. The ground terminations direct the dangerous current into the ground, to eliminate the
chance of injury or damage to the structure. Special grounding requirements are sometimes
necessary in shallow, sandy or rocky soil, which are addressed in the industry safety standards for
installation.

Bonds –
Bonding joins metallic bodies (roof components) and grounded building systems to the main
conductor to ensure conductivity and prevent side flashing (lightning jumping between two objects.)

Surge Arresters and Suppressors –

A surge is an increase in electrical current due to a lightning strike on or near a power line or utility
service. Surge suppression is installed at the electrical panel/s to prevent the entrance of
overvoltages which can cause a fire. Arresters installed at electrical panels help protect heavy
appliances and prevent fires at the service panel entrances. Additional devices may be needed to
protect other in-house electronics. Surge protection devices are typically installed in conjunction
with a lightning protection system.
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Structured cabling is building or campus telecommunications cabling infrastructure

that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements (hence structured) called subsystems.
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

A structured cabling system consists of six infrastructure subsections:

Entrance Facility, Equipment Room, Telecommunications Room, Backbone Cabling,
Horizontal Cabling and Work Area.

Entrance Facility
Entrance Facility (EF) refers to the entrance to a building for both public and private
network service cables (as well as antenna transmission lines where applicable),
including the entrance point at the building wall or floor, and continuing to the
entrance room or entrance space.

The EF may include the following:

• Service entrance pathways
• Cables
• Connecting hardware
• Primary (electrical) protection devices
• Transition hardware
• Demarcation point
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Equipment Room
The purpose of the Equipment Room (ER) is to provide space and preserve an
appropriate operating environment for any size telecommunications equipment.
ERs supply an entire building (or even a campus) while Telecommunications Room
(TR) only serve one floor of a building or a portion of a floor.
ERs are used to:
• Accommodate portions of common control equipment such as voice, intrusion
detection, data, video, fire alarm, energy management, etc.
• Provide work space for service employees.
• Provide for termination and cross-connection of backbone and horizontal cables.

Telecommunications Room
The Telecommunications Room (TR) houses the connection point between the
building backbone and horizontal distribution pathways.
TRs are used to:
• Maintain a controlled environment for the telecommunications equipment, splice
closures and connecting hardware.
• Provide a point of termination for horizontal and backbone cables on compatible
connecting hardware.
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Equipment Room
The purpose of the Equipment Room (ER) is to provide space and preserve an
appropriate operating environment for any size telecommunications equipment.
ERs supply an entire building (or even a campus) while Telecommunications Room
(TR) only serve one floor of a building or a portion of a floor.
ERs are used to:
• Accommodate portions of common control equipment such as voice, intrusion
detection, data, video, fire alarm, energy management, etc.
• Provide work space for service employees.
• Provide for termination and cross-connection of backbone and horizontal cables.

Telecommunications Room
The Telecommunications Room (TR) houses the connection point between the
building backbone and horizontal distribution pathways.
TRs are used to:
• Maintain a controlled environment for the telecommunications equipment, splice
closures and connecting hardware.
• Provide a point of termination for horizontal and backbone cables on compatible
connecting hardware.
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Backbone Pathways and Cabling

Backbone Pathways and Cabling, as the name suggests, carry the signals between
the entrance facilities, equipment rooms and telecommunications rooms. Pathways
are the vertical and horizontal route of the cable, including support structures. The
backbone cabling system enables interconnections between EFs, TRs, ERs, and main
terminal space. The backbone also extends between buildings in a campus
environment

Horizontal Pathways and Cabling

Horizontal Pathways and Cabling provide the method of conveying signals between
the telecommunications outlet/connector in the Work Area (WA) and the HC. This
kind of cabling and its connecting hardware are known as a link.
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Work Area
The Work Area consists of the communication outlets (wall boxes and faceplates),
wiring, and connectors needed to connect the work area equipment (computers,
printers, etc.) via the horizontal wiring subsystem to the TR.
• The standard requires that a minimum of two outlets be provided at each wall
plate - one for voice and one for data.
• Horizontal cable lengths must take into consideration the maximum length of
work area cables to be utilized.
• Patch cords are designed to provide easy routing changes, and the equipment
cords are considered to have performance equivalent to patch cords of the same
kind and category
 COMMUNICATION – STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Cross-Connect
Cross-connects facilitate the termination of cabling elements and their connections
to other elements of the system. Cross-connects are housed in ERs and TRs. They
are generally classified as follows:
• Main cross-connect (MC): Transition point between the entrance cables and
backbone cabling.
• Intermediate cross-connect (IC): Transition point between the backbone cable of
the MC and HC.
• Horizontal cross-connect (HC): Transition point between backbone cabling and
horizontal cabling, typically serving a single floor or portion of a floor.
 COMMUNICATION – CABLE TYPES

Cat5 – Category 5 cabling is an out-of-date standard for Ethernet cabling, which is capable of speeds
up to 100 megabits per second.

Cat5e – Category 5e is an improvement on the original Cat5 design. From the outside they look the
same, but Cat5e is capable of speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second. This is because Cat5 and
Cat5e cable both have 4 pairs of wires inside, but Cat5 only utilizes 2 pairs at a time while Cat5e
uses all four. The other improvement comes from tighter twisting of those wires. Cat5 was prone
to “crosstalk”, interference between wire pairs, which the tighter twisting in Cat5e remedies.

Cat6 – Cat6 twists the pairs even tighter, and insulates each pair in its own sheath, which prevents
crosstalk even in areas with outside interference. Its other improvement is that it handles
information at a higher frequency (250MHz instead of the previous 100MHz), which translates to
speeds up to 10,000 megabits per second.
 COMMUNICATION – CABLE TYPES

Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that specify wiring data
centers, offices, and apartment buildings for data or voice communications using various kinds of
cable, most commonly category 5e (CAT-5e), category 6 (CAT-6), and fibre optic cabling and modular
connectors.

COAXIAL CABLE

CAT 5E CAT 6 OPTIC FIBRE

 COMMUNICATION – PATHWAYS

PATHWAYS

A pathway is the physical route and space taken by cables between their start and endpoints. The
cost of pathway construction can exceed that of the cabling. The correct selection and design of
pathways is vital to electrical code compliance, cost optimization, and future utility.

- Conduits
- Cable trays
- Surface Molding
- Raised Flooring
- Rack Roofs
- Holocom PDS
 COMMUNICATION – PATHWAYS

Modular Cable System

This flexible tube system allows the required number of fibres of the needed type to be blown in at
any time. The network can thus be expanded in stages, thus also enabling just-in-time installation at
lower cost.

Upgrading fibres is easy and exchanged fibres or MiniCables can be re-used. Typical applications are
access networks (last mile) and in-house cabling systems without requiring any sub-distributors,
floor distributors or splices from the central to final point. The fibre can be laid directly to the
workstation.