ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM IN A BUILDING

BY: NAFISAH RAHIMAN

INTRODUCTION
Electricity has been generated for the purpose of powering human technologies since 1881, over 130 years, from various sources of energy Today we rely mainly on coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydroelectric and petroleum with a small amount from solar energy, tidal harness, wind generators, and geothermal sources for generating electric power

INTRODUCTION (CONTD)
The electrical installation within the building must be design and installed so as to be safe, to function correctly and to last for a long time Factors such as building structure, aesthetics, speed of installation and cost also have to be taken into consideration

CONDUCTOR MAXIMUM DEMAND CURRENT

LOAD

TERMINOLOGY

VOLTAGE

POWER UNIT

OHMS

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Conductor
A substance through which electricity flows freely, e.g: Copper, Aluminium, water, wiring system in a building, etc

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Current, I
Electricity flowing in a conductor The flow of electron inside any conducting medium Unit of measurement, ampere, A, amp or amps When used in equation, it is usually rep by the letter I, or i.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Voltage, V
A measurement of the potential of electrical energy that can drive electrons from one position to the other Sometimes called as the potential difference.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Ohms
Measurement of the resistance, R of a conductor to the flow of a current

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Unit
A tariff term for 1 kW

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Power, P
The amount of electrical energy measured in watts, W or kilowatts, kW. May be expressed in equation;
W=VxI

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Load
Any device/apparatus that consume electricity such as lightings, cookers, radios, etc 2 types:
Heavy loads electrical motor, lift, a/c system, industrial machineries and plants, etc Light loads radio, lightings, fan, television

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SYSTEM - TERMINOLOGY

Maximum demand
A measure of the maximum amount of power that is being consumed in a particular period of time: usually taken for a period of a month If the max demand is 40kW for the month of Sept, it means that for the month of Sept, the peak consumption by ALL the loads in that period is 40kW.

TYPES OF CURRENT
Direct Current, DC
Electrical Current travels in one direction only. E.g: Batteries

TYPES OF CURRENT (CONTD)

Alternating Current, AC
Flows in a given direction at a specific moment and then flows in the opposite direction Usually supplied in 3 phases.

TYPES OF CURRENT (CONTD)

Low Voltage
A term used to describe 400V three-phased and 230V single-phased supply

TYPES OF CURRENT (CONTD)

3 phase supply:
Refers to alternating current that continually varies in both magnitude and direction Consists of three overlapping currents, one in each phase. When 3 coils are rotated at a uniform speed in the magnetic field of an alternator, 3 identical waveforms are obtained.

3 PHASE SUPPLY SYSTEM

TYPES OF CURRENT (CONTD)

One phase / single phase
In this circuit, the electromotive force (EMF) undergoes one complete cycle of variation when the conductors in the alternator rotate through opposite magnetic fields set up by magnets.

SINGLE PHASE SUPPLY SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL POWER PRODUCTION

Power can be generated by Fossil fuels, coal, gas, oil, nuclear Hydroelectric, pumped storage, wind turbines But unlike water supply system theres a problem in utilization of electric energy as it cannot be stored. So must be generated & utilized in the same instant.

STAGES IN ELECTRICAL POWER PRODUCTION

The electrical power production can be divided into three stages as follows: 1. Generation Stage Starting from the generators in generation station to the step-up transformers

STAGES IN ELECTRICAL POWER PRODUCTION (CONTD)

2. Transmission Stage Starting from the National Gridline to the step-down transformers 3. Distribution Stage Starting from the step-down transformers and ends at the consumers premises.

STAG ES IN ELECTRICAL POW ER PRO DUC TION

SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN BUILDINGS SUPPLY TO THE RESIDENTIAL PREMISES

Normally, the electricity supply for residential premises in Malaysia are by mean of low voltage distribution system The residential premises are supplied with single phase supply system of 240 Volt Compared with heating pipe work or airconditioning ductwork, electrical cables present less of a problem when fitting them into a building

SUPPLY TO THE RESIDENTIAL PREMISES

The stages of supply are as follows: MAIN FUSE (OWNED BY TNB)

METER

MAIN FUSE SWITCH (30 A)

EARTH LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER (ELCB)

DISTRIBUTION BOARD / CONSUMER UNIT

FINAL SUBCIRCUITS

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT

THE NORMAL TYPES OF FINAL SUBCIRCUITS IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES

FAN SUBCIRCUIT

AIR-CONDITIONING SUBCIRCUIT (IF ANY)

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT There are two ways of running lighting circuits: via a loop-in system and via a junction box system

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

Loop-in system A feed cable runs from the consumer unit (fuse board) into each ceiling rose, out again and onto the next rose. A switch cable runs between the rose and the switch (fig. 1)

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

FIGURE 1

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

Junction box system A cable runs from the consumer unit into a series of junction boxes, one for each light unit (individually connected) Two more cables run from each junction box, one to the ceiling rose and one to the switch (fig. 2).

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

FIGURE 2

LIGHTING SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

In both systems the circuit is protected at the consumer unit by a 5 amp re-wirable or cartridge fuse, or by a 6 amp miniature circuit breaker (MCB). With 100 watts usually allowed per lighting point, small houses and flats will only have one lighting circuit. Larger dwellings may have two or three.

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT

The ordinary wall sockets around the house are normally connected to a ring circuit The 'ring' is formed by the cable going from the consumer unit to the first socket, then on to the second socket and then the next socket etc. until the cable returns to the consumer unit.

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

Each ring circuit is protected by a 32 amp fuse or trip fitted in the consumer unit. Modern installations incorporate a Residual Current Device (RCD) before the consumer unit which trips the whole system off if a fault is detected.

RCD

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

A ring may serve up to 100 m sq of floor area and may have any number of sockets outlets or fused connection units connected to it (100 m sq per ring) Each socket outlet is normally rated at 13 amps and a ring circuit is considered to be rated at 30amps (7200 watts)

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

It is advisable to have at least two ring circuit in all premises, in multi floor houses, one for each floor. The kitchen may have a large number of electrical appliances so a separate ring circuit is advised.

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

To add sockets outlets in each ring circuit, spur extension method can be utilized A spur is a socket connected into the ring by a single cable run added from any existing socket outlet in the ring circuit Over the whole ring, the total number of spurs must not exceed 50% of the number of socket outlets directly on the main ring. No more than two separate spurs may be connected from each outlet on the ring.

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

SOCKETS OUTLET SUBCIRCUIT (CONTD)

FAN SUBCIRCUIT
Basically, fan subcircuits utilize the same method of wiring as in wiring for lighting circuit

SAFETY DEVICES
Unsafe conditions such as overloaded circuits and damaged insulation as well as the misuse of extension cords and electrical products create fire hazards and other hazards. Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices located on an electrical panel to prevent overloading and fires.

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

Fuses and circuit breakers stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of the electrical system. Overloading means that the appliances regularly demand more electrical current than the electrical system can safely deliver.

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

FUSE
A safety device that protects an electric circuit from excessive current, consisting of or containing a metal element that melts when current exceeds a specific amperage, thereby opening the circuit.

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

a) Cartridge Fuse - a fuse cased in a tube

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

Cartridge Fuse (contd) - cartridge types are enclosed in the plug of most appliances - can range from 5 amps to 45 amps depending on the circuit to be protected

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

b) Rewireable Fuse
The rewireable type have a fuse wire held at both ends by a small retaining screw in a fuse carrier

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

CIRCUIT BREAKER (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker - ELCB)
A device with two earth terminals used to directly detect currents leaking to earth (short circuit) from an installation and cut the power The power has to be cut off to ensure the safety.

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

State of ELCB when it cuts the power is called tripped. Every time the ELCB tripped, we can reset it back (connect back the power line) by resetting the trip button Nowadays, they have been almost totally replaced by residual current device (RCD)

SAFETY DEVICES (CONTD)

Circuit breakers are normally more sensitive than fuses and therefore offer more protection

MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER (MCB)

EARTH LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER (ELCB)

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS

Three-phase supply is normally required since the loading for single phase would be too high. The building will then be divided into 3 zones, each will have the same load Each zone is served by one of the 3 phases, i.e red zone will be served by red phase, blue and yellow zones will be by blue and yellow phases.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Though the incoming supply is about 400V, the voltage in each zone is only 230V. Majority of building equipment requires 230V supply. So some equipments with higher requirement will be connected with different circuit to the distribution board.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Large commercial buildings/office buildings with loads greater than 1000kVA needs to be supplied with high voltage supply (11kVA)

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Needs higher capital and operating cost than low voltage supply due to
Higher voltage equipment is needed Bigger space area Losses of energy in transformers Qualified personnel needed

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Since not every equipment may be supplied with high Voltage, step-down transformers, and association switch gears are needed. They are placed in small room/ext building located on the premise, called substation.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

From the substation, the electrical supply may be distributed in either of these systems:
Radial Distribution System Ring Distribution System

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Radial Distribution System Using the underground electrical cables where each building is supplied with electricity on individual / separated cables from the substations. Requires a large number of cables and thus it is costly. The fault in the supply to one load centre will not affect the others.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

RADIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Ring Distribution System The circuit is arranged in the form of a ring which starts and finishes at the high voltage intake, using underground electrical cables which are connected into the buildings accordingly from the substations.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN LARGE BUILDINGS/AREAS(CONTD)

Ring Distribution System (Contd)
Provides a higher stability of supply and lower number of cables compared to radial. Each load centre has a high voltage supply from either side of the ring main, so if fault occurs with one of the supplies, the load centre still can operate. Electricity supply and distribution system in UTM are using ring distribution system in which underground cables are connected from one faculty/building to another starting from main substation located in front of main guard post.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

Like many large buildings, high rise buildings normally have their own substations. From the substation, the electricity is distributed to the switch rooms for further distribution. The common system used for high rise buildings is the rising main distribution system Basically, the vertical copper or aluminium bus-bars, supported with insulated supports system is used through the building levels. The bus-bars are placed in a specially built duct and separated from other building services fittings.

1500 A bus-bars within a power distribution rack for a large building

BUSBAR TRUNKING

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (CONTD)

A bus-bar refers in electrical power distribution to thick strips of Copper or other material that conduct electricity around a switchboard, distribution board, substation, or other electrical apparatus. The size of the bus-bar determines the maximum amount of current that can be safely carried.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (CONTD)

Small distribution board or consumer units may have bus-bars which have a cross sectional area of as little as 10 mm2 but large electrical substations may use metal tubes of 50 mm or more in diameter as bus-bars. Bus-bars are typically either flat strips or hollow tubes as these shapes allow heat to dissipate more efficiently due to their high surface area to cross-section area ratio.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (CONTD)

Bus-bars are usually suitably insulated for the voltage which they carry. The busbar may either be supported on insulators, or else insulation may completely surround the bus-bar. Bus-bars are protected from accidental contact either by being surrounded in a sheet metal enclosure or by being placed out of normal reach.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (CONTD)

Neutral bus-bars may also be insulated. Earth bus-bars are typically bolted directly onto any metal chassis of their enclosure. Electrical supply for each level is made possible by tapping-off from the bus-bars and passed through the level db before reaching the subcircuits on the level.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (CONTD)

Usually, there are four (4) bus-bars on every installation, i.e. 3 for the live and 1 neutral. During the fire, to prevent from further spreading the fire the gap formed between the bus-bars and floors must be insulated.

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CABLES

1. Armoured three phase four wire cable
Used in the main and sub-main cabling installation. Buried underground and will only emerge above ground when it is connected to the substations or main distribution room.

ARMOURED THREE PHASE FOUR WIRE CABLE

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CABLES (CONTD)

2. PVC or rubber insulated cable
Most widely used for internal wiring in buildings. Largely unaffected by oil and many other chemicals Tough, durable and will not support combustion.

PVC OR RUBBER INSULATED CABLE

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CABLES (CONTD)

1. Mineral insulated copper or aluminium covered cable.
Consists of solid copper/aluminium conductors, insulated by refractory materials such as magnesium oxide between the cores which is capable of withstanding high temperatures, and an outer metallic sheath (copper), seamless, water and resistant.

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CABLES (CONTD)

1. Mineral insulated copper or aluminium covered cable (contd)
This type of cable is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 250 C. The outer copper sheath provides the earth continuity conductor. Unlike PVC, it does not deteriorate with age.

Mineral-insulated cables. Each copper-sheathed cable carries three phase power in a 480 V circuit. Mineral-insulated cables are attached to the panel board with special fittings. Behind the cables a bare stranded copper bonding conductor can be seen, which bonds electrical equipment to earth ground

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CABLES (CONTD)

1. Mineral insulated copper or aluminium covered cable (contd)
Disadvantages: expensive. It is essential to ensure that moisture does not reach the insulation.

CABLE TRAY
In other words, Cable tray is a form of steel tray work, available in linear lengths which is used in industrial and commercial situations as a support for cables which are installed in free air Cable trays are used to hold up and distribute cables.

CABLE TRAY

RACEWAYS (CABLE PATH)

Purposes: 2. To support the conductors 3. Protect conductors from damage and corrosion 4. Earthing installation and prevent electric shock 5. Protect other building materials due to fire caused by heating of or sparks/arcing between conductors
Therefore, the raceways are always built rigidly and made of metallic materials.

RACEWAYS (CABLE PATH) -CONTD

Types of raceways:
a) Rigid Conduits
Made of galvanized mild steel and available in two grades; light and heavy, and also PVC. In Malaysia, the most commonly used are the heavy and the PVC May be installed on building fabrics or buried underneath the concrete or bricks

RIGID CONDUIT

RACEWAYS (CABLE PATH) -CONTD

b) Flexible conduits
Commonly used in distributions to machineries and vibrating electrical appliances.

TRUNKING
Metal ducts in square / box shapes to place electrical cables May be in the forms of:
floor trunking skirting trunking / perimeter trunking normal trunking

TRUNKING (CONTD)
Manufactured from mild steel sheeting or plastic May be either surface-mounted or buried

FLOOR TRUNKING

NORMAL TRUNKING

PERIMETER TRUNKING

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
COMMON ELECTRICAL SYMBOL

ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM (CONTD)

THE END
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION