CHAPTER 4

USER CIRCUIT
BFB 40603 BUILDING SERVICES II
What is a circuit?
• A steady flow of electricity
or
• A pathin which electrons
from a voltage or current
source flow.
 Ohm's law

GEORG SIMON OHM

(1789-1854)

The relationship between the Voltage, Current and Resistance

Ohm's law

Current (I), in Amperes (A)

• Movement of charge in the circuit

• Amount of charge that pass certain point per unit
time

Voltage (V), in Volts

• Voltage gives energy to the charge GEORG SIMON OHM
• 1 Voltage means each charge gets 1 joule of energy (1789-1854)

Resistance, (R), in Ohm (Ω)

• Measures for given voltage how much current going
out at particular circuit

Power, (P), in Watts (w)

• Energy release per unit time in a circuit
Electrical power in circuits
• Electrical Power, ( P ) in a circuit is the rate at which
energy is absorbed or produced within a circuit. A source
of energy such as a voltage will produce or deliver power
while the connected load absorbs it.
Example: Light bulbs and heaters absorb electrical power and convert
it into either heat, or light, or both. The higher their value or rating in
watts the more electrical power they are likely to consume.

• The quantity symbol for power is P and is the product of

voltage multiplied by the current with the unit of
measurement being the Watt ( W ).
Formula of electrical power
V = IR
Example:
find the voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (R)
What do these symbols show?
Circuit Components
Circuit symbols
TYPES OF CIRCUITS
• Series
• Parallel
• Series and Parallel (Combination)
 SERIES CIRCUIT
• A series circuit is the simplest circuit.
• The conductors, control and protection devices, loads,
and power source are connected with only one path to
ground for current flow.
• The resistance of each device can be different. The same
amount of current will flow through each.
• The voltage across each will be different. If the path is
broken, no current flows and no part of the circuit works.
• Christmas tree lights are a good example; when one light
goes out the entire string stops working.
 SERIES CIRCUIT
• A Series Circuit has only one path to ground, so electrons must go
through each component to get back to ground. All loads are
placed in series.
Therefore:
1. An open in the circuit will disable the entire circuit.
2. The voltage divides (shared) between the loads.
3. The current flow is the same throughout the circuit.
4. The resistance of each load can be different.
 Series Circuit Calculations
Three resistors connected in series, and the direction of current is indicated by the arrow.

• The voltage drops across the resistors must

add up to the total voltage supplied by the
battery

• Since V = I R, then
• Since there is only one path
for the current to travel,
the current through each of
the resistors is the same.
• total resistance (Rtotal) is equal to the sum of all resistances

𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3
• strength of current (I) flowing in the circuit
𝑉 𝑉
I= =
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅1 +𝑅2 +𝑅3
Example
PARALLEL CIRCUIT

• A parallel circuit has more than

one path for current flow.
• The same voltage is applied across each branch.
• If the load resistance in each branch is the same, the current in each
branch will be the same.
• If the load resistance in each branch is different, the current in each
branch will be different.
• If one branch is broken, current will continue flowing to the other
branches.
 PARALLEL CIRCUIT
• A Parallel Circuit has multiple paths or branches to ground.

Therefore:
1. In the event of an open in the circuit in one of the branches,
current will continue to flow through the remaining.
2. Each branch receives source voltage.
3. Current flow through each branch can be different.
4. The resistance of each branch can be different.
 Parallel Circuit Calculations
Resistors can be connected such that they branch out from a single point (known as a node),
and join up again somewhere else in the circuit. This is known as a parallel connection. Each
of the three resistors is another path for current to travel between points A and B.

• the current splits as it travels from A to B. So, the sum of

the currents through the three branches is the same as the
current at A and at B (where the currents from the branch
reunite).

Resistance Rtotal in a parallel connection can be

determined as follows:

• Each of the three resistors

1 1 1 1
in the parallel circuit must
= + +
have the same voltage.
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
Example
Example
SERIES PARALLEL
CIRCUIT
• A series-parallel circuit has some
components in series and others in parallel.

• The power source and control or protection devices are usually in series.
The loads are usually in parallel.
• The same current flows in the series portion, different currents in the
parallel portion.
• The same voltage is applied to parallel devices, different voltages to
series devices.
• If the series portion is broken, current stops flowing in the entire circuit.
If a parallel branch is broken, current continues flowing in the series
portion and the remaining branches.
 Combination Circuit Calculations

In this situation, we could calculate Now, we can replace the two resistors with a
the equivalent resistance of branch single, equivalent resistor with no effective
AB using our rules for series change to the circuit. The circuit is now a parallel
circuits. So, circuit, with resistors RAB and R3 in parallel.

1 1 1
= +
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝐴𝐵 𝑅3
Example
Example
VOLTAGE DROP

• A voltage drop is the amount of voltage or electrical pressure that is

used or given up as electrons pass through a resistance (load). All
voltage will be used up in the circuit.
• Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage in an electrical circuit
between the source and load. The sum of the voltage drops will equal
source voltage. A voltage drop measurement is done by measuring
the voltage before entering the load and the voltage as it leaves the
load. The difference between these two voltage readings is the
voltage drop.
VOLTAGE DROP
• In electrical wiring, national and local electrical codes may set
guidelines for maximum voltage drop allowed in a circuit, to
ensure reasonable efficiency of distribution and proper
operation of electrical equipment.
• Voltage drop may be neglected when the impedance of the
interconnecting conductors is small relative to the other
components of the circuit.
• IEEE allowed maximum voltage drop in a circuits is not more
than 2.5% from supply voltage.
For Example:
A circuit using 240V and maximum value for cable voltage drop is 6V,
where 2.5% x 240V = 6V
Total Voltage Drop
• When more than one load exists in a circuit, the voltage divides and will be
shared among the loads.
• The sum of the voltage drops equal source voltage. The higher the resistance
the higher the voltage drop.
• Depending on the resistance, each load will have a different voltage drop.

0V + 5V + 7V + 0V = 12V
Voltage Drop Calculation
• When current flows in a circuit, the presence of
a resistance in that circuit will cause the
voltage to fall or drop as it passes through the
resistance.
• The resultant difference in the voltage on each
side of the resistance is called a voltage drop.
• When current (I) flows in the following circuit,
voltage drops V1 and V2 across resistances R1
and R2 can be determined as follows from
Ohm's law.
• (The value of current I is the same for both R 1
and R2 since they are connected in series.)
• The sum of the voltage drops across all
resistances is equal to the voltage of the power
source (VT):
Example
Example
SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL WORKS
There are various types of safety in electrical works. Some of the components
are:

• Fuses

• GFCI’s

• Electrical Shock

• Lockouts and Tagouts

• Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment

• Fire Safety

• Fire extinguisher

• Harzadous location
 a) FUSES
• A fuse is a short length of wire designed to melt and
separate in the event of excessive current.

• Fuses are always connected in series with the

component(s) to be protected from overcurrent, so that
when the fuse blows (opens) it will open the entire circuit
and stop current through the component(s).

• Before removing any fuse from a circuit, be sure the

switch for the circuit is open or disconnected.

• When removing fuses, use an approved fuse puller and

break contact on the hot side of the circuit first.

• When replacing fuses, install the fuse first into the load
side of the fuse clip, then into the line side.
b) Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
• A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical
device which protects personnel by detecting potentially
hazardous ground faults and quickly disconnecting power
from the circuit.

• A potentially dangerous ground fault is any amount of

current above the level that may deliver a dangerous shock.

• Any current over 8 mA is considered potentially dangerous

depending on the path the current takes, the amount of
time exposed to the shock, and the physical condition of the
person receiving the shock.

• Therefore, GFCls are required in such places as dwellings,

hotels, motels, construction sites, marinas, receptacles near
swimming pools and hot tubs, underwater lighting,
fountains, and other areas in which a person may
experience a ground fault.
b) Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)

• A GFCI compares the amount of current in the ungrounded (hot) conductor with the
amount of current in the neutral conductor.

• If the current in the neutral conductor becomes less than the current in the hot
conductor, a ground fault condition exists.

• The amount of current that is missing is returned to the source by some path other
than the intended path (fault current). A fault current as low as 4 mA to 6 mA
activates the GFCI and interrupts the circuit. Once activated, the fault condition is
cleared and the GFCI manually resets before power may be restored to the circuit.
b) Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
• GFCI protection may be installed at different locations within a circuit.

• Direct-wired GFCI receptacles provide a ground fault protection at the point of

installation.

• GFCI receptacles may also be connected to provide GFCI protection at all other
receptacles installed downstream on the same circuit.

• GFCI CBs, when installed in a load center or panelboard, provide GFCI protection
and conventional circuit overcurrent protection for all branch-circuit components
connected to the CB.

• Plug-in GFCls provide ground fault protection for devices plugged into them. These
plug-in devices are often used by personnel working with power tools in an area that
does not include GFCI receptacles.
c) Electrical Shock.
• Strange as it may seem, most fatal electrical shocks happen to people who
should know better. Here are some electromedical facts that should make
you think twice before taking chances.

• It's not the voltage but the current that kills. People have been killed by 100
volts AC in the home and with as little as 42 volts DC. The real measure of a
shock's intensity lies in the amount of current (in milliamperes) forced
through the body. Any electrical device used on a house wiring circuit can,
under certain conditions, transmit a fatal amount of current.

• Currents between 100 and 200 milliamperes (0.1 ampere and 0.2 ampere)
are fatal. Anything in the neighborhood of 10 milliamperes (0.01) is capable
of producing painful to severe shock.
c) Electrical Shock.
c) Electrical Shock.
• As the current rises, the shock becomes more severe. Below 20 milliamperes,
breathing becomes labored; it ceases completely even at values below 75
milliamperes. As the current approaches 100 milliamperes ventricular
fibrillation occurs. This is an uncoordinated twitching of the walls of the
heart's ventricles. Since you don't know how much current went through the
body, it is necessary to perform artificial respiration to try to get the person
breathing again; or if the heart is not beating, cardio pulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) is necessary.

• Electrical shock occurs when a person comes in contact with two conductors
of a circuit or when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit. In either
case, a severe shock can cause the heart and lungs to stop functioning. Also,
severe burns may occur where current enters and exits the body.

• Prevention is the best medicine for electrical shock. Respect all voltages,
have knowledge of the principles of electricity, and follow safe work
procedures. Do not take chances. All electricians should be encouraged to
take a basic course in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) so they can aid a
coworker in emergency situations.
 c) Electrical Shock.
• Always make sure portable electric tools are in safe operating condition. Make sure there is
a third wire on the plug for grounding in case of shorts. The fault current should flow
through the third wire to ground instead of through the operator's body to ground if electric
power tools are grounded and if an insulation breakdown occurs.

• The injured person should be pulled free of contact with stationary equipment (such as a
bus bar) if the equipment cannot be quickly deenergized or if the survival of others relies on
the electricity and prevents immediate shutdown of the circuits.

• This can be done quickly and easily by carefully applying the following procedures:

 Protect yourself with dry insulating material.

 Use a dry board, belt, clothing, or other available nonconductive material to free the victim
from electrical contact. DO NOT touch the victim until the source of electricity has been
removed.

 Once the victim has been removed from the electrical source, it should be determined
whether the person is breathing. If the person is not breathing, a method of artificial
respiration is used
 d) Lockouts and Tagouts

• Lockouts and tagouts do not by themselves remove power from a circuit. An

approved procedure is followed when applying a lockout/tagout. Lockouts and
tagouts are attached only after the equipment is turned OFF and tested to ensure
that power is OFF. The lockout/tagout procedure is required for the safety of
workers due to modern equipment hazards.
d) Lockouts and Tagouts
• If the equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (such
as: depress stop button, open toggle switch).
• Operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating devices so that the energy
source(s) (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, other) is disconnected or isolated from
the equipment.
• Lockout energy isolating devices with an assigned individual lock.
• Stored energy, such as that in capacitors, springs, elevated machine members,
hydraulic systems, and air, gas, steam or water pressure, must also be dissipated or
restained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding down.
• After ensuring that no personnel are exposed and as a check on having disconnected
the energy sources, operate the push button or other normal operating controls to
make certain the equipment will not operate. CAUTION: Return operating controls
to neutral position after the test.
• The equipment is now locked out.
d) Lockouts and Tagouts
• OSHA provides a standard procedure for equipment lockout/tagout. OSHA's
procedure is:

1. Prepare for machinery shutdown.

2. Machinery or equipment shutdown.

3. Machinery or equipment isolation.

4. Lockout or tagout application.

5. Release of stored energy.

6. Verification of isolation.

• Equipment must be locked out and tagged out before preventive maintenance or
servicing is performed.
 d) Lockouts and Tagouts
• Warning: Personnel should consult OSHA Standard 29CFRI910.147 for industry
standards on lockout/ tagout.
• A lockout/ tagout shall not be removed by any person other than the person that
installed it, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the lockout/ tagout may be
removed only by authorized personnel. The authorized personnel shall follow approved
procedures. A list of company rules and procedures are given to any person that may use
a lockout /tagout. Always remember:
• Use a lockout and tagout when possible
• Use a tagout when a lockout is impractical. A tagout is used alone only when a lock
does not fit the disconnect device
• Use a multiple lockout when individual employee lockout of equipment is impractical
• Notify all employees affected before using a lockout/ tagout
• Remove all power sources including primary and secondary
• Measure for voltage using a voltmeter to ensure that power is OFF
 Lockout Devices
• Lockout devices are lightweight enclosures that
allow the lockout of standard control devices.
• Lockout devices are available in various shapes
and sizes that allow for the lockout of ball valves,
gate valves, and electrical equipment such as
plugs, disconnects, etc.
• Lockout devices resist chemicals, cracking,
abrasion, and temperature changes.
• They are available in colors to match ANSI pipe
colors.
• Lockout devices are sized to fit standard
industry control device sizes.
• Lockout devices are available in various shapes
and sizes that allow for the lockout of standard
control devices.
e) Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
• Clothing should fit snugly to avoid
danger of becoming entangled in moving
machinery or creating a tripping or
stumbling hazard

• Recommended safe work clothes include:

 Thick-soled work shoes for protection

against sharp objects such as nails.

 Wear work shoes with safety toes if the

job requires. Make sure the soles are oil
resistant if the shoes are subject to oils
and grease.

 Rubber boots for damp locations.

 A hat or cap. Wear an approved safety

helmet (hard hat) if the job requires.
f) Fire Safety
• The chance of fire is greatly decreased by good
housekeeping.
• Keep rags containing oil, gasoline, alcohol, shellac, paint,
varnish, or lacquer in a covered metal container.
• Keep debris in a designated area away from the building.
• Sound an alarm if a fire occurs. Alert all workers on the
job and then call the fire department.
• After calling the fire department, make a reasonable
effort to contain the fire.
g) Fire Extinguishers
• Always read instructions
before using a fire
extinguisher. Always use
the correct fire extinguisher
for the class of fire.
• Fire extinguishers are
normally red. Fire
extinguishers may be
located on a red background
so they can be easily
located. Always use the
correct fire extinguisher for
the class of fire.
h) Hazardous Locations
• The use of electrical equipment in areas where
explosion hazards are present can lead to an
explosion and fire.
• This danger exists in the form of escaped
flammable gases such as naphtha, benzene,
propane, and others. Coal, grain, and other dust
suspended in air can also cause an explosion.
Article 500 of The Electrical Code National
covers hazardous locations.
• Any hazardous location requires the maximum
in safety and adherence to local, state, and
federal guidelines and laws, as well as in-plant
safety rules.
• Hazardous locations are indicated by Class,
Division, and Group.
h) Hazardous Locations
• The Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 emphasise
Standards that must be used in hazardous areas. These
Standards cover how to reduce hazards. The regulations
require that:
 all electrical equipment used in a hazardous zone and all
electrical installations in hazardous areas must comply with
a hazardous area protection technique as outlined in AS/NZS
60079.14:2009 Explosive atmospheres – Electrical
installations design, selection and erection
 initial and in-service inspections of hazardous area
installations must comply with AS/NZS 60079.17:2009
Explosive atmospheres – Electrical installations inspection
and maintenance
 if the owner, occupier, or controller of a property (for example
a coolstore or coalmine) is using materials that create a
hazard, the owner is responsible for establishing hazardous
zones using AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009 Explosive atmospheres
– Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres.