BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

YEAR: I
PART: II

Compiled by:
Er. Shiva Kafley
 2 COURSE CONTENT

1. Building sciences 7. Temporary Construction

2. Foundations and Basements 8. Cladding and External Finishing
3. Roofs 9. Internal Finishing
4. Staircases 10. Electrical Services

5. Doors and Windows 11. Water Supply and Drainage Services

6. Joints 12. Others Miscellaneous Services in

Building
 CHAPTER : 10
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

1. Residential and commercial requirements

2. General principles

3. Wiring systems

4. Trunkings, busbars and ducts for electrical distribution

5. Safety precautions
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In Nepal, electricity is generated in generating stations as alternating current at 50 cycles per second. It is
transmitted to the high voltage national grids by 132 KV high voltage lines to reduce the transmission losses. This
electricity is stepped down at electric substations to 11 KV, 3 phase, 50hz, which is considered economical for local
transmission. This supply voltage is further reduced to 230 volts between phase and neutral and 400 volts between
phases. The supply agency (NEA) is responsible for the cables upto and including the electric meter. A system of
fuse of 5, 15, 30, 100 amp capacity is installed between the supply inlet and the electric meter board by the supply
agency to isolate the main supply from the building. From the fuses, the wires are led to the meter and from there, to
the consumer unit, from where, the electricity is distributed to the various parts of the building. The owner of the
building is responsible for the wiring from the meter to the distribution board and the other parts of the building.
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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENTS

➢ Electricity is a current that flows continually, much like a raging river. It’s always there,
it’s up to the system within a home or building to control how it is delivered. And as we
all know, too much can be dangerous, even deadly.
➢ An electrical panel controls the flow of the electricity to ensure that the system is
neither overloaded nor underpowered. Different buildings need different electrical
loads; residential and commercial properties are not all the same. There are key
differences between the two.
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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Wiring Type
➢ In a residential home, thin, narrow wiring is encased in a plastic sheathing. This
sheathing is used to protect both the wires and the surrounding areas because it’s usually
more exposed to both people and the environment. It’s built into open spaces – your
attic, your basement – where anyone has access to it.
➢ In a commercial location, wiring is contained in tube-like conduits or in ceiling rafters
for protection and ease of use. Because commercial locations change more often, the
wiring is usually in areas where it is accessible to service.
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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Power
➢ Residential and commercial buildings also require different loads of
electricity. Residential buildings use single phase power, which consists of
power delivered in 240 volts.
➢ In commercial applications, the wiring normally uses a three-phase design.
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL WIRING

➢ Height of switch board must be 1.3m to 1.75m from floor level.
➢ Height of distribution board must be 1.5m to 1.75m from floor level.
➢ The bottom of ceiling fan should have minimum clearance of 2.75m.
➢ All lamp should be filled with a minimum clearance of 2.75m above floor level.
➢ Load should be equally shared.
➢ In any building light wiring and power wiring should be kept separate.
➢ Power per circuit may take it as 800w or 1000w.
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL WIRING

➢ Weatherproof wire for service connection with sufficient current carrying capacity.
➢ All conductor/wire should be sage in all term of voltage rating with proper insulation.
➢ Ever line or phase should be protected by suitable ratings fuse.
➢ Each load point an appliances should be a independent control switch.
➢ In any light/fan and the number of load points connected in one sub circuit should be
less than 10(ten).
➢ In the bathrooms the 3 pin socket should be at a height of not less than 1.5 m.
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WIRING SYSTEMS
➢House wiring consists of an electrical wiring system that distributes energy to be
used in equipment and appliances around the house.

➢Electrical Wiring is a process of connecting cables and wires to the related devices
such as fuse, switches, sockets, lights, fans etc to the main distribution board is a
specific structure to the utility pole for continues power supply.

➢It also involves the proper installation and operation of the electrical outlets,
switches, breakers, meter base and different electrical circuits.
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WIRING SYSTEMS

➢Wiring is done for light, fan, heater-cooler, air-conditioner and obtaining

electrical supply for use of domestic appliances.

➢The most important requirement for any electrical wiring system is safety.
Before attempting to wire your house, you must have a solid understanding of
the regulations and safety standards to prevent mistakes that might cause
shocks, injuries, damage or fire.
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WIRING SYSTEMS
The type of the wiring system depends upon the following factors:-
1. Durability:-The type of wiring selected for a premises should be durable.
2. Appearance:-The appearance of the wiring should be such that it should not spoil the
beauty of premises.
3. Cost:-It is most important factor deciding the type of wiring system to be used.
4. Safety:-This is also a most important factor deciding type of wiring to be provided.
5. Accessibility:-The type of wiring selected should be such that the extension or
renewal of wiring should be possible.
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TYPES OF WIRING
➢ There is wide choice of wiring; however one must keep in mind the safety of
men & material. The various types of wiring used are:
1. Cleat wiring
2. Casing capping
3. Batten (C.T.S or T.R.S) wiring system
4. Metal sheathed wiring system
5. Conduit wiring system
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TYPES OF WIRING
1. Cleat wiring:
In this system of wiring, V.I.R or PVC Insulated wires are held to the walls and
ceiling by means of porcelain cleats which are fixed at distance of 0.5 m horizontally
and 0.75 m vertically above the walls The cleat are made on two halves, one is known
as base and the other is known as cap. The wirings are drawn in groves and finally
tightened. This wiring is cheapest and require little skill and can be quickly installed.
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TYPES OF WIRING
1. Cleat wiring:
Advantages:
• Easy installation
• Materials can be retrieved for reuse
• Flexibility provided for inspection, modifications and expansion.
• Relatively economical
• Skilled manpower not required.
Disadvantages:
• Appearance is not good
• Open system of wiring requiring regular cleaning
• Higher risk of mechanical injury.
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TYPES OF WIRING
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TYPES OF WIRING
2. Casing capping

➢ It consists of insulated conductors laid inside rectangular,

teakwood or PVC boxes having grooves inside it.
➢ A rectangular strip of wood called capping having same
width as that of casing is fixed over it. Both the casing
and the capping are screwed together at every 15 cm.
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TYPES OF WIRING
2. Casing capping
Advantages:
• Cheaper than lead sheathed and conduit wiring.
• Provides good isolation as the conductors are placed apart reducing the risk of short circuit.
• Easily accessible for inspection and repairs.
• Since the wires are not exposed to atmosphere, insulation is less affected by dust, dirt and
climatic variations.
Disadvantages:
• Highly inflammable.
• Usage of unseasoned wood gets damaged by termites.
• Skilled workmanship required.
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TYPES OF WIRING
3. Batten (CTS or TRS) wiring system
➢ In this wiring system, wires sheathed in tough rubber are
used which are quite flexible.
➢ Cab Tyre Sheathed (C.T.S) wire or Tough Rubber Sheathed
(T.R.S) wire is normally used as conductor for this wiring.
➢ They are clipped on wooden battens with brass clips (link
or joint) and fixed on to the walls or ceilings by flat head
screws. These cables are moisture and chemical proof.
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TYPES OF WIRING
3. Batten (CTS or TRS) wiring system
Advantages:
• Easy installation and is durable
• Lower risk of short circuit.
• Cheaper than casing and capping system of wiring
• Gives a good appearance if properly erected.
Disadvantages:
• Danger of mechanical injury.
• Danger of fire hazard.
• Should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Skilled workmen are required.
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TYPES OF WIRING
4. Metal sheathed wiring system
➢ The wiring is similar to that of CTS but the
conductors (two or three) are individually
insulated and covered with a common outer lead-
aluminum alloy sheath. The sheath protects the
cable against dampness, atmospheric extremities
and mechanical damages.
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TYPES OF WIRING
4. Metal sheathed wiring system
Advantages:
• Easy installation and is aesthetic in appearance
• Highly durable
• Suitable in adverse climatic conditions provided the joints are not exposed
Disadvantages:
• Requires skilled labor
• Very expensive
• Unsuitable for chemical industries
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TYPES OF WIRING
5. Conduit wiring system
➢ An electrical conduit is a tube used to protect and route electrical wiring in a building or
nonbuilding structure. Electrical conduit may be made of metal, plastic, fiber, or fired clay.
➢ In this system PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or VIR cables are run through metallic or PVC
pipes providing good protection against mechanical injury and fire due to short circuit.
➢ There are two additional types of conduit wiring according to pipe installation
❖ Surface Conduit Wiring
❖ Concealed Conduit Wiring
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TYPES OF WIRING
5. Conduit wiring system
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TYPES OF WIRING
5. Conduit wiring system
Advantages
• No risk of fire and good protection against mechanical injury.
• The lead and return wires can be carried in the same tube.
• Earthing and continuity is assured.
• Waterproof and trouble shooting is easy.
• Shock- proof with proper earthing and bonding
Disadvantages
• Very expensive system of wiring.
• Requires good skilled workmanship.
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TRUNKINGS, BUSBARS AND DUCTS FOR ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Electrical trunking systems are used to carry a compound current where various
electrical cables come together. Such systems normally consist of a rigid piece of copper,
typically flat strips or hollow bars. Although copper is the preferred material for trunking
systems, aluminium is occasionally used because of its cheaper initial purchase price,
despite significant disadvantages.
• The cross-section of a copper trunking system is determined by the maximum current
that it must be able to carry safely. It can be as little as 10 mm2 or as large as 2,000 mm2.
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Busbar trunking power transmission (on photo: Power substation in

government office building, Italy; credit: graziadio.it)
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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

TRUNKINGS, BUSBARS AND DUCTS FOR ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Trunking systems are used in various applications. A busbar trunking system is

used inside electrical apparatus, inside switchgear or at a power company
switching yard. Busways or busducts are used to bring the main power feed into
a building or to make connections to large switchgear. A plug-in bus is used to
distribute power over the entire length or height of an industrial building.
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TRUNKINGS, BUSBARS AND DUCTS FOR ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

• Connections to trunking systems are generally bolted, welded or clamped.

• Trunking systems are intended to carry high currents; therefore, their electrical
conductivity is a key parameter. Constructing a busbar or busway out of highly
conductive copper brings about advantages at several levels.
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SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS

➢Avoid water at all times when working with electricity. Never touch or try repairing any electrical
equipment or circuits with wet hands. It increases the conductivity of the electric current.

➢Never use equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation or broken plugs.

➢If you are working on any receptacle at your home then always turn off the mains. It is also a good
idea to put up a sign on the service panel so that nobody turns the main switch ON by accident.

➢Always use insulated tools while working.

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SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS

➢ Always use appropriate insulated rubber gloves and goggles while working on any branch circuit or any
other electrical circuit.

➢ Never try repairing energized equipment. Always check that it is de-energized first by using a tester.
When an electric tester touches a live or hot wire, the bulb inside the tester lights up showing that an
electrical current is flowing through the respective wire.

➢ Never use an aluminium or steel ladder if you are working on any receptacle at height in your home. An
electrical surge will ground you and the whole electric current will pass through your body. Use a
bamboo, wooden or a fiberglass ladder instead.
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SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS

➢Always use a circuit breaker or fuse with the appropriate current rating

➢Working outside with underground cabling can be dangerous. The damp soil around the cable is a
good conductor of electricity and ground faults are quite common in the case of underground cabling.

➢Always put a cap on the hot/live wire while working on an electric board or service panel as you
could end up short circuiting the bare ends of the live wire with the neutral.

➢Take care while removing a capacitor from a circuit. A capacitor stores energy and if it’s not properly
discharged when removed it can easily cause an electric shock.
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EARTHING SYSTEM
➢ In electricity supply systems, an earthing system or grounding system is circuitry
which connects parts of the electric circuit with the ground, thus defining the electric
potential of the conductors relative to the Earth's conductive surface.
➢ Regulations for earthing system vary considerably among countries and among
different parts of electric systems.
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EARTHING SYSTEM

➢ People use an earthing system mainly for these applications:

a. To protect a structure from lightning strike, directing the
lightning through the earthing system and into the ground
rod rather than passing through the structure.
b. Part of the safety system of mains electricity, preventing
problems associated with floating ground and sky voltage.
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Thank You