Application of Key Aspects of the

Trinidad and Tobago Electrical

Wiring Code: Low Voltage (TTS
171: Part1) to the Low Voltage
Electrical Systems of a Simple
Building
Application of
Standards:
Conduit Factor
 Conduit Factor
E.1 Conduit fill for conductors in conduit

The following is a guide to the maximum number of single core, non-sheathed, general purpose cables
which may be drawn into trade sizes of conduit or tubing based on proper cable alignment of conductors
where the length of the pull and the number of bends are within reasonable limits. In certain special
conditions a lesser percentage fill may be required.

Table E.1
Guide to calculating maximum cable capacities for single-core insulated, non-sheathed
general purpose cables
NOMINAL CROSS
CONDUIT CONDUIT CONDUCTOR
SECTIONAL AREA OF
TRADE SIZE FACTOR FACTOR
CONDUCTOR
mm Inches mm2
16 ½ 171 1.5 21
21 ¾ 300 2.5 30
27 1 486 4.0 39
35 1¼ 841 6.0 50
41 1½ 1145 10 79
52 2 1888 16 110
63 2½ 2693 25 164
78 3 4159 35 207
90 3½ 5562 50 289
102 4 7162 70 385
95 495
120 618
150 755
185 945
240 1202
300 1490
400 1921
500 2344
630 2878
 Conduit Factor
Example Use of Table E.1 is as follows:
The following cables are to be pulled into a single conduit (the conductor factors for the corresponding cable sizes
are given in Table E.1):
4 – 2.5 mm2 - conductor factor 30
4 – 4.0 mm2 - conductor factor 39
2 – 6.0 mm2 - conductor factor 50
The conduit factor is thus calculated as follows:
[(number of conductors)  (conductor factor)]
i.e. 4  30 = 120
4  39 = 156
2  50 = 100
TOTAL = 376
The nearest higher conduit factor to this total is 486. This conduit factor corresponds to a 27mm (1”) conduit,
which will be adequate, for the ten (10) conductors contemplated.
 Application of
Standards:
Load Determination
 Load Determination
• Diversity Factor
– Definition –Clause 3.24
diversity factor (of a group of consumers or loads connected to a common system)
 the ratio of the sum of their maximum simultaneous demand to the sum of the maximum
demands of the loads
– For an electrical system, not all of the loads will be
on at the same time (Simultaneous demand).
– As such, a diversity factor may be utilized that
allows the total designed load of the building to
be less than the total of the maximum loads.
Clause 5.7
A diversity factor may be applied to the selection of the cross-sectional area of the conductors and associated
protective devices, where conditions of operation can be shown to justify it.
 Load Determination
• By utilizing diversity factor, the designer is able
to reduce cost without reducing functionality.
• All references to the NEC will be to the NFPA
70 : 2011 National Electric Code
• The NEC refers to diversity factor as demand
factor
 Load Determination
• Lighting Loads
 Load Determination
• Lighting Loads
– Using the NEC Table 220.42, for the first 3kVA, the
diversity factor is 1
– For the example previously, the Lighting Load will
be
• 1.6 kVA X 1 = 1.6 kVA
 Load Determination
• Receptacle Outlet Loads
– General Purpose

– Based on Clause 220.52 of the NEC, the load is

1500 VA for each 2 wire branch circuit (115 V)
 Load Determination
• Example (Continued)
• Panel Schedule
 Load Determination
• Panel Schedule
Circuit No. Circuit Cable Size Label
Breaker
#9 15A 1.5 mm2 P1 – P2
#10 30A 4.0 mm2 P3
#11 15A 1.5 mm2 P4 – P5
#12 15A 1.5 mm2 P8 – P10
#13 50A 10 mm2 P6
#15
#14 20A 2.5 mm2 P7
#16
 Load Determination
• General Purpose
– From the panel schedule, the circuits supplying
general purpose outlets
– #9, #11, #12
– Total No: 3
– Load = 3 X 1.5 kVA = 4.5 kVA
 Load Determination
• Air Conditioning Load
– Based on Clause 220.82 (C)
 Load Determination
• Air Conditioning Load
– utilize 1 for the Diversity Factor
– In this case, utilize running load amperes of the
equipment - RLA
– FLA (Full load ampere) is used for sizing overcurrent
protection
– For our unit, from the name plate, RLA = 8 A (FLA =
14A)
– Load = 230 X 8 X 1 = 1.84 kVA
 Load Determination
• Shower Heater – Clause 220.51
 Load Determination
• Shower Heater
– For the shower heater, amperage = 20A
– Utilize 1 for heaters.
– Load = 115 X 20 X 1 = 2.3 kVA
 Load Determination
• Electric Cooker / Range
– Based on NEC Clause 220.55,
 Load Determination
• Electric Cooker / Range
– Based on NEC Table 220.55,
 Load Determination
• Electric Cooker / Range
– Wattage of range = 230 X 38 = 8.74 kW
– Wattage less than 8.75 kW
– Therefore, diversity = 0.8
– Load = 230 X 38 X 0.8 = 6.992k VA
– Approximately = 7 kVA
 Load Determination
• Dryer
– Was not demonstrated in this example
– Utilize clause 220.54
–
 Load Determination
• Dryer
– And Table 220.54
 Load Determination
• Total Running Load for building including Diversity =
• Lighting = 1.6 kVA
• General R.O. = 4.5 kVA
• A/C = 1.84 kVA
• Shower Heater = 2.3 kVA
• Electric Range = 7 kVA
• Total = 17.24 kVA
• The Design Load is 125% of the running load for the
system
• Design Load = 17.24 X 1.25 = 21.55 kVA
 Load Determination
• Compare Design Load to Totalling circuit
breakers
• Totalling circuit breakers = (15 X 115) + (15 X
115) + (15 X 115) + (15 X 230) + (15 X 230) +
(15 X 115) + (30 X 115) + (20 X 115) + (15 X
115) + (50 X 230) + (20 X 230) = 37.375 kVA
• With diversity , reduction of 42% and
reduction in cable size and breaker size while
still maintaining needs of client
 Application of
Standards:
Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable
• Based on the calculated load and T&TEC’s
Wiring for Light and Power, the supply for the
building will be as item (b) of clause 3.1
– Single phase, 3 wire, 115/230 V for up to 200A
• The Main Breaker will be
– 21.55 X 1000 / 230 = 93.7 A
– The closest available circuit breaker size is 100 A
Molded Case, Double Pole plug in circuit breaker
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable
• Table D.4D1
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable
• The service entrance cable must be sized to
the Main Circuit Breaker i.e. 100A
• Using a 3 core SWA PVC insulated cable and
Table D.4D1 with the cable clipped direct to
the wall, the cable size is 3 X 25 mmsq
• Please note that for this application, you may
also use a booted XLPE cable
Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
– Since an electrical cable has resistance, power is
lost during transmission. This power loss is seen as
a Voltage Drop
– Based on Clause 8.2, the maximum permissible
voltage drop is 3%
The voltage drop for any particular cable run shall be such that the total voltage drop between the consumers’
terminals and the other end of the circuit does not exceed 3% of the declared nominal voltage when the circuit is
carrying the designed full load current.

– Voltage Drop must be considered for the service

entrance cable. A worked example is given in
Clause D.1.7.3.3
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
• D.1.7.3.2 Voltage Drop
Values of voltage drop are tabulated for a current of
1 amp for a 1 metre run and represent the result of
the voltage drops in all the circuit conductors. For
balanced three-phase ac circuits, the values relate
to the line voltage. For any given run, the values
need to be multiplied by the length of the run (in
metres) and by the current (in amps) that the cables
are to carry.
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
• Problem:
Consider a balanced load of 100 Amps, 230 volts, single-phase, to be
supplied by a 3-core, PVC insulated, steel wire armoured (PVC/SWA)
cable. The length of the cable run from the distribution board to the
load is 35 metres. The cable is to be installed clipped to the surface
(Method 1) and overcurrent protection is provided by a 100 Amp,
240V, 2-pole circuit breaker.
Determine:
a) The minimum size of cable allowed for this installation, and
b) The actual voltage drop using the cable selected.
Assume a maximum ambient temperature of 30 ⁰C, and no other
correction factor is applicable
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
• Solution:
• Let Ib = Load current (A)
• It = Tabulated current carrying
capacity (A)
• IN = Circuit breaker rating (A)
• L = Length of the cable (m)
• MPVD = Maximum permissible voltage
drop (V)
• V.D. = Voltage drop (V)
• mV/A/m = Maximum permissible voltage drop per
ampere per metre (mV/A/m)
• V = Nominal voltage (V)
•
• a) The minimum size of cable selected will have a
tabulated current carrying capacity (It) greater than or equal to the circuit
breaker rating (IN); [i.e. It ≥ 100 A], and mV/A/m value such that the
maximum permissible voltage drop (MPVD) of 3 % is not exceeded; i.e. a
voltage drop of 6.9 V (3 % of 230 V) is not exceeded.
• Select the minimum size of 3-core PVC cable, whose tabulated current
carrying capacity is greater than or equal to 100 Amps, from the
appropriate table (Table D.4D1) and check the value of its mV/A/m from
the corresponding Voltage Drop Table D.4.D2.
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
• Table D.4D1
Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
 Main Breaker and Service Entrance
Cable – Voltage Drop
The minimum size found is 25 mm2 whose It = 102 A, and whose mV/A/m = 1.5

Calculate the voltage drop for this cable using the formula:
mV / A / m  I b  L
V .D. 
1000
Actual voltage drop for 25 mm2:
mV / A / m  I b  L
V .D. 
1000
1.5  93.7  35

1000
 4.9 V

The V. D. is less than the MPVD of 6.9 V, therefore the 25 mm2 cable is acceptable.
Application of
Standards:
Grounding
 Grounding
• Grounding conductor
– Conductor used to connect equipment or the
grounded circuit of a wiring system to grounding
electrode(s)
• Grounding electrode conductor
– Conductor used to connect the grounding
electrode to the grounded conductor of the circuit
at the service equipment or at the source of a
separately derived system
Figure 1 – T&TEC Wiring for Lighting and Power
 Grounding
• Ground – general mass of earth (TTS 171
P1:2015)
• Why we ground:
– Protection against electrical overload
– Stabilises voltage levels
– Prevent damage, injury and death
 Grounding
• Clause 10.1.17 (TTS 171 P1: 2015)
– All wiring installations shall include the consumers’ ground
terminal or the equivalent to which a grounding conductor
shall connect the following:
a) all metal work associated with the wiring
system including cable sheaths, armour, conduit,
ducts, and boxes;
b) exposed metallic parts of apparatus;
c) ground terminals of receptacle outlets;
d) one point of the secondary winding and of the
metallic parts of any transformer used in the
installation, except where the transformer is
contained within an apparatus.
 Bonding
• Bonded – connected electrically to ensure
common potential (TTS 171 P1: 2015)
• Grounded – connected to ground or to some
conducting body that serves in place of
ground (TTS 171 P1: 2015)
• Two equipment may be bonded to each other
but not necessarily grounded.
• Two equipment may be grounded and as such
are bonded to each other.
 Bonding
• Clause 10.1.1 (TTS 171 P1: 2015)
– All exposed non-current-carrying conductive
materials shall be grounded under the following
conditions:
• a) if it is likely to become energised under fault
conditions; and
• b) if it encloses electrical conductors or equipment or
forms part of such equipment.
 Bonding
• Clause 10.1.2 (TTS 171 P1: 2015)
– Extraneous conductive parts shall be bonded to
the grounding conductor or the exposed non-
current-carrying conductive parts.
• EXAMPLE 1 A steel member bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor or the exposed non-current-
carrying conductive material (frame of the motor).
• EXAMPLE 2 A kitchen sink bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor.
• EXAMPLE 3 Grounding of a steel building structure –
see Figure F.1 in Annex F.
 Grounding
• Sizing of conductor – Clause 10.1.7

– 10.1.7.1 Size of grounding conductor

– 10.1.7.1 The cross sectional area of every grounding electrode

conductor shall be equal to at least half the cross sectional area of the
current carrying conductor subject to a minimum of 10 mm2 and a
maximum of 70 mm2.
– 10.1.7.2 The cross sectional area of every equipment grounding
conductor shall be equal to at least half the cross sectional area of the
current carrying conductor subject to a minimum of 2.5 mm2 and a
maximum of 70 mm2.
– 10.1.7.3 Conductors with green or green with yellow stripes
insulation shall not be re-identified and used as a grounded or
ungrounded conductor. Conductors with green or green with yellow
stripes insulation shall only be used for grounding conductors.
 Grounding
• Sizing of conductor –
• For equipment grounding conductor – min
size = 2.5 mmsq
• For our system, min size of ground electrode
conductor = ½ size of 25 mm sq = 12.5 mm sq
• There is no 12.5 mm sq, so next size = 16 mm
sq
 Application of
Standards:
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Specification document details the
specification of the equipment you are
installing
• Bill of quantities details the quantity of items
you are installing
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Sample Specification for the Electrical Panel
used in the example
i) The panel shall be enclosed in a NEMA Type 1, indoor, wall
mounted, galvanized steel enclosure with a light grey finish
ii) The panel shall have a minimum busbar rating of 150A,
115/230V, single Phase
iii) The panel shall accommodate a minimum of 16 circuits for full
size breakers
iv) The panel shall contain a main breaker (mounted in panel) of
size 100A, 115/230V, single phase, with a minimum
interrupting rating R.M.S. Symmetrical Ampere of 10 KA.
The panel shall contain single opening lugs in breaker to
accommodate 1x25 mm sq PVC cable. The main breaker shall
be vertically mounted and located to the top of the panel
v) The panel’s breakers shall be U.L. listed.
vi) All sub-breakers shall be moulded-case circuit breakers with a
minimum interrupting rating R.M.S. Symmetrical Ampere of
10 KA.
vii) Breakers shall be manually operative and trip-free. The breaker
shall open on short circuits, have time delays on overloads and
have effective sealing against tampering.
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Some items to consider when specifying your
equipment
• It is a good idea not to specify a particular brand
or manufacturer unless the item is an industry
standard or is for a particular purpose
– Electrical cable
• Type of insulation, size of cable, number of cores of cable,
amoured or not, standards that the cable must meet
– Light fixture
• Mounting of fixture, type of fixture, lamp details such as CRI,
wattage, lumens etc., operating voltage, outdoor/indoor,
standards
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
– Receptacle outlets
• Type of outlet (NEMA type or other), voltage, max
amperage, mounting, indoor/outdoor, standards,
special protection (e.g. GFCI etc)
– Switches
• Type of switch (Pilot light etc), voltage, max amperage,
mounting, indoor/outdoor, standards, any other
feature required
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Lighting Layout
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Receptacle Outlet Layout
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Part of the Sample BOQ
Specifications and Bill of Quantities
• Some items to consider when creating your
bill of quantities
– “Item” should be summary of the particular item
as the specification document would elaborate
– Should indicate installation method where needed
e.g. cable to be installed underground or
otherwise
– In cases where an exact measurement may be
unavailable, other methods may be used to
develop quantities e.g. rolls for S/S cable
END