BLDUTL2 – BUILDING UTILITIES 2
ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS AND MECHANICAL
SYSTEMS
Fundamentals of Electrical Systems in Buildings
Electricity is the most prevalent form of energy in a modern building. It not
only supplies electric outlets and electric lighting, but also provides the motive
power for HVAC equipment, traction power for elevators and material
transport, and power for all signal and communications equipment. An electric
power failure can paralyze a facility. A properly designed facility can quickly
return to partial operation by virtue of emergency equipment that can furnish
part of the facility’s electricity needs for a limited time.
Glossary of Electrical Terms
Admittance – the reciprocal of impedance.
Air Blast Transformer – a transformer cooled by forced circulation of air
through its core and coils.
Air Circuit Breaker – a circuit breaker in which the interruption occurs in air.
Air Switch – a switch in which the interruption of the circuit occurs in air.
Alternating Current – a periodic current, the average value of which over a
period is zero.
Alternator (Synchronous Generator) – a synchronous alternating-current
machine that changes mechanical power into electrical power.
Ambient Temperature – the temperature of air that surrounds an object on all
sides.
Ammeter – an instrument for measuring electric current.
Ampacity – the current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously
under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.
Ampere – a charge flow of one coulomb per second.
Appliance – current-consuming equipment, fixed or portable, such as heating
or motor-operated equipment.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
Appliance Branch Circuit – a branch circuit that supplies energy top one or
more outlets to which appliances are to be connected, and that has no
permanently connected lighting fixtures that are not a part of an appliance.
Armored Cable – a cable provided with a wrapping of metal, usually steel
wires, primarily for the purpose of mechanical protection.
Askarel – a synthetic non-flammable insulating liquid which, when
decomposed by electric arc, evolves only non-flammable gaseous mixture.
Askarel Transformer – a type of transformer which uses synthetic electrical
insulating liquid which when decomposed by electric arc generates only non-
explosive gases or gaseous mixture.
Automatic Transfer Equipment – a device used to transfer load from one
power source to another.
Autotransformer – a transformer in which part of the winding is common to
both the primary and secondary circuits.
Auxiliary – a device or equipment which aids the main device or equipment.
Auxiliary Gutter – a sheet metal enclosure for conductors, cables, and busbars
at switchboards, meter centers, distribution centers, and similar points.
Ballast – a device used with fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps to
provide the necessary circuit condition for starting and operating the lamp.
Branch Circuit – the circuit conductors between the final over-current device
protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
Branch Conductor – a conductor that branches off at an angle from a continues
run of conductor.
Buna – a synthetic rubber insulation.
Bus – a conductor or group ofc conductors that serves as a common connection
for three or more circuits in a switchgear assembly.
Busbar – a metallic bar used to provide common contact or termination for a
group of all wires or cabinets such as in an auxiliary gutter, panelboard or a
switchboard assembly.
Cable Sheath – the protective covering, such as lead or plastic, applied over a
cable.
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Circuit Breaker – a device designed to open and close a circuit by
nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined
overcurrent without damage to itself when properly applied within its rating.
Circuit Homerun – in a wiring diagram, an arrow having circuit number
designating the point at which such branch circuit will be connected.
Electric Circuit – a conducting path through which electric charges may flow.
A DC circuit is a closed path for a charge flow; an AC circuit is not necessarily
closed and may conduct in part by means of an electric field.
Circular Mill – a unit for measuring the cross-sectional area of a conductor
(used in MCM conductors); wires and cables are presently measured by its
diameter (mm) or cross-sectional area (sq.mm).
Conductance – a measure of permissiveness to charge flow; the reciprocal of
resistance.
Conductor – a substance that has free electrons or other charge carriers which
permit charge flow when an emf (electromotive force) is applied across the
substance.
Bare Conductor – a conductor having no covering or electrical
insulation whatsoever.
Covered Conductor – a conductor encased within material of
composition or thickness that is not recognized by code as electrical
insulation.
Insulated Conductor – a conductor encased within material of
composition and thickness that recognized by the code.
Conduit – a structure containing one or more ducts; commonly formed from
iron pipe or other tubing.
Conductivity – a measure of the ability of a material or substance to conduct
electric current, equal to the reciprocal of the resistivity of the substance.
Conduit Fittings – accessories used to complete a conduit system, such as
boxes, bushings and access fitting.
Condulet – a device installed at intermediate points usually at turns to facilitate
easy pull through of wires and provide junction of wires for splicing; usually
provided with an access cover.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
Convenience Outlet – an outlet which receives the plug of electrical appliances
such as lamps, refrigerator, etc.
Copper-clad Aluminum Conductor – conductors drawn from a copper-clad
aluminum rod with the copper metallurgically bonded to an aluminum core.
The copper forms ten (10) percent of the cross-sectional area of a solid
conductor or each strand of a stranded conductor.
Coulomb – an electric charge of 6.28 x 1018 electrons. One coulomb is
transferred when a current of 1 ampere continues past a point for 1 second.
Current – the rate of charge flow. A current of 1 ampere is equal to a flow rate
of 1 coulomb per second.
Cutout Box – an enclosure designed for surface mounting that has swinging
doors secured directly to and telescoping with walls of the box proper.
Demand Factor – the ratio of maximum demand of a system or part of a
system, to the total connected load of a system or part of the system under
consideration.
Device – a unit of electrical system that is intended to carry but not utilize
electric energy.
Direct Current – a unidirectional current with a constant value.
Disconnecting Means – a device, or group of devices, or other means by which
the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply.
Distribution Center – a point at which energy is divided among feeders or
branch or combination of both, and where overcurrent devices are usually
located.
Electric Circuit – a conducting path through which electric charges may flow.
A DC circuit is closed path for a charge flow; an AC circuit is not necessarily
closed and may conduct in part by means of an electric field.
Electric Motor – a device for converting electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
Electrical System – the entire system of conductors, equipment and devices
that are interconnected to sources of potential difference for distribution and/or
utilization of electrical energy.
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Electrical Units – in practical system, electrical units comprise the volt, the
ampere, the ohm, the watt, the watt-hour, the coulomb, the henry, the farad, and
the joule.
Electrical Surge – a transient wave of current, potential or power in the electric
circuit.
Electricity – a physical entity associated with the atomic structure of mater that
occurs in polar forms (positive and negative) and that are separable by
expenditure of energy.
Electromagnetic Induction – a process of emf (electromotive force)
generation induced by movement of magnetic flux which cuts an electrical
conductor; used in generators to produce current.
Electromotive Force (EMF) – an energy charge relation that results in electric
pressure, which produces or tends to produce a change of flow.
Electrostatics – a branch of electrical science dealing with the laws of
electricity at rest.
Emergency Light – a temporary source of light provided by a lamp powered
by storage battery within the unit.
Farad – a unit of capacitance defined by the production of one volt across the
capacitor terminals when a charge of one coulomb is stored.
Feeder – all circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of a
separately derived system, or other power supply source and the final branch-
circuit overcurrent device.
Flashover – a disruptive electrical discharge around or over (but not through)
an insulator.
Flexible Conduit – non-rigid metal conduit into which conductors may be
drawn.
Frequency – the number of periods occurring in unit time of a periodic process
such as in the flow of electric charge.
Fuse – a protective device with a fusible element that opens the circuit by
melting when subjected to excessive current.
Galvanometer – an instrument for indicating or measuring comparatively
small currents. A galvanometer has zero-center indication.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
General Purpose Branch Circuit – a branch circuit that supplies a number of
outlets for lighting and appliances.
Generator – a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
utilizing electromagnetic induction principle.
AC Generator also known as Alternator – a generator that produces
alternating current.
DC Generator – a generator that produces direct current.
Greenfield – flexible metal conduit which resembles an armored cable in
appearance but is more adaptable than armored cable because of its various
sizes and number of wires that can be pulled through it.
Ground – a conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between
an electric circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that
serves in place of the earth.
Grounded Circuit – a circuit in which one conductor or point (usually the
neutral conductor or neutral point of transformer or generator winding) is
intentionally grounded, either solidly or through a grounding device.
Grounded Conductor – a system or circuit conductor that is intentionally
grounded.
Grounding Conductor – a conductor used to connect equipment or the
grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.
Grounding Electrode Conductor – the conductor used to connect the
grounding electrode to the equipment grounding conductor, to the grounded
conductor, or to both, of the circuit at the service equipment or at the source of
a separately derived system.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – a device installed in circuits
where current leakage can be especially dangerous, such as outdoor or
bathroom circuits. Shuts off current flow within 0.025 second at the onset of
leak as small as 5 milliamperes.
Henry – a unit of inductance; it permits current increase at the rate of 1 ampere
per second when 1 volt is applied across the inductor terminals.
Hysteresis – the magnetic property of a substance which results from residual
magnetism.
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Impedance – opposition to AC current by a combination of resistance and
reactance; impedance is measured in ohms.
Individual Branch Circuit – a branch circuit that supplies only one utilization
equipment.
Insulated – separated from other conducting surfaces by dielectric permanently
offering high resistance to the passage of current and to disruptive discharge.
Insulator – a material or substance that does not allow the flow of electricity
through it.
Interrupting Rating – the highest current rating at rated voltage that a device
is intended to interrupt under standard test conditions.
Inverter – a device that converts direct current (dc) to alternating current (ac).
Isolated Switch – a switch intended for isolating an electrical circuit from the
source of power.
Jumper – a short length of conductor used to make a connection between
terminals or around a break in a circuit, or around an instrument. It is usually a
temporary connection.
Junction Box – a box with a blank cover which serves the purpose of joining
different runs of raceway or cable and provided with sufficient space for
connection and branching of the enclosed conductors.
Knife Switch – a switch in which a circuit is closed by a moving blade engaging
contact clips.
Lighting Outlet – an outlet used for direct connection of a lamp holder, lighting
fixture, or a cord that supplies a lamp holder.
Lightning Arrestor – a device for providing path by which lightning
disturbances or other static discharges are passed to earth; this is primarily
intended to prevent damage to electrical apparatus due to lightning.
Location:
Damp Location – partially protected locations under canopies,
marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations
subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some
barns, and some cold storage warehouse.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
Dry Location – a location not normally subject to dampness or wetness.
A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness of
wellness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Wet Location – installations underground or in concrete slabs or
masonry in direct contact with earth, and locations subject to saturation
with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas and locations
exposed to weather and unprotected.
Lug – copper or brass fitting to which electrical wires can be soldered or
otherwise connected.
Maximum Demand – maximum demand of an installation or system is the
largest of all the demands which have occurred during the specified period.
Metal-clad – a component so constructed that the conducting parts are entirely
enclosed in metal casing or enclosure.
Meter Center – a point or place where all meters in a building may be located;
usually located in the service area of a building for convenience and easy
access.
Moisture-Resistant – a device, equipment or conductor so constructed or
treated that exposure to moist atmosphere will not readily cause injury or
harmful effect in its quality.
Mho – the unit of conductance defined as the reciprocal of ohm.
Motor – a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, as an
induction motor.
Ohm – the unit of resistance; a resistance of one ohm sustains a current of 1
ampere when 1 volt is applied across the resistance.
Ohmmeter – an instrument for measuring resistance values.
Ohm’s Law – a law stating that current is directly proportional to resistance,
reactance or impedance.
Outlet – a point in a wiring system from which current is taken for supply of
fixtures, lamps, heaters, etc.
Overcurrent – any current in excess of the rated current of the equipment or
the ampacity of the conductor. It may result from overload, short circuit, or
ground fault.
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Overload – operation of equipment in excess of normal, full loading rating, or
of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, when it persists for a sufficient
length of time, would cause damage or dangerous overheating. A fault, such as
short circuit or ground fault, is not an overload.
Panelboard – a single or group of panel units designed for assembly in the
form of a single panel; including buses, automatic overcurrent devices, and
equipped with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or power
circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout box placed in or against a
wall or partition and accessible only from the front.
Plug – a device inserted into a receptacle for connection of a cord to the
conductor terminations in the receptacle.
Potential Difference – a potential difference of 1 volt is produced when 1 unit
of work is done in separating unit charges through unit distance.
Power – the rate of doing work, or rate of converting energy when 1 volt is
applied to a load and the current demand is 1 ampere, the rate of energy
conversion (power) is 1 watt.
Power Outlet – an enclosed assembly that may include receptacles, circuit
breakers, fuse holders, fused switches, buses and watt-hour meter mounting
means.
Pull Box – a metal or plastic box with a blank cover for insertion into a conduit
run, raceway, or metallic tubing, which facilitates the drawing of conductors.
Raceway – a channel for holding wires or cables; constructed from metal,
wood, plastics, rigid metal, electrical metal tubing, cast-in-place, underfloor,
surface metal, surface wooden types, wireways, busways, and auxiliary gutters.
Rainproof – constructed, protected or treated so as to prevent rain from
interfering with the successful operation of the apparatus under specified test
conditions.
Raintight – constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not
result in the entrance of water under specified test conditions.
Rated Voltage – the rated voltage of equipment is the voltage to which
operating, and performance characteristics are referred.
Receptacle – a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an
attachment plug.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
Receptacle Outlet – an outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.
Rectifier – a device that has a high resistance in one direction and a low
resistance in the other direction.
Resistance – a physical property that opposes current and dissipates real power
in the form of heat. Resistance is measured in ohms.
Resistor – a device designated to introduce resistance into an electric circuit.
Series Circuit – a circuit that provides a complete path for current and has its
components end-to-end.
Service Cable – service conductors made up in the form of a cable.
Service Conductors – the conductors from the service point to service
disconnecting means.
Service Drop – the overhead service conductors from the last pole or other
aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to the service-
entrance conductors at the building or other structures.
Overhead System Service Entrance Conductors – the service conductors
between the terminals of the service equipment and a point usually outside the
building, clear of building walls, where joined by tap or splice to the service
drop.
Underground System Service Entrance Conductors – the service conductors
between the terminals of the service equipment and the point of connection to
the service lateral.
Service Equipment – the necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit
breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and their accessories connected to the load
end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise
designated area and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of the
supply.
Service Lateral – the underground service conductors between the street main,
including any risers at a pole or other structure or from the transformers, and
the first point of connection to the service entrance conductors in a terminal box
or meter other enclosure, inside or outside the building wall.
Service Point – the point of connection between facilities of the serving utility
and the premises wiring.
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Service Raceways – the raceways that encloses the service-entrance
conductors.
Setting – the value of the current at which the circuit breaker is set to trip.
Solderless Connector – a mechanical device that does not employ soldering
process as a means of connecting wires and cables rather a mechanical coupling
or connector is used.
Standby Generator – a generator for providing emergency power during
power outage; sometimes called Emergency Generator.
Surge Arrester – a protective device for limiting surge voltage on equipment
discharging or bypassing surge current; it prevents continuous flow of follow
current to ground and can repeat these functions as specified.
Switch – a device for making, breaking, or rearranging the connections of an
electric circuit.
Switch Bank – in switch installation, a place or a point in a building where
group of switches used to control group of lamps may be located.
Switchboard – a large single panel, frame or assembly of panels on which are
mounted, on the face or back or both, switches, overcurrent and other protective
devices, buses, usually instruments.
Switchgear – a general term which covers switching and interrupting devices
or apparatus.
Transfer Switch – a device for transferring one or more load-conductor
connections from one power source to another.
Transformer – a static device consisting of windings, with or without taps,
with or without magnetic core, used for introducing mutual coupling by
induction between circuits.
Step-up Transformer – a type of transformer used for increasing
voltage, e.g. 110v. to 220v.
Step-down Transformer – a type of transformer used for decreasing
voltage, e.g. 220v. to 110v.
Transformer Vault – a fire-rated room containing a transformer and auxiliary
equipment for a large building, usually located on grade or below ground and
ventilated directly to the outside air.
Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical Systems
Prepared by: Ar. Hilbert C. Mangonon, UAP
Transmission Loss – the drop-in voltage due to transmission of electricity in
wires which is attributed to several factors such as resistance and length of
conductor and temperature.
Tripping – a term denoting interruption or disconnection of contact in devices
such as circuit breaker, ground fault circuit interrupter and other similar devices.
Underground Cable – a cable designed, constructed and specified for use
below grade application.
Uninterrupted Power Supply – an emergency system designed to provide power
automatically and instantaneously upon failure of the normal power supply.
Utilization Equipment – equipment that uses electric energy for mechanical,
chemical, heating, lighting, etc.
Utility Box – a metallic or non-metallic box intended for receptacle outlet or
switch plate installation.
Volt – the unit of emf (electromotive force); 1 volt produces a current of 1
ampere in a resistance of 1 ohm.
Voltage Drop – the voltage-drop around a circuit including wiring and loads.
Watertight – constructed so that moisture will not enter the enclosure under
specified test conditions.
Watt – the unit of electrical power, equal to the product of 1 volt and 1 ampere
in DC values, or in rms AC values.
Weatherproof – constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will
not interfere with successful operation.
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