Lighting Accessories.

They include;
 Switches
 Ceiling Rose
 Socket outlet
 Plugs
 Lamp holder
Switches.
A switch is used to make or break an electrical circuit. It is used to switch ‘on’ or ‘off’ the supply
of electricity to an appliance. There are various switches such as

 Surface switch
 Flush switch
 Ceiling switch
 Pull switch
 Push button switch
 Bed switch
Surface switch: It is mounted on wooden boards fixed on the surface of a wall. It is of three types 1.
1. One-way switch
2. Two-way switch
3. Intermediate switch
1. One way switch. It is used to control single circuits and lamp.
The simplest circuit consists of a pair of wires from the mains terminals supplying a lamp. In this
circuit there must be a switch which must be situated in the phase conductor.
Two-way switch: It is used to divert the flow of current to either of two directions. The two-way
switch can also be used to control one lamp from two different places as in the case of staircase
wiring.
A two way lighting circuit is often used on staircases so that one can switch off the downstairs
light from the upstairs, or vice versa. In this circuit, the switches can have two positions, either of
which can light the lamp. Suppose switch A is in the upper position and B is the lower position as
shown below, there is no circuit xo the lamp is off.

If switch B is operated a circuit is established and the lamp lights. Now if the switch A is operated
the lamp goes out. The two wires between switches A and B are called strappers.
Intermediate switch: It is used to control a lamp from more than two locations. This includes;
(i) Flush switch: It used for decorative purpose.
(ii) (ii) Bed switch: As the name indicates, it is used to switch ‘on’ the light from any
place, other than switch board or from near the bed. This switch is connected through
a flexible wire.
When it is required to control the lighting in a long corridor or staircase with several landings, it
is desirable to arrange for lights to be switched on and off at several points. In this case intermediate
switches should be used.
If the two wires between the switches A and B illustrated below, a circuit would be established
and a lamp would light. The intermediate switch carries out thus reversal of strapping wires. Any
number of intermediate switches may be installed.

Holders. They are used in holding bulbs and they are of two types which include; Pendant holder
(shown below), Batten holder.
Ceiling rose. It is used to provide a tapping to the pendant lamp– holder through the flexible wire
or a connection to a fluorescent tube as shown below.

Socket outlet/plug. The socket outlet has an insulated base with the molded or socket base having
three terminal sleeves.

Fuse
A fuse is a part of circuit which consists of conductor which easily melts and breaks the connection
when current exceeds the predetermined value. An electrical fuse is a weakest part of electrical
circuit which breaks when more than predetermined current flows through it.

Fuse wire
The function of fuse is to carry the normal current without excessive heating but more than normal
current when pass through fuse wire, it rapidly heats up and melts. The materials used for fuse
wires are mainly tin, lead, copper, aluminum.
Rated fuse current.
It is the rms value of current which the fuse wire can carry continuously without deterioration and
with temperature rise within specified limits.
Fusing current.
It is the minimum value of current at which the fuse wire melts. The value of fusing current will
be more than rated current. For a round wire the approximate value of fusing current is given
3
by I = kd2 ; where, k=fuse constant, and d=diameter of the wire.
The value of fuse constant k depends on various factors such as; the type of the material used,
cross section area i.e round or rectangle. Length of the wire, enclosure type. Diameter of the wire.
The value of k for different elements is given the table below.

Fusing Factor.
The ratio of fusing current and the current rating of the fuse element is known as fusing factor.
Fusing factor=minimum fusing current/current rating of the fuse wire.
Prospective current
Before melting, the fuse element has to carry the short circuit through it. The prospective current
is defined as the value of current which would flow through the fuse immediately after short circuit
current in the work.
Cut-off current.
The melting of fuse element before the current reaches the prospective peak is called the cuff-off.
The value of current at which the cut off occurs is called the cut-off value.
Pre-arcing Time of fuse.
This is the time taken by a fuse wire to be broken by melting. It is accounted from the instant; the
over current starts to flow through the fuse, to the instant when fuse wire is just broken by melting.
Arcing Time of the fuse.
After breaking of fuse wire there will be an arcing between both melted tips of the wire which will
be extinguish at the current zero. The time accounted from the instant of arc initiated to the instant
of being extinguished is known as arcing time of fuse.
Operating Time of fuse.
The operating time of fuse is the time gap between the instant when the over rated current just
starts to flow through the fuse and the instant when the arc in the fuse finally extinguished.
Operating time of fuse=pre arcing time + arcing time of fuse.
A fuse unit consists of;
 Metal fuse element or link
 Set of contact between which the fuse element is fixed
 Body
There are two categories of fuse in general;
 Low voltage fuse
 High voltage fuse
Low voltage fuse. Low voltage fuse can be further subdivided into two classes namely;
1. Rewirable or semi enclosed type.
2. Cartridge or totally enclosed fuse.
Rewirable or semi enclosed type. It consists of a porcelain the fixed contacts and a porcelain fuse
carrier holding the fuse element. The figure shows kit Kat type of fuse.

The fuse carrier can be taken out or inserted in the base without risk, even without opening the
main switch. The fuse wire can be replaced in the case of damage. It means the fuse base and the
fuse holder need not to change in the case of fuse wire burnt. The fuse wire maybe of lead,
tinned copper, aluminium or alloy of tin-lead. Generally the fusing current is twice the rated
current. When two or more fuses are used, the wires should be kept apart and a derating factor of
0.7 to 0.8 should be employed to arrive at the total fuse rating. The specifications are covered by
IS: 2086-1963. Standard ratings are 6, 16, 32, 63 and 100A. Fuse wire of lower rating can be
used in higher rating fuse base and holder but not vise versa.
Advantages
 Easy removal or replacement of fuse element without any danger.
 Negligible replacement cost
Disadvantages
a) Unreliable operation
 Possibility of replacement with wrong size
 Due to deterioration, the fuse wire may operate at current below rated capacity.
 As the fusing current is about 2 times of rated current the apparatus may get damaged
during fault condition before melting of the fuse wire
 Low accuracy
 Accurate calibration of the fuse wire is impossible as longer fuse operates earlier than one
of shorter length.
 Single phasing may occur in operation of motor when fuses are used in motor circuit.
b) Lack of discrimination
 Due to unreliable operation, discrimination cannot be always ensured
c) Small time lag
 Can blow with large transient currents which are encountered during the starting of motors
and switching on operation of transformers, capacitors etc
d) Low rupturing capacity.
 Rewirable fuses have low rupturing capacity. A fuse of 16A rating have a breaking capacity
of 2kA and those up to 200A have 4kA.
e) Slow speed of operation
Arcing time is high because no special means are there for arc extinction.
f) Risk of flame and fire
Cartridge or totally enclosed type fuses
The fuse element is enclosed in an enclosed container and is provided with metal contacts on both
sides. The fuses are further classified as D type and Link type.
D type Cartridge fuses

This is a fuse comprising a fuse base, adaptor ring, cartridge and a fuse cap. The cartridge is pushed
in the fuse cap and the cap is screwed on the fuse base. The standard ratings are 6, 16, 32 and 63A.
The breaking or rupturing capacity is of the order of 4kAfor 2 and 4A fuses and 16kA for 6 to 63A
fuses.
These types of fuses do not have the draw backs of the Rewirable fuses. These are reliable and
discrimination and coordination are achieved to a reasonable extent.
Link type cartridge fuses or HRC fuses
In that type of fuse, the fuse wire or element can carry short circuit heavy current for a known time
period. During this time if the fault is removed, then it does not blow off otherwise it blows off or
melts.
The enclosure of HRC fuse is either of glass or some other chemical compound. The enclosure is
fully air tight to avoid the effect of atmosphere on the fuse materials. The ceramic enclosure having
metal end cap at both heads to which fusible wire is joined.
The space within the enclosure surrounding the fuse wire or fuse element is completely packed
with a filling powder.
This type of fuse is reliable and has inverse time characteristic that means if the fault current is
high then rupture time is less and if fault current is not so high then rupture time is long. These are
available in different ratings up to 1250A.
Operation of HRC fuse
When over rated current flows through the fuse element of high rupturing capacity, fuse element
is melted and vaporized. The filling powder is of such a quantity that the chemical reaction between
the silver vapor and the filling powder forms high electrical resistance substances which very much
help in quenching arc.
Link type cartridge fuses are divided in two categories; knife blade type and bolted type.
Knife blade type HRC fuse. This kind is easily replaceable in the circuit without any load. For
this purpose, special insulated fuse pullers are used.
Bolted type HRC link fuse. In this type, the conducting plates are bolted to the base of the fuse.
There is also a presence of a switch through which the fuse can be removed without getting an
electrical shock.

Advantage of HRC link fuse.

Simple and easy to install.
No maintenance is required
Consistence in performance.
Disadvantage of HRC link
Time consuming for replacement for each operation.
Interlocking is not possible
It causes overheating of adjacent contacts.
Drop out fuse.
The melting of fuse causes fuse element to drop under gravity about its lower support which creates
visible isolation. Such fuses are employed for protection of outdoor transformer. On blowing off
fuse the complete tube can be lifted from the hinge by means of special insulator rod and brought
down for replacement of fuse element. After replacing the element the tube is placed in the hinge
and the device is closed in away similar to closing isolators.

High voltage HRC fuses.

There are of two types which include;
1. Cartridge type HV HRC fuse. This is similar in general construction to the low voltage type
except that some special design features are incorporated. In some design the element is wound in
the shape of helix to as to avoid corona effect at higher voltages.
 2. Liquid type HV HRC fuse
In the liquid fuse carbon tetra chloride is used for arc extinction. Liquid type HRC fuse consists of
a carbon tetra chloride filled glass tube sealed at both ends with brass caps.
One end of the fuse element is sealed with the cap and the other end is held phosphor bronze
spring fixed at the other end of the tube.
On the occurrence of the fuse element melts and the springs pull it into the carbon tetra chloride
solution thereby extinguishing the arc

Circuit Breaker
Circuit breakers provide a manual means of energizing and de-energizing a circuit and automatic
over current protection. Unlike fuses, which must be replaced when they open, a circuit breaker
can be reset once the over current condition has been corrected.
Pushing the handle to the “OFF” position then back to the “ON” position restores the circuit. If a
circuit reopens upon reset to the “ON” position, the circuit should be checked by a qualified
electrician.

Circuit Breaker Operation

In the following illustration, an AC motor is connected through a circuit breaker to a voltage
source. When the circuit breaker is closed, a complete path for current exists between the voltage
source and the motor allowing the motor to run.
Opening the circuit breaker breaks the path of current flow and the motor stops. The circuit breaker
automatically opens when it senses a fault. After the fault has been cleared, the breaker can be
closed, allowing the motor to operate.
Formation of arc during circuit breaking
During opening of current carrying contacts in a circuit breaker the medium in between opening
contacts become highly ionized through which the interrupting current gets low resistive path and
continues to flow through this path even the contacts are physically separated.
During the flowing of current from one contact to other the path becomes so heated that it glows.
This is called arc.

Arc in Circuit Breaker

Whenever, on load current contacts of circuit breaker open there is an arc in circuit breaker,
established between the separating contacts.
As long as this arc is sustained in between the contacts the current through the circuit breaker will
not be interrupted finally as because arc is itself a conductive path of electricity.
For total interruption of current the circuit breaker it is essential to quench the arc as quick as
possible. The main designing criteria of a circuit breaker is to provide appropriate technology of
arc quenching in circuit breaker to fulfill quick and safe current interruption.