Information Sheet 1.

2-2
Selection of correct Quantities of materials

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, the trainee is expected to:

1. Determine Electrical Materials used in Electrical Installation and

Maintenance
2. Decide on the Correct and accurate Quantities of the respective
Materials
Introduction:

Electrical Materials or Electrical Supplies are essential parts or

elements used in a construction project to connect a home, office or
building to an electrical power source. Electrical parts can vary from a
small house circuit to as big as a large industrial plant.

Some of the Common Electrical Materials used in the Industry:

1. Electrical Conduit is a tube that carries electrical wire for power or

communications. Conduit is made in rigid steel; lighter steel called IMC or
intermediate conduit; EMT or thin wall conduit; PVC or plastic;
aluminum; or PVC coated; which is rigid covered with 40 mil PVC jacket.
Conduit for electrical ranges in sizes from 3/8″ to 6″.

Image lifted from Alison Czinkot of the Balance Website1

2. Electrical Wire is drawn metal, copper or aluminum that carries

electricity through an electrical circuit. Wire may be run overhead,
underground, through conduit or flex or open. Wire is protected by design
with a jacket depending on usage. It can also be flexible as in the use of
extension cords. It can be very small in size as 26 gauge to as large as
2000 MCM.

1
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/seven-types-of-electrical-conduits-844832
 Image lifted from Affordable Cebu Website2

3. Circuit Breakers are devices that automatically interrupt the flow of an

electric current to protect against a short or overload.

Image lifted from The Engineers Post Website 3

4. Electrical Box is an enclosure used for many purposes such as pulling,

connecting or terminated an electrical circuit. Electrical box can be set
screw or indoor; it can be rain tight, or outdoor. They can be made of
steel, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, or cast iron. Requirement can
include corrosive protected or explosion protected by design.

Image lifted from The Spruce Website4

2
https://www.affordablecebu.com/load/technology/list_of_common_types_of_wires_in_the_philippines/7-1-
0-30112
3
https://www.theengineerspost.com/types-of-circuit-breakers/
4
https://www.thespruce.com/electrical-switch-and-junction-boxes-1824666
 Now, In deciding on the correct quantity of materials to be used in a
project, a computation or an estimate must be done to somehow arrive at an
accurate number of materials to be utilized. This is to avoid the wastage of
valuable resources. There are various varieties and types of materials that
can be used, It depends on the type of Project that it will be used upon, This
Electrical materials/parts can vary from a small house circuit to as big as a
large industrial plant.

In determining Wire sizing and MCB capacity an image of an example of

a formula is provided below:

Image lifted from ELCETED Institute for Civil Engineer Website 5

5
https://www.lceted.com/2020/04/wire-sizing-and-mcb-selection-for.html
 Self-Check 1.2-2
Selection of correct Quantities of materials

TRUE OR FALSE:

Read the following statements carefully. Write TRUE if the statement is

correct; FALSE if it is wrong. Write your answer in your notebook.

1. In deciding on the correct quantity of materials to be used

in a project, a computation or an estimate must be done?

2. Electrical Box is an enclosure used for many purposes such

as pulling, connecting or terminated an electrical circuit?

3. Circuit Breakers are devices that automatically interrupt

the flow of an electric current to protect against a short or
overload?
4. Electrical Wire is drawn metal, copper or aluminum that
carries electricity through an electrical circuit?

5. Electrical Conduit is a tube that carries electrical wire for

power or communications?
 Answer Key 1.2-2
Selection of correct Quantities of materials

1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. TRUE
4. TRUE
5. TRUE