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Engineering Utilities Notes

BS Civil Engineering (Batangas State University)

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LESSON 1
The following is a list of many of the terms one would
encounter in the study of electrical system design.
AMPACITY – the current, in amperes, that a conductor
can carry continuously under the conditions of uses
without exceeding its temperature rating
BONDING (Bonded) – The permanent joining of
metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path that
will ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to
conduct safely any current likely to be imposed.
BRANCH CIRCUIT – the circuit conductors between the
final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the
outlet (s).
BUS – a conductor, a group of conductors, in switchgear
assembles which serves as a common connection for two
or more circuits
CIRCUIT BREAKER – a device designed to open and
close a circuit by non-automatic means and to open the
circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent
without damage to itself when properly applied within its
rating
CONCEALED – Rendered inaccessible by the structure
or finish of the building. Wires in concealed raceways are
considered concealed, even though they may become
accessible by withdrawing them.
CONDUCTOR – an object or type of material that can
carry electricity along its length
o Bare - A conductor having no covering or electrical
insulation whatsoever.
o Insulated – a conductor encased within a material
of composition and thickness that is recognized by
this Code as electrical insulation
* Silver, Gold, Copper, Aluminum
CONTINUOUS LOAD – a load where the maximum
current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more
CUTOUT BOX – an enclosure designed for surface
mounting that has swinging doors or covers secured
directly to and telescoping with the walls of the box proper
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
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DWELLING
o Dwelling Unit - One or more rooms for the use of
one or more persons as a housekeeping unit with
space for eating, living, and sleeping, and
permanent provisions for cooking and sanitation.
o One-Family Dwelling – a building that contain
solely of one dwelling unit
o Two – Family Dwelling – a building that contain
solely of two dwelling unit
o Multifamily Dwelling – a building that contain
three or more dwelling unit
ENCLOSED – surrounded by a case, housing, fence, or
wall(s) that prevents persons from accidentally contacting
energized parts.
ENCLOSURE – the case or housing or apparatus, or the
fence or walls surrounding an installation to prevent
personnel from accidentally contacting energized parts, or
to protect the equipment from physical damage
ENERGIZED – Electrically connected to a source of
potential difference
EXPOSED (as applied to live parts) – capable of being
inadvertently touched or approached near than a safe
distance by a person. It is applied to parts that are not
suitably guarded, isolated or insulated.
EXPOSED (as applied to wiring methods) – on or
attached to the surface or behind panels to allow access.
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.
FIXTURE – an integral, separate or self – contained unit
which may contain one or more bulbs, or fluorescent
tubes.
GROUND – a conducting connection, whether
intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or
equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that
serves in place of the earth.
GROUNDED, Effectively – intentionally connected to
earth through ground connection or connections of
sufficiently low impedance and having sufficient current-
carrying capacity to prevent the build-up of voltages that
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may result in undue hazards to connected equipment or to
persons
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR – a conductor used to
connect equipment or the ground circuit of a wiring system
to a grounding electrode or electrons.
GUARDED – covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or
otherwise protected by means of suitable covers, casings,
barriers, rails, screens, matts, or platforms to remove the
likelihood of approach or contact by persons or objects to
a point of danger.
HANDHOLE ENCLOSURE – an enclosure identified
for use in underground systems, provided with an open or
closed bottom, and sized to allow personnel to reach into,
but not enter, for the purpose of installing, operating, or
maintaining equipment or wiping or both
INTERLOCK – a device actuated by the operation of
some other device with which it is directly associated, to
govern succeeding operations of the same or allied devices
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
LISTED– equipment, materials, or services included in a
list published by an organization that is acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction and concerned with
evaluation of products or services meets appropriate
designated standards or has been tested and found suitable
for a specified purpose
LOAD – any current-consuming device
LOCATION
o Damp Location – partially 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
warehouses.
o Dry Location - a location not normally subject to
dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry
may be temporarily subject to dampness or
wetness, as in the case of a building under
construction
o Wet Location – installations underground or in
concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the
earth, and locations subject to saturations with
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water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing
areas, and locations exposed to weather and
unprotected
LUMINAIRE – a complete lighting unit consisting of a
lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to
distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and
ballast (where applicable), and to connect the lamps to the
power supply
METAL-CLAD – so constructed that the conducting parts
are entirely enclosed in a metal casing or enclosure
MOTOR CONTROL CENTER – an assembly of one or
more enclosed sections having a common power bus and
principally containing motor control units
OUTLET – a point on the wiring system at which current
is taken to supply utilization equipment
OVERCURRENT – any current in excess of the related
current of equipment or the ampacity of a conductor, it
may result from overload, short circuit, or ground fault
OVERLOAD – operation of equipment in excess of
normal, full-load 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 a 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 cut-out box placed in or against a wall or partition and
accessible only from the front.
PULL BOX – a box with a blank cover which is inserted
in one or more runs or raceway to facilitate pulling in the
conductors, and may also serve the purpose of distributing
involved
QUALIFIED PERSON – one who has skills and
knowledge related to the construction and operation of the
electrical equipment and installations and has received
training on the hazards involved.
RACEWAY – an enclosed channel or metal or
nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding
wires, cables, busbars, with additional functions as
permitted in this Code. Raceways include, but are not
limited to, rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit,
intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible conduit,
flexible metallic tubing, flexible metal conduit, electrical
nonmetallic tubing, electrical metallic tubing, underfloor
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raceways, cellular concrete floor raceways, cellular metal
floor raceways, surface raceways, wireways, and
busywares
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 structure
SERVICE ENTRANCE
The conductors and equipment for delivering
electric energy from the serving utility to the wiring
system of the premises served. If electric energy is
supplied by other than the serving utility, the supplied
conductors and equipment are considered feeders, not a
service
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.
LESSON 2
2. 1 ELECTRICAL PERMITS
Electrical Permit Needed Before Work is Started.
Before starting any installation work, alternation, repair or
extension on any electrical system, the owners, lessons,
operators, occupants, or licensed electrical practitioners
shall obtain Electrical Permit for building, trailers, mobile
homes, or other premises from the Office of the Local
Building Official and for watercrafts from the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA)
2.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL PERMIT:
Signatures and submittals.
(a) The electrical Permit shall include the following
minimum information:
1. Applicant
2. Professional Electrical Engineer who signed and
sealed electrical plans and specifications
3. Duly qualified Electrical Practitioner who is in-
charge of electrical works.
4. Building Owner
5. Lot Owner
6. Building Official
(b) Five (5) sets of complete electrical plans and
specifications signed and sealed by Professional Electrical
Engineer (PEE)
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SWITCHGEAR – a general term covering an assembly
or assemblies of devices for the switching to constitute the
main control and cut off of the supply
TRANSFER SWITCH - An automatic or nonautomatic
device for transferring one or more load conductor
connections from one power source to another
UNDERGROUNDED – the system, circuit, or apparatus
referred to is without an intentional connection to ground
except through potential indicating or measuring a device
or other very high impedance devices
VENTILATED – provided with a means to permit
circulation of air sufficient to remove am excess of heat,
fumes, or vapors
WATERLIGHT - Constructed so that moisture will not
enter the enclosure under specified test conditions.
WEATHERPROOF - Constructed or protected so that
exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful
operation
2.3 ELECTRICAL PERMIT TO BE ISSUED
IMMEDIATELY.
(a) The application, upon receipt, shall be checked
immediately by the local building official or his
representatives for compliance with the requirements. If
complying, the Electrical Permits shall be issued upon
payment of the corresponding electrical fees.
(b) If the project is extensive and required more time for
checking and for computations of fees, the issuance of the
Electrical Permit need not be issued immediately. The
delay shall not be longer than five (5) working days after
which time application together with the accompanying
plans shall be considered as complying with all the
requirement and the electrical permit shall be issued
immediately thereafter.
POSTING OF ELECTRICAL PERMIT
A copy of the Electrical Permit, upon issuance, shall be
posted at a conspicuous location at the job site and shall not
be removed until final inspection and approval of the work
shall have been made.
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2.4 APPLICATION FOR INSPECTION b. Feeders, sub-feeders and branch circuit wires for
An application for inspection shall be filed with the lighting and/or power load
government authority concerned before a preliminary c. Fire alarm system, if required by law
and/or final inspection is done. d. Signaling and communication
(3) Special equipment to be installed, indicating ratings and
2.5.1 CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION
classification of service or duty cycle of;
No electrical installation, alteration, and/or addition shall
a. Rectifiers
be connected or reconnected to any power supply or any
b. Heaters
other source of electrical energy without a Certificate of
c. X-ray apparatus
Final Electrical Inspection/Completion obtained from the
d. Electric welding equipment
local building official signed by their respective licensed
e. Others
electrical practitioner.
(4) System or method of grounding;
2.5.2 TEMPORARY INSTALLATION
(5) Type and rating of main disconnecting means,
For temporary electrical installation, the same procedure as
overcurrent protection (OCP) and branch circuit wiring;
stated above shall be followed. At the end of the period
covered by the certificate of inspection, the temporary (6) Clearances of service drop, burial depth for service
installation shall be removed. Extended use of the lateral, mounting height and clearance for service
temporary installation shall require a new approval equipment, mounting height and clearance for kWh meter.
electrical permit.
(d) Electrical Layout
2.6 RECONNECTION OF DISCONNECTED Floor plan showing location of equipment and devices, and
SERVICES their interconnection wiring.
In cases where service has been cut off for more than one o Lighting Layout
(1) year, a new certificate of final electrical inspection shall o Power Layout
be required before reconnection. o Auxiliary layout

(e) Schedule of Loads

2.7 DRAWING SHEET SIZES
(a) Electrical plans and drawings shall be drawn on drawing Schedule of load in tabulated form shall indicate:
sheets of the following standard sizes:
a. Panel as numbered in the feeder diagram
o 760 mm x 1 000 mm (30= x 40=)
b. Circuit designation number
o 600 mm x 900 mm (24= x 36=)
c. Number of lighting outlets in each circuit
o 500 mm x 760 mm (20= x 30=)
d. Number of switches in each circuit
e. Number of receptacles outlets (convenience outlets)
(c) For a dwelling unit having a floor area of not more than
f. Voltage of circuit
50 square meters with a total load not exceeding 3 680 VA,
g. Type and size of wiring
a drawing sheet of size 297 mm x 420 mm (A3 size) is
h. Protective device rating
permitted.
(f) One Line Diagram/ Single Line Diagram
2.8 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
(g) Design Analysis
(a) Location and Site Plans
Design analysis shall be included on the drawings or shall
Location of service drop, service equipment and nearest
be submitted on separate sheets of standard size, and shall
pole of the utility company furnishing electrical energy;
show:
location of the meter as well as sizes of service entrance
wires, conduits and service equipment (1)Branch circuits, sub-feeders, feeders, busways, and
service entrance;
(b) Legend or Symbols
(2) Types, ratings, and trip settings of overload protective
(c) General Notes and/or Specifications
devices;
General Notes and/or Specifications, written on the plans
(3) Calculation of short circuit current for determining the
or submitted on separate standard size sheets shall show:
interrupting capacity of overurrent protection device for
(1) Nature of electrical service, including number of phases, residential, commercial, and industrial establishment;
number of wires, voltage and frequency;
(4) Calculation of voltage drops.
(2) Type of wiring;
a. Service entrance

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(g) Other Details 2.11 MEANS OF IDENTIFYING GROUNDED

o Shop drawings CONDUCTORS
o Installation details and dimensions An insulated grounded conductor shall be identified by the
o Hanger and support; guying details following:
(1) A conductor with continuous white or gray covering
2.9 TITLE BLOCK (2) A conductor with three continuous white stripes
(a) Name and location of installation or project; (3) A marking of white gray color at the termination
(b) Name, signature and address of encircling the conductor or insulation
owner/manager/operator;
(c) Title of sheet; 2.12 CONDUCTOR SIZING
(d) Name, signature and seal of Professional Electrical (a) Lighting – the Code provides that <100VA shall be the
Engineer together with Professional Regulation maximum load for each household lighting outlet=
Commission professional license number and validity,
(b) Convenience Outlet – the Code states that <each single
Professional Tax Receipt Number, and Tax
receptacle shall be considered at no less than 180VA rating=
Identification Number;
(e) Scale used, date drawn; and (c) Connected Load – the Code provides that <ampacity of
(f) Sheet number. the connected load shall not exceed 80% of the ampacity of
the conductor=
2.10 CONDUCTOR SIZES
(d) Srvice Entrance Conductor (Minimun Size) – the
Conductor sizes are expressed in square millimeters (�㕚�㕚2 )
Code states that ‘the conductors shall not be smaller than
for stranded in millimeters diameter for solid.
80�㕚�㕚2 (3.2mm dia) copper of 14�㕚�㕚2 aluminum=

Exception: Conductors supplying only limited loads of a

SINGLE branch circuit shall not be smaller than 3.5�㕚�㕚2
(2.0mm dia) copper

LESSON 3
3.5 WIRING METHODS
3.2 INSTALLATION AND USE Only wiring methods recognized as suitable are included in
Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in this Code. The recognized methods of wiring shall be
accordance with any instructions included in the listing or permitted to be installed in any type of building or
labeling. occupancy, except as otherwise provided in this Code.

3.3 VOLTAGES 3.6 INTERRUPTING RATING

Throughout this Code, the voltage considered shall be at Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall
which the circuit operates. The voltage rating of electrical have an interrupting rating sufficient for the nominal circuit
equipment shall not be less than the nominal voltage of a voltage and the current that is available at the line terminals
circuit to which it is connected. of the equipment.

3.4 CONDUCTORS 3.7 CIRCUIT IMPEDANCE AND OTHER

Conductors normally used to carry current shall be copper
unless otherwise provided in this Code. Where the
conductor material is not specified, the material and the
sizes given in this Code shall apply to copper conductors.
Where other materials are used, the size shall be changed
accordingly. Sizes are expressed in square millimeters for
stranded or in millimeters diameter for solid.
CHARACTERISTICS
The overcurrent protective devices, the total impedance, the
component short-circuit current ratings, and other
characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected
and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices
used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to
the electrical components of the circuit.

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LESSON 4
Electrical projects require installing electrical COMMON WIRE INSULATION
wire, but which types of wires can be used in a particular
location. The Code defines the locations in which certain
electrical wire types can be used. It is good to be aware
that not all electrical conductors and cables are the same.
The insulation type determines the areas they can and
cannot be used.

DRY LOCATIONS
o a location not normally subject to dampness or
wetness. A location classified as dry may be
temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in
the case of a building under construction

DAMP LOCATIONS
o Locations protected from weather and not subject
to saturation with water or other liquids but subject
to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such
locations include 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
buildings.
The <T= stands for thermoplastic, the type of
WET LOCATIONS insulation covering the wire itself. The <H= stands for a
o Installations underground or in concrete slabs or heat resistance up to 60˚C (167˚F). Likewise, the <HH=
masonry in direct contact with the earth, and stands for a heat resistance, only it increases the rating to
locations subject to saturations with water or other 90˚C (194˚F). The <W= stands for moisture resistance. The
liquids, such as vehicle washing areas, and in <N= stands for an additionally nylon coating that makes
unprotected locations exposed to weather. A the wire both oil and gasoline resistant. These wire are
location in which water or other liquid can drip, built to take on many different conditions.
splash, or flow on or against electrical equipment.

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LESSON 5
o larger interior diameter, this circular raceway is often
permitted to contain more conductors than RMC.
o interchangeable with galvanized RMC
- both have threads
- use the same coupling and fittings
- same support requirements
- permitted in same locations
o trade sizes – ½ through 4
o standard length with coupling is 3m or 10 ft.

 Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

o threaded raceway of circular cross section designed for
the routing and physical protection conductors and cables
that run through it.
o heavy-wall (thickwall) construction made of steel
(ferrous) with protective coating (aluminum)
o standard length is 3m or 10 ft
o has the thickest wall which makes it the heaviest steel
conduit
o can be used indoors, outdoors, underground, and in both
concealed and exposed applications
o trade sizes – ½ through 6

 Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)

o raceway of circular cross section made of helically
wound, formed, interlocked, metal strip
RACEWAYS o typically cut with a hacksaw
It is a channel that is designed and used expressly for the purpose o trade size – ½, ¾, 1, 1 ½, 1 ¾, 2
of holding wires, cables, or busbars. The term circular raceway
is finding its way into the Code to distinguish between the  Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)
raceways that are circular in configuration from raceways that
are rectangular such as wireways.  Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC)
TRADE SIZES
INCHES (in.) MILLIMITER (mm.)  High Density Polyetnylene Conduit (HDPE)
½ 15 o nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section with
¾ 20 associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for the
1 25 installation of electrical conductors.
1¼ 32 o designed to be installed underground
1½ 40 o often used in underground raceway for fiber optics or
2 50 communication cables
2½ 65
3 75  Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC)
3½ 90
4 100  Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
5 125 o nonthreaded raceway of circular cross section designed
6 150 for the routing and physical protection conductors and
cables that run through it
Types of materials classified as a raceway: o thin-wall metal raceway
 Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) o not permitted to be threaded
o listed threaded steel raceway of circular cross section and o also referred to in the trade as thinwall
lighter weight rigid-type steel electrical conduit. o standard length is 3m (10 ft)
o thinner wall than RMC o trade sizes through 4
o fittings:
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- nonthreaded thinwall raceway providing the most mechanical protection to the enclosed
- since not permitted to be threaded, sections are joined conductors. An additional benefit of using steel conduit is that
together and connected to boxed, other fitting cabinets the code recognized a properly installed metal conduit system as
by couplings and connectors. an equipment grounding conductor.
- fittings available include setscrew, compression and Metal or metallic would include both ferrous and nonferrous:
indenter styles  nonmetallic raceways would include PVC, ENT and
o set-screw: fiberglass
- when used with this type of fitting, EMT is pushed into  couplings are used to connect sections of a raceway
the coupling or connector to the stop and is secured in  locknuts, metal bushing, or connectors are used to connect
place by tightening the set-screw raceways to boxes or fittings
- it is classified as concrete-tight but not raintight Three basic types of steel conduit are in used today:
o installation:  rigid metal conduit
- not permitted to be installed underground or in concrete  intermediate metal conduit
slabs that are on or below grade by inspection authorities  electrical metallic tubing
due to numerous failures
- common for electrical consulting engineers to require
SURFACE RACEWAY
the use of pvc conduits
 metallic or nonmetallic raceway that is intended to be
- several kinds of bends can be made with the use of
mounted to the surface of a structure for the installation of
bending tool:
electrical conductors
 stub bend
 examples:
 back-to-back bend
o PVC plastic molding
 angle bend
o PVC wire duct
 offset saddles
o Gutters
 kicks
o Other wire ways

 Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)

CABLE TRAYS/ CABLE LADDER
o flexible nonmetallic corrugated raceway of circular cross
 Unit or assembly of units or sections and associated
section with integral of associated couplings, connectors,
and fittings for the installation of electric conductors. fittings forming a structural system used to securely fasten
or support conductors and cables
o Available in many colors
o Typically orange  used in commercial and industrial application
o Trade sizes – ½ , ¾, 1  many sizes and shapes

 Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit (RNC)

o nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section, with
integral or associated couplings, connectors and fittings
for the installation of electrical conductors and cables
o comes in two wall thickness schedule 40 and schedule
80 (thicker wall)
o bent by heating the raceway until flexible
o uses pvc glue and attach fittings
o easy to cut using hacksaw or pvc cutter
Table below shows the trade sizes for PVC conduits.
TRADE SIZES
INCHES (in.) MILLIMITER (mm.)
½ 20
¾ 25
1 32
1¼ 40
1½ 50
2 65
2½ 75
3 90
3½ 110
4 125
5 150
6 175

Steel conduct has been in use as a raceway system for electrical

conductors since the early 1900s. The wall thickness and strength
of steel make metal conduit the wiring method recognized as
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