SECTION 8: WIRING METHODS

SECTION 8
WIRING METHODS

8.1 SCOPE

(1) This Section applies to all wiring installation operating at 0.6/1.0kV or less except for:

(a) conductors which form an integral part of factory built equipment;

(b) communication circuit, unless otherwise specified in Section 23;
(c) Class 2 circuits, unless otherwise specified in Section 10;
(d) community antenna distribution, radio and television installations, unless otherwise specified in
Section 24;
(e) optical fiber cables.

8.2 Normative Reference

(1) The following references contain provisions which, through reference in .this text, constitute
provisions of the Ethiopian Building Code Standard on Electrical Installation of Buildings.

(a) CSA C22.1:2002 Canadian Electrical Code, Safety Standard for Electrical
Installation, Nineteenth Edition

(b) BS 767:1992 The electricians Guide to the 16th Edition of the IEE Wiring
Regulations, Second Edition, 1993

(c ) NFPA 70 / NEC:2008 National Fire Protection Association, American National

Electrical Code, 2008 Edition

8.3 General Requirements

8.3.1 Methods of Installation

(1) The methods of installation of wiring systems shall be as shown in Annex A.

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(2) The Provisions in (1) above notwithstanding, the use of another method is not precluded provided that
compliance with this Code is maintained

(3) A bare live conductor shall be installed on insulators.

(4) Non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring shall be enclosed in conduits, ducting or trunking; however, this
provision does not apply to a protective conductor.

8.3.2 Wiring in Ducts and Plenum Chambers

(1) No electrical equipment, unless specifically approved for the purpose, shall be installed in ducts used
to transport dust, loose stock, or flammable vapours.

(2) No electrical equipment, unless specifically approved for the purpose, shall be installed in any duct
used for vapour removal or for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment.

8.3.3 Underground Installations

(1) Direct buried conductors, cables, or raceways shall be installed to meet the minimum cover
requirements shown in Table 8.1.

Table 8.1 Minimum cover requirements for direct buried

conductors, cables or raceways

Minimum cover [mm]

Wiring method
750.0 V or Over 750.0V 750.0v or less Over 750.0V
less
Conductors or cables not 600 750 900 1000
having a metal sheath or
armour
Conductors or cable 450 750 600 1000
having a metal sheath or
armour
Raceway 450 750 600 1000

Minimum cover means the distance between the top surface of the conductor, cable, or raceway and the
finished grade.

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(2) The minimum cover requirements shall be permitted to be reduced by 150.0mm where mechanical
protection is placed in the trench over the underground installation.

(3) Mechanical protection shall consist of one of the following and, when in flat form, shall be wide
enough to extend at least 50.0mm beyond the conductor, cables, or raceways on each side:

(a) Treated planking at least 38.0mm thick.

(b) Poured concrete at least 50.0mm thick.
(c) Concrete slabs at least 50.0mm thick.
(d) Concrete encasement at least 50.0mm thick.
(e) Other acceptable material.

(4) Raceways or cables, if located in rock, may be installed at a shallower depth entrenched into the rock
in a trench not less than 150.0mm deep and grouted with concrete to the level of the rock surface.

(5) Raceways may be installed directly beneath a concrete slab at grade level provided the concrete slab is
not less than a nominal 100.0mmin thickness, the location is adequately marked, and the raceway will not
be subject to damage during or after installations.

(6) Any form of mechanical protection which may adversely affect the conductors or cable assemblies
shall not be used.

(7) Backfill containing large rock, paving materials, cinders, large or sharply angular substances, or
corrosive material shall not be placed in an excavation where such materials may damage cables,
raceways, or other substructures prevent adequate compaction of fill, or contribute to corrosion of cables,
raceways, or other substructures.

8.3.4 Conductors in Hoistways

(1) Where conductors other than those used to furnish energy to the lift or dumbwaiter are installed in
hoistways, they shall be from mineral-insulated cable or armoured cables or be run in rigid or flexible
metal conduit or electrical metallic tubing.

(2) The cable, conduit, or tubing referred to in (1) above shall be:

(a) securely fastened to the hoistway construction;

(b) arranged so that terminal-outlets or junction boxes open outside the hoistway except that pull
boxes may be installed in long runs for the purpose of supporting or pulling in conductors.

(3) (a) Main feeders for supplying power to elevators and dumbwaiters shall be installed outside the
hoistway.

(b) Only such electric wiring, raceways, and cables used directly in connection with the elevator or
dumbwaiter, including wiring for signals, for communication with the car, for lighting, heating,
air conditioning and ventilating the car, shall be permitted inside the hoistway.

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8.4 Conductors

8.4.1 Types of Conductors

(1) Conductors installed in any location shall be suitable for the condition of use as indicated in Annex B
of Section 4 for the particular location involved and with particul.ar respect to the following

(a) moisture
(b) corrosive action
(c) temperature
(d) degree of inclosure
(e) mechanical protection.

8.4.2 Radii of Bends in Conductors

(1) The minimum internal radii of bends in conductors shall be as indicated in Table 8.2

Table 8.2 Minimum internal radii of bends in cables for fixed wiring
Type of insulation Overall diameter Bending factor
PVC up to 10.0mm 3(2)
PVC 10.0m to 25.0mm 4(3)
PVC over 25.0mm 6
Mineral any diameter 6


Mineral-insulated cables may be bent at a minimum radius of three times the cable diameter provided that
they will only be bent once.

Note: i) The factor shown in the table is that by which the overall cable diameter must be multiplied to give the
minimum inside' radius of the bend.
ii) The figures in brackets apply to unsheathed single-core stranded PVC cables when installed in conduit,
trunking or ducting.

8.4.3 Conductor Joints and Splices

(1) Unless made with solderless wire connectors, joints or splices in insulated conductors shall be
soldered, but they shall first be made mechanically secured.

(2) Joints or splices shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that on the conductors being joined.

(3) Joints or splices in wires and cables shall be accessible.

(4) Splices in underground runs of cable, if required due to damage to the original installation, may be
made:

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(a) in junction boxes which are located at least 1.0m above grade and secured to buildings or to stub
poles and suitably protected from mechanical damage;

(b) notwithstanding the requirements in (3) above, by means of splicing devices or materials (kits)
acceptable for direct earth burial.

8.4.4 Supporting of Conductors

(1) Conductors shall be supported so that no injurious strain is imposed on the terminals of any electrical
apparatus or devices or on joints or taps. Table 8.3 shows guidance on methods of support.

Table 8.3 Spacing of supports for cables in accessible position

Overall Maximum spacing of clips[mm]

diameter of Sheathed cables Mineral-insulated cables
cable [mm] Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical
9 250 400 600 800
>915 300 400 900 1200
>1520 350 450 1500 2000
>2040 400 550

Note: For the spacing of supports for cables of overall diameter exceeding 40.0mm and for single-core cables
having conductors of cross-sectional area 300.0mm2 and larger, the manufacturer's recommendations
should be observed.

8.5 OPEN WIRING

8.5.1 Open and Clipped Direct

(1) Sheathed cables clipped direct to or lying on non-metallic surface shall be installed in accordance with
Installation Method 1 (see Annex A).

8.5.2 Spacing of Conductors

(1) Spacing between conductors and adjacent surfaces shall be as indicated in Installation Methods 12 and
13 (see Annex A).

(2) In all locations, a separation of at least 25.0mm shall be maintained between conductors and adjacent
metal piping or conducting materials.

8.5.3 Conductor Supports

(1) Conductors shall be supported rigidly on noncombustible, absorption resisting insulators.

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(2) Conductors supported on solid knobs shall be securely tied thereto by tie wires having insulation of
the same type as that on the conductors which they secure.

8.5.4 Spacing of Supports

(1) Sheathed and / or armoured cables installed in accessible positions and supported by clips shall not
exceed the appropriate spacing value stated in Table 8.3.

8.6 Exposed Wiring On Exterior Of Buildings And Between Buildings On

The Same Premises

8.6.1 Location of Conductors

(1) Where conductors are supported on or in close proximity to the exterior surfaces of buildings, they
hall be installed and protected so that they shall not be hazardous to persons or be exposed to mechanical
injury and they shall not, without special permission, be located at a height less than 4.5m from the
ground.

8.6.2 Clearance of Conductors

(1) Conductors which pass over roofs shall be located or guarded so that they cannot be reached by a
person standing on a fire escape, flat roof, or other portion of a building.

(2) Such conductors in (1) above shall at least be 2.5m above the highest point of a flat roof or a roof that
can be readily walked upon and at least 1.0m above peaked roofs or the highest point of such roofs that
can be readily walked upon; however, by special permission, they may be located less than 2.5m, but not
less than 2.0m, .above the highest point of a flat roof or roofs so that the latter can be readily walked
upon.

8.6.3 Power Supply Conductors

(1) The conductors of a power supply system attached to the exterior surfaces of buildings shall be at least
300.0mm from the conductors of a communication system unless one system is in conduit or is
permanently separated from other systems.

8.7 Bare Bus Bars And Risers

(1) Bare conductors shall not be used as main risers or feeders in buildings unless, special permission is
obtained.

(2) Special permission shall not be granted unless:

(a) the building is of noncombustible construction;

(b) the conductors are placed in a chase, channel, or shaft located or guarded so that the conductors
are inaccessible;

(c) the premises do not constitute a hazardous location;

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(d) suitable cut-offs to protect against the vertical spread of fire are provided where floors are
pierced;
(e) the mechanical and electrical features of the installation and the conductor supports are
appropriate to the operating and maintenance conditions likely to occur, the following
requirements being used in the case of bus bars rated l200.0A or less:

Note: i) Where flat bus bars 6.25mm or less in thickness are used, the continuous current rating shall not exceed
1.6A/mm2 of cross-sectional area of copper bus bar or 1.12A/mm2 in the case of aluminum bus bars.

ii) Bus bar supports shall be spaced not more than 750.0mm apart, with minimum clearance across insulating
surface between bars of opposites polarity of not less than 50.0mm, and 25.0mm between bus bars and
any earthed surface.

8.8 Installation Of Boxes, Cabinets, Outlets And Terminal Fittings

8.8.1 Number of Outlets per Circuit

(1) There shall be no more than 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit except as permitted by other
Sections of this Code.

(2) Such outlets in (1) above shall be considered to be rated at not less than 1.0A per outlet except as
permitted by (3) below.

(3) Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets may exceed 12 provided the load current
does not exceed 80% of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit.

8.8.2 Outlet Boxes

(1) A box or an equivalent device shall be installed at every point of outlet, switch or junction of conduit
and at every point of outlet and switch of concealed knob-and-tube work.

(2) Nonmetallic outlet boxes shall not be used in wiring methods using metal raceways, armoured or
metal sheathed cable, except where the boxes are provided with bonding connection between all
conductor entry openings.

(3) The box shall be provided with a cover or a fixture canopy.

(4) At least 150.0mm of free conductor shall be left at each outlet for making of joints or connection of
fixtures unless the conductors are intended to loop through lamp holders, socket outlets, or similar devices
without joints.

(5) Ceiling outlet boxes in concrete slab construction shall have knockouts spaced above the free or lower
edge of the boxes a distance of at least twice the diameter of the steel reinforcing bars so that conduit
entering the knockouts shall clear the bars without offsetting.

(6) Boxes and fittings shall be firmly secured to studs, joists or similar fixed structural units.

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8.8.3 Conductors in Boxes

(1) Boxes shall be of sufficient size to provide usable space for all insulated conductors contained in the
box.

(2) Conductors which are connected to different power or distribution transformers or other different
sources of voltage shall not be installed in the same box, cabinet or fitting.

8.8.4 Terminal Fittings

(1) Where conductors are run from the ends of conduit, armoured cable surface raceways or non metallic
sheathed cable to appliances or open wiring installation, an outlet fitting or terminal fitting may be used
instead of the box required in Clause 8.8.2, and the conductors shall be run without splice, tap or joint
within the fitting.

(2) The fittings in (1) above shall have a separately bushed hole for each conductor.

(3) The fittings in (1) above shall not be used at outlets for fixtures.

8.9 Cables, Conductors And Wiring Methods

(1) Every cable operating at low voltage shall be selected in accordance with Section 4 of this Code.

(2) The method of installation of cables and conductors shall be subject to the provision of Clause 8.3.1.

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ANNEX A (NORMATIVE)

SCHEDULE OF METHODS OF INSTALLATION OF CABLES

Note: i) The methods of installation distinguished by bold type are reference methods for which the current carrying
capacity given in Annex B, Tables B.1 through B.45, Section 4, have been determined.

ii) For the other methods, an indication is given of the appropriate reference method having values of current-
carrying capacity which can safely be applied.

Installation method Appropriate Reference

Method for determining
Examples
Number Description current-carrying
capacity
1 2 3 4
Open and clipped direct:
1 Sheathed cables clipped direct to or lying on Method 1
a non-metallic surface

Cables embedded direct in building materials:

Sheathed cables embedded directly in

masonry, brickwork, concrete, plaster or the
2 Method 1
like (other than-thermally insulating
materials)

Single-core non-sheathed cables In metallic Method 3

3
or non-metallic conduit on a wall or ceiling

In conduit:
Single-core non-sheathed cables in metallic Method 4
or non-metallic conduit in a thermally
insulating wall or above a thermally
4
insulating ceiling, the conduit being in
contact with a thermally conductive surface
on one side*
5 Multicore cables having non-metallic sheath, Method 3
in metallic o r non-metallic conduit on a wall
or ceiling.

The wall is assumed to consist of an outer weatherproof skin, thermal insulation and an inner skin of a plaster board
or a wood-like material having a thermal conductance not less than 10w/m2K. The conduit is fixed so as to be close
to, but not necessarily touching, the inner skin. Heat from the cables is assumed to escape through the inner skin
only.

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Installation method Appropriate

Reference Method
Examples for determining
Number Description current-carrying
capacity
1 2 3 4

Sheathed cables in conduit in a thermally

6 insulating wall etc. (otherwise as Reference Method 4
Method 4)

7 Cables in conduit embedded in masonry,

brickwork, concrete, plaster or the like
(other than thermally insulating materials)
Method 3

In trunking:

Cables in trunking on a wall or suspended in

8
the air Method 3

9 Cables in flush floor trunking Method 3

On trays:

10 Single-core cable in skirting trunking Method 3

11 Sheathed cables on a perforated cable tray,

bunched and unenclosed.
Method 11
A perforated cable tray Is considered as a
tray in which the holes occupy at least 30%
of the surface area

In free air, on cleats, brackets or a ladder

12 Sheathed single-core cables in free air (any
supporting metalwork ladder the cables
occupying less than 10% of the plan area:
Two or three cables vertically one above the
other, minimum distance between cable
surfaces equal to the overall cable diameter
(D); distance from the wall not less than
0.5D.
Two or three cables horizontally, with Method 12
spacing as above three cables in trefoil,
distance between wall and surface of nearest
cable 0.5D, or nearest cables 0.75D

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Installation method Appropriate Reference

Examples Method for determining
Number Description
current-carrying capacity
1 2 3 4
In free air, on cleats, brackets or a ladder
13 Sheathed multicore cables on ladder or
brackets, separation greater than 2D Sheathed
multicore cables in free air distance between
wall and cable surface not less than 0.3Dm
Any supporting metalwork under the cables
Method 13
occupying less than 10% the plan area

14 Cables suspended from or incorporating a

catenary wire
Method 12 or Method 13, as
appropriate

Cables In building voids:

15 Sheathed cables Installed directly in a

thermally Insulating wall or above a
thermally insulating ceiling, the cable being Method 4
In contact with a thermally conductive
surface on one side (otherwise as Ref Method
No 4)

16 Sheathed cables In ducts or voids formed by Method 4

the building structure, other than thermally
insulating materials Where the cable has a
diameter D or a perimeter
not greater than 20 D.

Method 3

Where the duct has either a

diameter greater than 5D• or
a perimeter greater than
20D•

Notes:
i) Where the perimeter is
greater than 60D,
installation Methods 18 to
20, as appropriate, should be
used,
ii) D, is the overall cable
diameter; for groups of
cables D Is the sum of the
cable diameters.

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Installation method
Number Description
1 2
Cables in trenches;:
17 Cables supported on the wall of an open
or ventilated trench, with spacing as
indicated for Reference Method 12 or 13
as appropriate
18 Cables in enclosed trench 450.0mm wide
by 300.0 mm deep (minimum
dimensions) including 100.0 mm cover
19 Cables in enclosed trench 450.0mm wide
by 600.0mm deep (minimum dimensions)
including 100.0mm cover
20 Cables in enclosed trench 600.0mm wide
by 760.0mm deep (minimum dimensions)
including 100.0mm cover

Larger spacing to be used where practicable.
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD
Appropriate Reference
Method for determining
Examples
current-carrying
capacity
3 4
Method 12 or Method
13, as appropriate
Two single-core cables with
surfaces separated by a minimum
of one cable diameter.
Three single-core cables in trefoil
and touching throughout. Method 18. Use rating
factors in Table A.3,
Section 4.
Multicore cables or groups of
single-core cables with
surfaces minimum of 50.0 mm
Single-core cables arranged in flat
groups of two or three on the
vertical
trench wall with surfaces separated
by one diameter with a minimum
distance of 50.0mm between Method 19. Use rating
groups. factors in Table A.3,
Section 4
Multicore cables installed with
surfaces separated by a minimum
of 75.0mm. All cables spaced at
least 25.0mm from the trench wall
Single-core cables arranged in
groups of two or three in flat
formation with the surfaces
separated by one diameter or in
trefoil formation with cables Method 20. Use rating
touching. factors in Table A.3,
Groups separated by a minimum of Section 4.
75.0mm either horizontally or
vertically.
All cables spaced at least 25.0mm
from the trench wall.
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