MODULE 2: APPLIED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUILDINGS
SYSTEM COMPONENTS OF BUILDINGS
1. Wirings and Raceways
• Secondary Line, Service, Service Drop,
Service Entrance Cable, Service Entry
• Feeder, Rigid Steel Conduit
• KW-H Meter
• Underground Feeder
2. Power Handling Equipment
• Safety Switch
• Panelboard/Circuit Breaker
3. Utilization Equipment
• Branch Circuits (Lightings, Convenience Outlets,
Appliances, Independent Circuits)
• EMC/EMT Grounding
Service Entrance
Two Types:
• Overhead Service
• Underground Service
Feederline Layout - A feeder can be described as a
power line through which electricity is passed in a
power system.
Overhead Service Entrance - the common type of
service wire installed by electric power supply
companies.
SINGLE PHASE ELECTRICITY (AC) AND
THREE PHASE ELECTRICITY (AC)
Single Phase
• Can either be 2-wire or 3-wire and composes
two hot legs and a neutral wire
• Can be 2-wire single phase DC or AC
• Can be 3-wire single phase DC (Edison System)
• Can be 3-wire single phase AC
• Usually used for homes and small commercial
buildings
Three Phase
• A Triple Circuit
• The lighting and outlet loads are connected
between any phase leg and a neutral line. While
machineries and other bigger loads are
connected to the phase leg only.
• Can either be 3-wire or 4-wire and comprised of
three hot legs and a neutral wire.
• Can be 3-wire three phase AC
• Can be 4-wire three phase AC
• Usually used for industries and large
commercial buildings
Trivia
Hotlegs - Hot & Legs
• Hot - any conductor (wire or otherwise)
connected with an electrical system that has
electric poter! relative to electrical ground or
neutral.
• Leg - as in "hot leg" refers to one of multiple hot
conductors in an electrical system. The most
common residential and small commercial
service in the Philippines, single phase, 240 V,
features a ground and two hot legs.
• Ground Wire - a wire that has an electrical
connection to the earth, either directly or
through another grounded conductor.
Grounding
The National Electrical Code defines ground as a
"conducting connection, whether intentional or
accidental between an electrical circuit or equipment
and earth or some conducting body that serves in place
of the earth."
Transformer (yung mukhang drum)
It is a simple static device consisting of a magnetic core
wherein the primary and secondary windings are made.
The voltage is directly proportional to the number of
windings or turns.
SERVICE DROP
A service drop is an overhead electrical line running
from a utility pole to a customer's building or other
premises. It is the point where electric utilities provide
power to their customers.
At the customer's premises, the wires usually enter the
building through a weather head that protects against
rain, and drop down through conduit to an electric
meter which measures and records the power used for
billing purposes, then enters the main service panel.
The utility's portion of the system ends, and the
customer's wiring begins, at the output socket of the
electric meter.
OTHER COMPONENTS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KWH Meter - to measure energy, the factor of time is
introduced, such that: energy power x time.
Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) - a device that
maintains power in the event of a failure
(https://www.analog.com/)
• Emergency Systems
• Standby Systems
• Battery Equipment
• Engine-Generator Sets
 MODULE 3:
Building System Components
- Wires and Cables
- Raceways / Conduits
- Power Handling Equipment
-Utilization Equipment
- Switches and Convenience Outlets

BUSBAR
Busbar is a metallic strip or bar, typically housed inside
switchgear, panel boards, and busway enclosures for
local high current power distribution.
They are also used to connect high voltage equipment
at electrical switchyards, and low voltage equipment in
battery banks.
They are generally uninsulated and have sufficient
stiffness to be supported in air by insulated pillars.
These features allow sufficient cooling of the
conductors, and the ability to tap in at various points
without creating a new joint.
DISTRIBUTION
• Panelboards
• Switchboards/Switchgear
• Unit Substation
WIRE
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or
rod of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads
or electricity and telecommunication signals. Wire
comes in solid core, stranded, or braided forms.
Color coding is used both on the outer sheathing of
bundled electrical cables and on the individual
conduction wires within cables or inside conduit.
Trivia
Wire gauge is a measurement of wire diameter. This
determines the amount of electric current a wire can
safely carry, as well as its electrical resistance and
weight.
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire.
The letters indicate specific properties of the wire
insulation:
T - Thermoplastic
H - Heat-resistant; HH means highly heat- resistant
W-Rated for wet locations
N-Nylon-coated, for added protection.

PANELBOARD
A panelboard is a single panel or group of panel units
designed for assembly in the form of a single panel,
including buses and 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,
partition, or other support; and accessible only from the
front. (Philippine Electrical Code)

Installation Principles:
1. The approach should be accessible and
convenient.
2. The panelboard must be centrally located to
shorten the home wiring runs.
3. It must be installed near the load center. As
in most cases, panelboard is installed near the
kitchen and the laundry where heavy loads are
expected.

TEMPORARY BREAKERS ON EACH LABELS

MAIN- is the feeder interior wiring extending from

service switch, generator bus, or converter bus to the
main distribution.
BREAKER - is defined as the circuit conductors between
the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and
the outlets. This means that the branch circuit is only
the wiring between the circuit overcurrent protection
device such as fuses or circuit breaker and the outlets.
(PEC).
 ➢ IMC - intermediate metal conduit EMT -
electrical metal tubing ENT - electrical
nonmetallic tubing
➢ FMC flexible metal conduit
➢ LFMC liquid-tight flexible metal conduit
➢ Rigid PVC-plastic plumbing pipe and is
installed with plastic fittings that are glued
in place.

NM Cable - non-metallic; mostly used for outlets,

switches, light fixtures, and appliances.
UF Cable - underground feeder; commonly used for
supplying outdoor fixtures, such as lampposts.
Low Voltage Wire - used typically for requirement of 50 DEVICES FOR UTILIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Outlets and Boxes
volts or less; commonly used for landscape lighting wire,
sprinkler system connections, bell wire (door bells), • comes in a variety of shapes and materials
speaker system wires, and thermostat wires. • metal (made of steel or aluminum), plastic (PVC
Phone and Data Wire - low-voltage wires used for or fiberglass)
"landline" telephones and internet hookups • common types: utility box, junction box, pull
Coaxial Cable - round jacketed cable that features an box
inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating • with conduit knockouts
layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield made Junction Box
of braided wire. • are metal or plastic enclosures used as housings
for wiring connections
BUS BAR AND BUS DUCT, OTHER RACEWAYS / • houses wire runs which are split or joined to
CONDUITS bring power to electrical devices
• may be octagon, square or round
Busbar systems are used to safely implement three- Pull Box
phase power distribution systems, often in large • may be metal or PVC, installed in an accessible
environments. place in a run of conduit to facilitate the pulling
in of wires or cables
A bus duct (also called busway) is a sheet metal duct Utility Box
containing either copper or aluminum busbars for the • used for convenience outlets, switch boxes or
purse of conducting a substantial current of electricity. small junction boxes
• popular for exposed work applications (surface
It is an alternative means of conducting electricity to mounted wiring)
power cables or cable bus.
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Other Raceways / Conduits Transformer
Outdoor Transformers
• Cable Bus - an electrical system that transmits H-Frame 1000 kva
electrical energy through an assembly of Cluster mounted - 225 kva
insulated conductors that are mounted on a Pad mounted- 120V to 240V
metal housing with cable support blocks Indoor Transformers
installed on it. Dry Type-pad mounted; switchboard
• Assemblies - an assembly with three or four Askarel - synthetic non- flammable liquid
parallel 10 AWG special stranded copper Oil-insulated for
conductors. transformer valut
• Lighting Tracks - or track lighting, method where Transformer Rating: stepped up/ stepped down
light fixtures are attached on a continuous track
device which contains electrical conductors. Switchboard/Switchgear
• Cable Trays - used to support insulated electrical Free standing; assemblies of switches, fuses / circuit
cables for power distribution, control, and breakers
communication. Panelboard
• Raceway - an enclosed conduit that forms a Final distribution point: PP/LP
physical pathway for electrical wiring. Service Switch
• Conduit Pipes large switch disconnecting apparatus service
➢ RMC/RSC-rigid metal conduit disconnecting means applied on apartments: meter
banks.
SWITCHES AND CONVINIENCE OUTLETS
Switches
• are devices for making, breaking, or changing
conditions in an electrical circuit under the
conditions of load which they are rated
• The number, type, and location depends on the
fixtures and devices.
• control the flow of electricity to outlets and to
individual devices
Types, according to:
• voltage
• intensity of use
• type of service
• operating mechanism
• oles and throws
• special switches
Light fixtures, wall switches, and receptacle outlets are
the most visible parts of an electrical system.
Switches and receptacle outlets should be located for
convenient access and coordinated with visible surface
patterns.
"Gang" describes the number of switches on the plate.
They are sometimes called rockers, throws, or dimmers,
depending on how they operate, but still they just refer
to the number of light switches on the plate.
Multiway Switching is the interconnection of two or
more electrical switches to control an electrical load.
Three-way Switches used where it is desired to control
lamps from two different points, as in a stairwell.
Four-way Switches - used in conjunction with two 3-
wire switches where it is desired to control lamps from
three or more desired points.
Outlet
a point in the wiring system at which current is taken to
supply utilization equipment; refers only to the box.
Receptacle
the wiring device in which the utilization equipment
(appliance) cord is plugged into.
A normal wall convenience outlet takes 2 attachment
plugs and is called a duplex convenience receptacle.
15A and 20A receptacles should be grounded.
Receptacles are normally mounted at 0.30m to 0.45m
from FFL, and around 1.07m from FFL for Kitchens.
2-Prong Outlet common in older homes, used for
ungrounded circuits only
3-Prong Outlet - features two long, upper slots, with a
bottom, upside-down u-shaped slot for grounding.
Switch Outlet Combos winning combination provides
two features in a single device.
GENERAL NOTES, SYMBOLS, AND COMPONENTS OF
ELECTRICAL WORKING DRAWINGS
Content of General Notes under the Phil. Elec. Code
2017
General Notes and/or Specifications, written on the
plans or submitted on separate standard size sheets
shall show:
• Nature of electrical service, including
number of phases, number of wires,
voltage and frequency;
• Type of wiring;
• Service entrance
• Feeders, sub-feeders and branch circuit
wires for lighting and/or power load
• Fire alarm system, if required by law
• Signaling and communication
• Special equipment to be installed,
indicating ratings and classification of
service or duty cycle of;
• Rectifiers
• Heaters
• X-ray apparatus
• Electric welding equipment
• Others
• System or method of grounding;
• Type and rating of main disconnecting
means, overcurrent protection (OCP)
and branch circuit wiring;
• Clearances of service drop, burial depth
for service lateral, mounting height and
clearance for service equipment,
mounting height and clearance for kWh
meter.
ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
• An electrical symbol is a pictogram used to represent
various electrical and electronic devices or functions,
such as wires, batteries, resistors, switches and
convenience outlets, in a schematic diagram of an
electrical or electronic circuit. These symbols are largely
standardized internationally today, but may vary from
country to country, or engineering discipline, based on
traditional conventions.
• Electrical Symbols or Electrical Legends are indicated
for the specific use of every project.
COMPONENTS OF ELECTERICAL WORKING DRAWINGS
Electrical drawing
is a type of technical drawing that shows information
about power, lighting, and communication for an
engineering or architectural project.
Any electrical working drawing consists of "lines,
symbols, dimensions, and notations to accurately
convey an engineering's design to the workers, who
install the electrical system on the job".
Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams
used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical
equipment and wiring in communication centers, power
plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings.
A complete set of working drawings for the average
electrical system in large projects usually consists of:
• A lot plan showing the building's
location and outside electrical wiring.
• Floor plans showing the location of
electrical systems on every floor.
• Power-riser diagrams showing panel
boards.
• Control wiring diagrams
• Schedules and other information in
combination with construction
drawings.
1. LOT PLANS
2. FLOOR PLANS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON EVERY FLOOR.
3. POWER RISER DIAGRAMS SHOWING PANEL
BOARD
4. SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION IN
COMBINATION WITH CONSTRUCTION
DRAWINGS
THEORY, PRACTICE, AND APPLICATIONS OF AUXILIARY
LAYOUT AND LIGHTING, SWITCHING LAYOUT
Drafting Electrical Layout and Details
One must realize that electrical drafting is one of the
evolving technologies of the modern age. Electrical
drafting is the transmission and use of electrical power.
Typical components are generators, controls,
transmission of network, and lighting, heating and
cooling systems.
KEY NOTES:
LIGHTING:
Planning for sufficient lighting involves the light, eye and
the object. Whether planning lighting for a residence or
for a large commercial building, the same design factors
must be considered. One must consider how much light
is needed, what type has the best quality and how should
the light be distributed.
ELECTRICAL FIXTURES
There are three groups of lighting fixtures namely, ceiling
fixtures, wall fixtures and portable plug-ins.
GENERAL RULE TO OBSERVE IN ILLUMINATION
PLANNING
1. The kitchen requires a high level of general lighting
from ceiling fixtures. Specific lighting for all work areas
includes, range, sink, tables, and counters.
2. The bathroom requires a high level of general lighting
from ceiling fixtures. The mirror should have lights on
two sides. The shower and water closet should have a
recessed, vapor proof light.
3. The living room requires a low-level of general
lighting but should have specific lighting for areas for
reading, and other visual tasks. Decorative lighting can
also be used.
4. The bedroom requires a low level of general lighting
but should have specific lighting for reading in bed, on
both sides of the dressing-table mirror. The dressing
area requires high level of general lighting. Children's
bedroom requires a high level of general lighting.
Closets should have a fixture paced high at the front. 5.
The dining are requires a low level of general lighting
with local lighting over the dining table.
6. The entrance and hallways require a high level of
general lighting and decorative lighting.
7. Traffic areas requires a high level of general lighting
for safety. 8. Television viewing requires a very low level
of general lighting. Television should not be viewed in
the dark because the strong contrast of dark room and
bright screen are tiring to the eyes. 9. Reading and desk
area require a high level of general lighting and specific
that is diffuse and glare-less.
10. Outdoor lighting is accomplished by waterproof
floodlights and spotlights. Extensive outdoor lighting
will provide convenience, beauty and safety. Areas that
could be illuminated are the landscaping, game areas,
barbecue area, patio, garden, front of picture window,
pools and driveways.
STEPS IN PREPARING ELECTRICAL PLAN
If the basic floor plan is already drawn, the designer
should:
1. Determine the exact position of all the appliances and
lighting fixtures on the plan.
2. Draw the electrical symbols representing the
switches, outlets and electrical devices on the floor
plan.
3. Draw a line from each switch to the connecting
fixture. 4. Show the position of all outlets and controls
using electrical wiring symbol, however, the entire
circuit is not drawn on the electrical plan.
5. Determine the location of the power source from the
nearest power supply post.
6. Draw the single riser diagram.
7. Determine the number of lighting outlets and other
electrical fixtures and appliances
8. Draw the schedule of loads and determine the size of
wires and conduits.
9. Compute for the total current to determine the size of
service drop and size of wires.
10. Write the electrical construction specification and
general notes.
Single Line/Riser Diagram Layout and Designing, Load
Schedule Computation and Application, Megger
Testing of Electrical Systems
A single-line diagram (SLD), also sometimes called one-
line diagram, is a simplified notation for representing a
single and three-phase power system.
The one-line diagram has its largest application in power
flow studies. Electrical elements such as circuit breakers,
transformers, capacitors, bus bars, and conductors are
shown by standardized schematic symbols. Instead of
representing each of single or three phases with a
separate line or terminal, only one conductor is
represented.
It is a form of block diagram graphically depicting the
paths for power flow between entities of the system.
Elements on the diagram do not represent the physical
size or location of the electrical equipment, but it is a
common convention to organize the diagram with the
same left-to-right, top-to-bottom sequence as the
switchgear or other apparatus represented. A one-line
diagram can also be used to show a high-level view of
conduit runs for a PLC control system.
Schedule of loads
-are just a summary of data to easily identify and
facilitate the necessary values and equipment rating to
be used in any electrical installation.
Any data given in the schedule of loads were backed by
calculation based on a well settled electrical principles
and code requirements.
Merge Testing
The Megger test is a method of testing making use of an
insulation tester resistance meter that will help to verify
the condition of electrical insulation. Insulation
resistance quality of an electrical system degrades with
time, environment condition i.e. temperature, humidity,
moisture and dust particles.
Megohmmeter
Megohmmeter or insulation resistance tester is a special
type of ohmmeter used to measure the electrical
resistance of insulators. Insulating components, for
example cable jackets, must be tested for their
insulation strength at the time of commissioning and as
part of maintenance of high voltage electrical
equipment and installations.
For this purpose, megohmmeters, which can provide
high DC voltages (typically in ranges from 500 V to 5 kV,
some are up to 15 kV) at specified current capacity, are
used. Acceptable insulator resistance values are
typically 1 to 10 megohms, depending on the standards
referenced..
Safety test and response
1. 1.High Voltage Test (Dielectric Voltage-
withstand Test)
2. Insulation Resistance Test
3. Earth Continuity Test
4. Leakage Current Test (Line Leakage Test)
5. Electrical Installation Condition Report
High Voltage Test (Dielectric Voltage-withstand Test)
This test is carried out by applying a significantly higher
than operating voltage to the device under test. In this
test, the insulation of a product, stressed to a greater
extent than under normal operating conditions, should
not be breached for the product to pass. In most cases,
the device is stressed to twice its normal operating
voltage.
During type testing, i.e. testing during designing a
product or for a double insulated product, however,
much larger voltage may be applied. For all electrical
products, the high voltage test is a universal test,
meaning that every unit should pass before it can be
used.
Insulation Resistance Test
This test is to measure the total resistance of a product's
insulation by applying a voltage of 500 V - 1000 V for
low voltage systems. The acceptable value of resistance
for a product to pass an insulation resistance test is
relative. They can be quite different for one motor or
machine tested three days in a row, yet not mean bad
insulation.
What really matters is the trend in readings over a time
period, showing lessening resistance and warning of
coming problems. The insulation resistance test is not a
substitute for the high voltage test.
Many standards and safety agencies have specified this
is a universal test for all products. This test may also be
carried out after every maintenance procedure or repair.
Earth Continuity Test
This test is performed by measuring the resistance
between the third pin (ground) and outside metal body
of the product under test. The maximum acceptable
value is generally 0.5 ohms although certain standards
may specify 0.1 ohms. This test is generally carried out
at a slightly higher current (e.g. 25-60 A) so that the
ground bond circuit maintains safe voltages on the
chassis of the product, even at a high current, before
the circuit breaker trips.

This test is essential so that the product does not cause

an electric shock resulting from insulation failure.

Leakage Current Test (Line Leakage Test)

This test is to measure the undesirable leakage current

that flows through or across the surface of the
insulation or the dielectric of a capacitor. This test is
generally carried out at 100%-110% of the rated input
voltage of the product under test. The maximum
acceptable limit of a leakage current is generally 210
micro amperes. At first, this test was mandatory for
medical devices only.

Electrical Installation Condition Report

The competent person will then issue an Electrical

Installation Condition Report (EICR), also known as
Periodic Inspection and Testing Report (PIR), detailing
any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous
conditions and any non-compliances with the current
safety standard which might give rise to danger.