ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION

AND
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATIONS SPECIFICATION

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REQUIREMENTS OF A SOUND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

1.0 DEFINITION OF COMMON TERMS (I.E.E Wiring Regs; 16th ed.)

1.1 Accessory - a device other than current using equipment which is associated with such equipment or with
the wiring of an installation.

1.2 Appliance - an item of current using equipment.

1.3 Bonding conductor – A protective conductor providing equipotential bonding.

1.4 Circuit protective conductor (cpc) - A protective conductor connecting exposed conductive parts of
equipment to the main earthing terminal.

1.5 Earth Electrode - a conductor or group of conductors in intimate contact with, and providing an electrical
connection to earth.

1.6 Earthing – the act of connecting the exposed conductive parts of an installation to the main earthing
terminal of an installation.
1.7 Earthing Conductor (previously known as the Earthing Lead) - connects the consumer’s main earthing
terminal to the earth electrode. This is the most important part of the safety system and care must be taken to
ensure that it will not be broken or disconnected.
1.8 Equipotential Bonding – electrical connection intended to ensure that exposed conductive parts and
extraneous conductive parts are at the same potential.

1.9 Exposed conductive Part – a conductive part of equipment which can be touched and which is not a a live
part but can become live under fault conditions eg. metalwork of electrical equipment and includes conduit etc.

1.10 Extraneous Conductive Part – a conductive part liable to transmit a potential including earth potential but
not forming part of an electrical installation eg. metalwork of gas and water services.

1.11 Live Part – a conductor or conductive part intended to be energized in normal use including a neutral
conductor, but by convention not a PEN conductor.

1.12 Main Equipotential Bonding Conductor – a protective conductor that connects the consumer’s main
earthing terminal to the metalwork of gas or water services of an installation and should be as close as possible
to their point of entry to the building. The minimum c.s.a should not be less than half that of the earthing
conductor subject to a minimum c.s.a of 6.0 sq. mm and a maximum c.s.a of 25 sq. mm for copper conductors.

1.13 Protective Conductor – a conductor used for some measures of protection against electric shock and
intended for connecting any of the following parts: exposed conductive parts, extraneous conductive parts, main
earthing terminal, earth electrode(s).

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2.0 WORKMANSHIP
Workmanship can be defined as the quality of work done by someone.
Good Workmanship is achieved through:
- use of correct tools and materials.
- knowledge and compliance of wiring rules and regulations (I.E.E, SAZ & ZESA).
- keeping tools, work, and work area neat and clean (good housekeeping).
- observing safety.

3.0 SERVICE
3.1 Overhead
- only dwellings that are 30 metres or less from a service pole shall be considered for overhead service.
- semi-detached metered points shall have separate mains service arrangement i.e. separate pull-on-points and
weatherdacs.
- size of weatherdac shall be 16 x 10 x 16mm2.

3.2 Underground (Steel wire armoured cable)

- shall be considered where overhead service cable exceeds standard length: 30 metres and 15 metres for low
density and high density respectively.
- a protective cable guard in the form of fabricated metal channeling or steel pipe of suitable diameter shall be
used to provide mechanical protection where the cable emerges from the ground.
- where one of the cores cannot be used as a protective conductor, a separate copper earth wire, appropriately
rated for the size of cable in use shall be run alongside the steel wire armoured cable. (steel wire armouring
shall not be relied on as the sole protective conductor).
- steel wire armoured cables shall be terminated using the correct size and type of glands.

4.0 PULL-ON-POINT
- a bobbin type insulator and D-iron shall be mounted on an angle iron 3 metres or more above ground
level to give good clearance.
- minimum size of angle iron shall be 40 x 40 x 5mm.
- the angle iron should be supported to the wall with at least two through bolts and nuts with suitable
washers and shall be galvanized or of mild steel and painted silver. (minimum diameter of the bolts shall be
10mm).
- if the angle iron is to pass through the roof sheets then an opening just enough to accommodate the
iron shall be neatly cut through the roof sheets. The hole must then be sealed off with suitable
waterproofing compound. The ends of the bolts protruding into the inside of the building shall be cut to size
and buried in plaster.
- the angle iron shall be earthed and positioned in such a way that it faces the nearest service pole and
that the weatherdac does not cross over the roof.

5.0 METER BOARD

- shall be mounted at 1.7 metres above ground level.
(NB: This measurement is from ground level to the centre of the board)
- must be firmly secured to the wall by four rawl bolts.
- should be non-flammable and weatherproof.
- shall not be mounted directly above a water tap or sink.
- every meter shall be accessible to ZEDC officials at all times.
- the board for mounting the Authority’s metering equipment shall be 10mm thick asbestos
cement tap board with four mounting holes that accept 75mm studs with full thread.

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- all conduit entries shall be bottom or back entry.
- the exit point for swan neck service conductors shall have a minimum clearance from ground level of
at least 3 metres.
- the meter board and the distribution board shall be linked by a 25mm steel or pvc conduit pipe fitted
with couplings and bushes/nipples at both ends.
- all the earth wires (earthing conductor, service earth and the earth wire from the meter board to the
d.b.) shall be separately lugged and terminated onto an earth terminal provided in the meter board.
(the earth terminal shall preferably be a 6mm verandah bolt and nut).

6.0 DISTRIBUTION BOARD

- shall be mounted at 1.8 metres above the finished floor level.
(NB: This measurement is from the finished floor level to the centre of the board)
- shall be flush or surface mounted.
- shall be accessible at all times. (preferred location would be in the kitchen or passage).
- shall not be mounted over or within 300mm laterally of a cooker or within 1.2
metres of a tap/sink or in a toilet or bathroom.
- shall have a clearly labeled designation card identifying all the circuits contained therein.
Alternatively labels printed on durable material shall be pasted with an adhesive solution onto the
d.b. cover.
- shall not be mounted directly above a water tap, sink or cooker.
- the neutral and earth must be separate i.e. all neutrals shall be terminated onto the neutral bar and
all earths shall be terminated onto the earth terminal/bar.
- shall accommodate all existing circuits and have provision for future additions or expansion.
- circuit breakers shall be arranged in order of size from left to right, starting with the highest rated
(mains).

Fig 6.0.1 Typical D.B. wiring

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7.0 EARTHING OF CONSUMER’S INSTALLATIONS
7.1 Service Mains
If the installation is to be serviced by an overhead cable (weatherdac), the 25mm goose necked conduit that
accommodates the mains live and neutral shall also have a 16 or 10sq.mm copper earth wire. For supplies by
underground cable a separate earth wire (16sq.mm copper) shall be run alongside the supply cable.

7.2 Earth Electrode

Each dwelling shall have a copper earth spike or copper earth mat installed in close proximity to the meter
board. The length of the earth rod shall not be less than 1.2 metres and the earth mat shall not be less than one
metre in diameter. The earth mat hole shall be 2 metres deep x 1.5 metres in diameter. Galvanised and copper
earth rods shall have a minimum diameter of 16mm and 12mm respectively.

The earth electrode clamp shall be left exposed 50mm above ground and enclosed in brickwork construction or
110mm asbestos or pvc pipe. (see photos below)

Fig 7.2.1 Earth electrode installation

7.3 Earthing Conductor

The earthing conductor shall have a minimum c.s.a of 16 sq.mm copper conductor and should run through a 20
mm BE steel conduit or galvanized pipe. (pvc conduit will not be allowed). The conduit shall be fixed to the
meter board by way of coupling and male brass bush and evenly saddled to the wall. The earthing conductor
shall be protected by conduit to a depth of 150mm below the ground.

Aluminium cables must not be used as earthing conductors in case they are subjected to electrolytic corrosion.

7.4 Main equipotential bonding conductor

The Main Equipotential Bonding Conductor shall have a c.s.a of 10 sq.mm copper (minimum) and should run
from the earth electrode clamp to the mains for water or gas services. Good electrical contact shall be ensured
by cleaning the pipes at the point of connection i.e. any paintwork shall be removed before connection is made.
Perforated copper bonding strap and bolts and nuts shall be used for fixing the protective conductor to the pipe.
The connection at the water main service pipe entering the building shall be made 100mm above the ground
and shall be left exposed for inspection.

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7.5 Equipotential Bonding
All water pipes, including waste water pipes i.e. gutters and down pipes etc, shall be bonded together and to
earth using 12mm copper bonding strap perforated with 5mm holes to accept fixing screws or bolts. Ensure
good electrical continuity at points where pipes join by securing bonding strap across the joints.

Steel water pipe networks linked by pvc pipes shall be interconnected by a copper earth conductor not less than
10mm2 in c.s.a.
7.6 Supplementary Bonding
Use perforated copper bonding strap or copper earth wire of 4.0 sq.mm c.s.a to bond the kitchen sink to earth.
A hole to accept a bolt for the earth connection shall be neatly drilled on the edge and the connection done on
the underside of the sink.

8.0 CONDUIT WORK

8.1 Requirements for Both Steel and P.V.C Conduit
Steel or p.v.c conduit may be used for household installations. Installations can be flush or surface. All conduit
accessories and fittings shall be of the material compatible with the material of the conduit.

For flush installations horizontal chases of more than two metres in length will not be permitted. Conduits to
flush wall mounted points shall be brought vertically down the walls from the ceiling in neat chases in the
brickwork cut to a depth just adequate to accommodate the conduit.

Chasing or cutting into the sides of structural concrete beams and columns is not allowed.
No more than two 90 degree bends or their equivalent are permitted between draw in boxes which in any case
shall be at intervals of not more than 15 metres in any conduit run. This requirement helps to facilitate drawing
in of cables. The requirement may be relaxed for short runs and less number of cables being drawn.

The inner radius of any bend in a conduit shall not be less than two and half times the external diameter of the
conduit. When drawing in cables a little slack should be left in draw boxes to facilitate rewiring and to relieve
tension in cables.

Conduit runs shall be made in such a way that no other conductors other than those for lighting shall pass
through round boxes for fixing light fittings and/or light switch boxes. i.e. no socket outlet conductors shall pass
through light points and light switch boxes.

Conduits for fluorescent and bulk head light fittings shall be run in such a way that no conductors will pass
through the fitting, only conductors feeding power to the fitting shall enter the fitting and be terminated onto
the provided terminal block or lamp holder terminals. Heat resistant sleeving shall be provided on the
connection cable tails for lamp holders.

8.2 Steel Conduit Systems

Steel conduit shall either be galvanized or black enameled. Where it is exposed to weather the conduit shall be
painted with either silver or aluminium paint. Where there is dampness galvanized conduit shall be used.

Saddling should be even and spacing should be 1.8 metres.

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No loose joints and exposed threads (except on running couplers) shall be permitted. Loose joints may allow
moisture to accumulate or allow corrosive fumes to attack the joint. The use of a union can alleviate the need
for a running coupler.
Imperfections brought about by pipe vice marks and use of running couplers may be made good by painting with
bituminous paint. All conduits should have a smooth bore, any rough internal edges created by cutting shall be
removed by a purpose-made reamer.

8.3 P.V.C Conduit Systems

P.V.C conduit or trunking shall not be used for surface installations in garages, workshops or areas where it will
be exposed to direct sunlight.

All joints in p.v.c conduit shall be made with suitable couplings and nipples and bonded with p.v.c solvent
cement.

For surface installations the spacing of saddles shall be 1.0 metre. No kinks shall be permitted – bending of
conduit can be assisted by the use of a blow lamp, use of a piece of cloth soaked in hot water or sand bath.
For surface installations PVC conduits shall not extend below 1200mm above finished floor level. Should any
electrical outlet be required below this level, then the outlet should be installed flush, or steel conduit pipe
should be used. (p.79: “Handbook on electrical Installations…”)
When drawing in of cables becomes difficult a smear of liquid paraffin can be applied to the cables.
9.0 DISTRIBUTION BOARD
Can be flush or surface mounted at 1800mm above a finished floor level. The consumer’s main protection shall
be a 60A circuit breaker (isolators will not be allowed) and shall be of the same type as those protecting the sub-
circuits.

10.0 THE KITCHEN

Stoves shall not be installed directly below the distribution board, prepayment meter, or cooker control unit.
(p.135: “Handbook on electrical Installations…”)

10.1 Socket outlets

Only 13A socket outlets shall be permitted in Domestic Premises. Loading in the kitchen may require
consideration to be given to the provision of a separate socket outlet circuit (ring or radial). Mounting height
shall be 1400mm above the finished floor level OR 200mm above a working surface for both flush and surface
installations.

10.2 Cooker Control

The cooker control unit shall incorporate a 13 amp switched socket outlet and mounted at 1400mm above the
finished floor level and must be within 2 metres of the cooker. For a split level cooker with hot plates and oven
widely separated a common central switch can only be used if both appliances are within 2 metres of the switch.

The conduit work servicing the cooker shall terminate 300mm above the finished floor level in a conduit end-box
with dome cover and one metre of 20mm sprague tubing c/w connectors and locknut. The end–box shall be
offset by at least one metre, measured laterally of the ccu. The cooker wires shall have slack of at least 300mm
protruding from the end of the sprague tube and shall be left insulated.

For pvc surface installations the section of the conduit work and accessories below the ccu shall be steel.
Alternatively a semi-flush conduit installation may be considered for the same.

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11.0 BATHROOM
All exposed conductive parts shall be bonded together and to earth with a copper conductor of not less than 4.0
sq.mm in c.s.a

No fixed wall switches or fixed heaters must be installed where they are within reach of a person using a bath or
shower. Pull cord switches may be installed. Wall light switches should preferably be installed outside the
bathroom close to the entrance. Lamp holders of fittings in a bath or shower cubicle shall be shrouded or
enclosed (water-tight).

No provision must be made for portable appliances other than a shaver socket to BS 3052 i.e. no socket outlet
may be installed. A separate circuit, protected by a 5A circuit breaker shall be considered for the shaver outlet.

12.0 GEYSER
Conduit work shall terminate in a 20A d.p. isolator (mounted within one metre of the geyser), 20mm dome
cover, one metre of 20mm Sprague tube complete with Sprague connectors and lock nut.

For ceiling mounted geysers the 20A d.p isolator shall be mounted one metre above the ceiling floor on vertical
roof timber and within one metre of the geyser it controls.

Kitchen mounted geysers should not be within reach of a person using a sink.

Should the geyser be mounted in the bathroom or shower, the geyser and its associated equipment shall not be
within reach of a person using the bath or shower. The d.p. isolator shall be mounted at a high level wall (2m
above finished floor level) external but close to the bathroom or shower.

13.0 GARAGE
Where the garage stands separate from the main building the requirements shall be as follows:
The garage shall have a single phase 4 way d.b surface or flush mounted at a height of 1800mm above the
finished floor level. The board must be metal clad and shall contain the following:
- 1 x 30A s.p mcb for the mains
- 1 x 20A s.p mcb for the sso’s
- 1 x 5A s.p mcb for lighting
- 1 x spare way c/w blank
- 1 x insulated neutral bar
- 1 x earth bar/terminal
The garage d.b. shall be fed from a 30A s.p. mcb located in the the main d.b. Service cables shall have a
minimum c.s.a of 4.0 sq.mm single core pvc insulated cables or swac.

Socket outlets shall be mounted at a height of 1400mm above the finished floor level OR 200mm above a
working surface.

14.0 SOCKET OUTLETS

Socket outlet circuits can be ring or radial.

A single radial circuit protected by 20A s.p. mcb shall serve a maximum number of four sockets. A single ring
circuit protected by a 30A s.p. mcb shall serve a maximum number of six socket outlets. (Socket outlets can be
single or double)

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Sockets shall be mounted at 450mm above finished floor level for flush installations (except the kitchen, where
they are mounted at 1400mm above finished floor level for both flush and surface installations) and 1400mm for
surface installations.

15.0 LIGHTING
All lighting conduits are to terminate in a round conduit box at the light point. (see photos). For ceiling mounted
light points the round conduit box should be flush with the underside of the ceiling. Switch boxes shall be
mounted at a height of 1400mm above the finished floor level and can be flush or surface.

All metal clad luminaries/lamp holders must be earthed i.e. all brass lamp holders, fluorescent light fittings etc,
must be earthed. In premises where ceiling has been fitted lamp holders shall not be fixed directly onto the
ceiling board but shall be spaced by wood, fire resistant material or by a break metal joint ring. The spacers are
meant to cover the hole cut into the ceiling board to accept a conduit box and also to prevent further damage to
the ceiling e.g. during repairs.

The lamp holder must be secured by two screws that go into their provision in the conduit box and not secured
onto ceiling board. When fixing light fittings (including fluorescent fittings) cover strips may need to be cut.
When this is required the cover strips must be neatly cut to accept the light fitting. All fluorescent light fittings
are to be fixed on timber in the roof space above the ceiling. Where there are no timbers a contractor shall
arrange for the same to be installed for the purpose of supporting fittings as well as ‘boxing’ of all ceiling
mounted light points. (see photos below).

Fig 15.0.1 Boxing of light points

No wiring shall be run through fluorescent light fittings. Only power supply cables shall terminate at the fitting.
A single lighting circuit protected by a 5A s.p. mcb shall serve a maximum number of 10 points.
16.0 AIR CONDITIONERS
Air conditioner ccts shall terminate in a 20A d.p. isolator mounted at 1400mm above the finished floor level, end
box, dome cover and gripper gland (for accepting a/c flexible cord). The conduit end box and dome cover shall
be mounted within 500mm of the a/c.

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17.0 TELEPHONE AND SIGNAL POINTS
Telephone outlets and signal points shall be mounted at 300mm above finished floor level. 86 x 86mm MK or
similar boxes shall be used. A 100 x 100mm adaptable box c/w cover shall be mounted at 2500mm above
ground level, under the roof eaves to accept telephone mains cables. 20mm conduit shall be used between the
adaptable box and the telephone outlet.

18.0 CEILING MOUNTED FAN POINTS

A single fan circuit shall terminate in a regulator or controller and protected by a 5A single pole breaker. The fan
controller shall be mounted at 1400mm above finished floor level and may be placed adjacent to a light switch
to minimize conduit runs.

19.0 STAND-BY GENERATORS

A changeover switch shall be installed on all generators or plant meant to supply power to equipment in the
event of mains failure. The switch shall have 3 clearly marked selectable positions i.e. GEN-SET, OFF, ZESA.

The changeover switch shall be mounted close to the d.b. If the d.b is located indoors, generator supply cables
shall be enclosed in a suitable enclosure that leads to the outside. A socket outlet, preferably a nova socket shall
be installed to accept the stand-by plant power cord.

Fig 19.0.1 Single phase stand-by generator wiring

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 TABLES
1.0 Maximum capacities of conduits
Table 1.1
csa of conductor diameter of conduit (mm)
(sq.mm) 20 25
1.5 8 14
2.5 6 10
4 4 8

2.0 Types of Circuits and Conductor Sizes For Domestic Installations

Table 2.1 Socket Outlets
Conductor Mcb rating Max no. of
Circuit
size(sq.mm) (A) sso’s
Ring 2.5 30 6
Radial 2.5 20 4
Radial 4.0 30 6

Table 2.2 Other circuits

Conductor mcb rating Max no.
Circuit
Size(sq.mm) (A) of points
Cooker 6.0 30 1
Geyser 2.5 15 1
20 1
A/con 4.0
(type 3)
Lights 1.5 5 10
Fan 1.5 5 1

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 3.0 Recommended number of sso’s in Domestic Premises
Table 3.1
No. of
Room
sso’s
Kitchen 2 to 4
Living Room 3
Dining Room 2
Double Bedroom 2
Single Bedroom 2
Study/Bedroom 2
Single Bed sitting Room 2
Landing/Stairs 1
Hall 1
Garage 2
Garage/Laundry 3
Store/Workroom -

*Each sso can be single or 2 gang switched and shuttered

*Size of room and loading of ccts may determine the no. of sso’s to be installed

4.0 Sizes of Protective Conductors

Table 4.1
Conductor size
Application
(sq.mm)
Mains (swan neck) 16 or 10
Earthing conductor 16
Main equipotential bonding conductor 10
Supplementary bonding conductor 4
(kitchen sink)

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COMMON DEFECTS FOUND ON ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Consumer Intake & Metering Point

1. not using crimping lugs on earth conductors in meter board.

2. earth conductors left unconnected in meter board.
3. Use of copper coated aluminum conductors as earthing conductors.
4. earth spike not exposed for inspection.
5. using materials that do not meet set specifications (e.g. p.o.p angle iron, earth rods etc).
6. pull-on-point angle iron not supported by through bolts (supported by rawl bolts).
7. not tightening bolts and nuts that secure pull on point angle iron.
8. pull-on-point mounted at less than 3m and not facing the nearest L.T. reticulation pole.
9. poor clearance between mains conductors leaving the swan neck and the roof.

Earthing
1. kitchen sink not bonded to earth
2. water pipes not effectively bonded to earth
3. loose bushes on 25mm sawn-neck and 20mm earthing conductor steel conduit pipes
4. failing to earth metal clad accessories e.g. brass lamp holders
5. not using crimping lugs on earth conductors in d.b
6. loose earth terminals (d.b & meter board)

Wiring

1. loose connections (esp in d.b.)

2. wrong polarity in cooker control unit (mains cables connected to the load terminals)
3. cutting of strands when terminating jumpers or mains cables (especially the neutral) in d.b
4. joining of conductors
5. using wrong size conductors (for cooker cct & using 1.5mm2 conductor as earth wire)
6. sso conductors passing through light switch boxes
7. wrong polarity on sso’s
8. continuity test failures (sso’s, lighting points)
9. installing an isolator in d.b instead of an mcb

Conduit Work
1. loose pvc joints - failure to use pvc solvent cement when working with pvc conduit
2. kinked bends on pvc and steel conduit (not using purpose-made benders when bending conduits)
3. using exposed pvc conduit for housing the earthing conductor instead of steel conduit
4. loose bushes on 25mm sawn-neck and 20mm earthing conductor conduit pipes
5. not using nipples/bushes & couplings where necessary when working with conduit (flaring of conduit at
meter board end)

Workmanship
1. missing designation cards or labels on d.b cover to identify ccts.
2. not blanking off spare ways on d.b covers.
3. light switches installed upside down.
4. missing screws for d.b cover.
5. installation of non-water tight light fittings in bathrooms and outside.

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6. missing covers for round conduit boxes.
7. failure to provide supports for conduit in roof spaces.
8. sso’s, lampholders and switches plastered in wall.
9. using wrong colour codes for cables.
10. wrong mounting heights of accessories in kitchen especially socket outlets.
11. using wooden fisher plugs.
12. accessories not straight and level.
13. failing to box ceiling mounted light points.
14. failing to use locknuts on cooker sprague connectors.
15. not using nipples/bushes & couplings where necessary when working with conduit (flaring of conduit at
meter board end).

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