AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE: ELECTRIC SERVICES DESIGN

COURSE LECTURER: ENGR. D.E.ABAH

LECTURE 1

2/9/2022 1
 Introduction
• Module I
LOW VOLTAGE (LV): Energy supply and distribution. Types and choice of cables and conductors. Wiring systems
and accessories. Outdoor low-voltage lines and cables. Protection of low-voltage installations. Characteristics of low-
voltage equipment. Earthing and testing of electrical installation. Illumination design. Typical services design showing
illumination design cable sizing and rating, MCB, ELCB and switchgear ratings and sizing, load balancing costing etc.

Module II
• Transformer substation design and installation guides; NEMSA codes and guidelines for installations of MV panel
designs. Street lighting design. Solar installation design (panel sizing, inverters, batteries, charge controllers selection).
Introduction to software applications for services and installation design (e.g. AutoCAD, DIAlux software, e.t.c.).
Understanding and interpretation of architectural layouts and building plans.

Module III
• Auxiliary Installation: Fire alarm system, CCTV system

2/9/2022 2
 Reference Material

1. Electrical Installation Estimation and costing by J. B. Gupta

2/9/2022 3
 Distribution System

A.C power transmission is always at high voltage and mostly by 3-phase

system. The use of single-phase system is limited to single phase electric
machinery. Single-phase power transmission is used only for short distances
and for relatively low voltages.

2/9/2022 4
 Distribution System cont…
The distribution system begins either at the sub-station where power is delivered by over-head
transmission lines and stepped down by transformers or in some cases at the generating station
itself. Where a large area is involved, primary and secondary distributions may be used.

Distribution system of A.C power

1. Single-phase, 2-wire system
2. Single-phase, 3-wire system
3. Two-phase, 3-wire system
4. Two-phase, 4-wire system
5. Three-phase, 3-wire system
6. Three-phase, 4-wire system

2/9/2022 5
 Distribution System cont…

Single-phase, 2-wire system

In Figure 1a, one of the two wires is earthed whereas in figure1b mid-point
of the phase winding is earthed

2/9/2022 6
 Distribution System cont…

Single-phase, 3-wire system

The single-phase, 3 wire system is identical in principle with the 3-wire d.c
system. As shown in Figure 2, the third wire or neutral is connected to the
center of the transformer secondary and earthed for protecting personnel
from electric shock should the transformer insulation break down or the
secondary main contact high voltage wire.

2/9/2022 7
 Distribution System cont…

Two-phase, 3-wire system

The system is still in used at some places. The third wire is taken from the
junction of the two-phase windings I and II, whose voltages are in
quadrature with each other as shown in figure 3. if the voltage between the
third or neutral wire and either of the two wires is V, then the voltage
between the outer wires is root 2 as shown.

2/9/2022 8
 Distribution System cont…

Two-phase, 4-wire system

As shown in figure 4, the four wire are taken from the ends of the two-
phase windings and mid-points of the windings are connected together. As
before, the voltage of the two windings are in quadrature with each other
and the junction point may or may not be earthed. If voltage between the
two wires of a phase winding be V, the voltage between one wire of phase I
and one wire of phase II is 0.707 V.

2/9/2022 9
 Distribution System cont…

Three-phase, 3-wire system

Three-phase systems are used extensively. The 3-wire system may be delta-
connected or star connected whose star point is usually earthed. The voltage
between lines is V in delta-connection and root 3 V in case of star
connection where V is the voltage of each phase as shown in figure 5a and
5b respectively.

2/9/2022 10
 Distribution System cont…

Three-phase, 4-wire system

The 4th or neutral wire is taken from the star point of the star-connection as
shown if Figure 6 and is of half the cross-section of the outers or line
conductors. If V is the voltage of each winding, then line voltage is root 3 V.
Ususally, phase voltage i.e voltage between any outer and neutral for a
symmetrical system is 230 V so that the voltage between any two lines or
outer is root 3 x 230 = 400 V.

2/9/2022 11
 Distribution System cont…

Three-phase, 4-wire system

Single-phase residential lighting loads or single-phase motors which run on
230 V are connected between the neutral and any one of the line wires.
These loads are connected symmetrically so that line wires are loaded
equally. Hence, the resultant current in the neutral wire is zero or at least
minimum. The three phase induction motor requiring higher voltages of 400
V or so as put across the lines directly.

2/9/2022 12
 Distribution System cont…

The distribution system maybe the divided into

➢Feeders
➢Distributors
➢Sub-distributors and service mains.
Feeders are the conductors which connect the sub-station (in some cases the
generating station) to the distributors serving a certain allotted area.

From distributors various tappings are taken.

2/9/2022 13
 Distribution System cont…

The connecting link between the distributors and the consumers terminals
are the service mains.

The essential difference between a feeder and a distributor is that whereas

the current loading of a feeder is the same throughout its length, the
distributor has a distributed loading which results in variations of current
along its entire length. In order words, no direct tappings are taken from a
feeder to a consumer’s premises.

2/9/2022 14
 Distribution System cont…
In early days, radial distribution of
tree-system type as shown was
used. In this system, a number of
independent feeders branch out
radially from a common source of
supply i.e a sub-station or
generating station.

The distribution transformers were

connected to the taps along the
length of the feeders.
Radial Distribution Ring Distribution

2/9/2022 15
 Distribution System cont…
Disadvantages of the radial
distribution
1. Consumers depend on one
feeders only
2. No absolute guarantee of
continuous power supply.

To maintain continuity of service,

ring-main distributor (R.M.D)
system as shown is employed
universally.

2/9/2022 16
 Wiring System

A network of wires connecting various accessories for distribution of

electrical energy from the supplier meter board to the numerous electrical
energy consuming devices such as lamps, fans and other domestic
appliances through controlling and safety devices is known as a wiring
system.

Systems of Distribution of Electrical Energy

1. Distribution board system
2. Tree System

2/9/2022 17
 Wiring System cont….

Methods of wiring
1. Joint box or Tee System
2. Loop-in System

Types of wiring system

1. Surface wiring
2. Conduit wiring

2/9/2022 18
 Wiring System cont….

Choice of wiring systems

It is certain that the success or failure of a wiring installation depends very
largely on the proper selection of the type of wiring, size and position of
light/fan points.

The choice of any wiring system for a particular installation should be based
on technical and economic considerations.

2/9/2022 19
 Wiring System cont….
In general the following factors should be considered
1. Safety: It is one of the important factors to be considered. Sometimes
poor workmanship may lead to dangerous results. The first and foremost
consideration is safety to the person using electricity against leakage and
shock.
2. Durability: The type of wiring to be selected must be durable and it
must be of proper specifications and also in accordance with assessed
life and type of building.
3. Appearance: The wiring must provide a good look after its installation.

2/9/2022 20
 Wiring System cont….
4. Mechanical Protection: The wiring must be protected from mechanical during
its use.
5. Permanency: The wiring must not deteriorate unduly by action of weather,
fumes and dampness etc.
6. Accessibility: In a selected wiring system there should be facilities for
extension, renewal or alterations.
7. Initial cost: The initial cost of the wiring system to be selected is one of the
main points to be considered. The wiring system selected should be safe as well
as economical.
8. Maintenance cost: The wiring system selected should have, as far as possible,
low maintenance cost

2/9/2022 21