ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Types of Electrical
System
What is an Electrical System

 An electrical system is a utility that provides electricity which is composed of one

or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to
provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal.

 Systems differ around the world - both in voltage and less critically, frequency.
The physical interface (plugs and sockets) are also different and often
incompatible.
Two main types of Electrical System

 100-127 volt, at 60 hertz frequency

 North and Central Americas, Western Japan
 Occasionally, you will find 100-127 volts at 50 Hz, such as in Tokyo, Madagascar, and
some Caribbean islands
 220-240 volt, at 50 hertz frequency
 the rest of the world, with some exceptions
 there's 220-240 volts at 60 Hz, such as in South Korea, Peru, Philippines some states of
Brazil and Guyana
What is volt and frequency

 The volt is a measure of electric potential. Electrical potential is a type of potential

energy, and refers to the energy that could be released if electric current is allowed
to flow.

 Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is

the number of complete cycles per second in alternating current direction
Plugs and adapters
 Examples

 Wiring in houses
 Motors
 Hydroelectric plants
 Transmission system
 Batteries
BASICS OF ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
 Utility Current Flow
Electrons leaving a power supply are always trying to return to the same power
supply; they are not trying to go into the earth. When alternating current is applied
to the primary of a transformer, it induces a voltage in the secondary. This induced
secondary voltage causes electrons to leave one end of the transformer’s
secondary, travel over the circuit’s conductors through the load and return over
the remaining circuit’s conductors to the other end of the transformer’s secondary.
Utility Neutral Current Path
The electric utility grounds the primary and secondary neutral conductor to the
earth at multiple locations to create a parallel path so as to reduce the impedance
of the return neutral current path. This multipoint grounded utility neutral helps in
reducing primary utility neutral voltage drop, the clearing of utility line-to-neutral
faults and in reducing elevated line-to-ground voltages caused by ground faults.
Utility Ground-Fault Current Path

Metal parts of the electric utility equipment (transformer and capacitor cases, guy
wires, luminaires, etc.) are grounded to the earth and bonded to the grounded
(neutral) conductor to provide a low-impedance parallel path for the purpose of
clearing a line-to-case ground fault. If the utility grounded (neutral) conductor is
inadvertently opened, the earth itself should still have sufficiently low impedance to
permit sufficient fault current to flow to blow the fuse, thereby clearing the high-
voltage ground fault.
Premises Ground-Fault Current Path

Metal parts of premises wiring are bonded to a low-impedance path designed and
intended to carry fault current from the point of a line-to-case fault on a wiring
system to the grounded (neutral) conductor at the electrical supply source. This low-
impedance fault-current path
Premises Neutral Current Path

Neutral current should only flow on the grounded (neutral) conductor, not on metal
parts of the electrical installation
 WIRE
 Wire is a single electrical conductor. Whether indoors or
outdoors, proper wire and cable installation is of paramount
importance - ensuring a smooth electricity supply, as well as
passing electrical inspections. Each wire and cable needs to be
installed carefully, from the fuse box to the outlets, fixtures and
appliances. 
 Size of Wires
Each application requires a certain wire size for installation,
and the right size for a specific application is determined by the
wire gauge. Common wire sizes are 10, 12 and 14 – a higher
number means a smaller wire size, and affects the amount of
power it can carry. For example, a low-voltage lamp cord with
10 Amps will require 18-gauge wire, while service panels or
subpanels with 100 Amps will require 2-gauge wire.
 Wire Lettering
The letters THHN, THWN, THW and XHHN represent the
main insulation types of individual wires. These letters depict
the following NEC requirements:.

T – Thermoplastic insulation
H – Heat resistance
HH – High heat resistance (up to 194°F)
W – Suitable for wet locations
N – Nylon coating, resistant to damage by oil or gas
X – Synthetic polymer that is flame-resistant
 Color Codes
Black : Hot wire, for switches or outlets.

Red : Hot wire, for switch legs. Also for connecting wire between 2
hardwired smoke detectors.

Blue and Yellow : Hot wires, pulled in conduit. Blue for 3-4 way
switch application, and yellow for switch legs to control fan, lights
etc.

White : Always neutral.

Green and Bare Copper : Only for grounding.

TYPES OF WIRES
 Triplex wires
Triplex wires are usually used in single-phase service drop
conductors, between the power pole and weather heads. They
are composed of two insulated aluminum wires wrapped with a
third bare wire which is used as a common neutral. The neutral
is usually of a smaller gauge and grounded at both the electric
meter and the transformer.
 Main Feeder wires
Main power feeder wires are the wires that connect the service
weather head to the house. They’re made with stranded or solid
THHN wire and the cable installed is 25% more than the load
required.
 Panel Feed Wires
Panel feed cables are generally black insulated THHN wire.
These are used to power the main junction box and the circuit
breaker panels. Just like main power feeder wires, the cables
should be rated for 25% more than the actual load.
 Non-Metallic Sheathed
Wires
Non-metallic sheath wire, or Romex, is
used in most homes and has 2-3
conductors, each with plastic insulation,
and a bare ground wire. The individual
wires are covered with another layer of
non-metallic sheathing. Since it’s
relatively cheaper and available in
ratings for 15, 20 and 20 amps, this type
is preferred for in-house wiring.
 Single Strand Wires
Single strand wire also uses THHN wire, though there are other
variants. Each wire is separate and multiple wires can be drawn
together through a pipe easily. Single strand wires are the most
popular choice for layouts that use pipes to contain wires.
 Wire Gauge, Ampacity
and Wattage Load
Wire Gauge, Ampacity and Wattage Load – To determine the
correct wire, it is important to understand what ampacity and
wattage a wire can carry per gauge. Wire gauge is the size of the
wire, ampacity is how much electricity can flow through the wire
and wattage is the load a wire can take, which is always mentioned
on the appliances.
 PIPES
An electrical conduit is a tube/pipe used to protect and route
electrical wiring in a building or nonbuilding structure. Electrical
conduit may be made of metal, plastic, fiber, or fired clay. Most
conduit is rigid, but flexible conduit is used for some purposes.
 Types of Metal
Electrical Conduit
 Rigid Metal Conduit
RMC is a thick-walled, threaded
tubing. It is generally made of
coated steel, stainless steel, or
aluminum. The conduit is
connected together by screwing
connectors to the main tubes.
Rigid metal conduit provides
significant protection from impacts
and other damage. It can be used
as a grounding conductor for short
runs, but it is best practice to use
wiring that has a grounding wire.
 Electrical Metallic Tubing
EMT is an unthreaded, thin-wall metal tubing generally made of
coated steel, though it may be made of aluminum. It is a popular
choice for electrical conduit in commercial buildings, but is
generally not used in residential buildings. EMT is connected
together using clamp-type fittings that slide onto the tubing and
then are secured with a set-screw. Electrical Metal Tubing is less
expensive and 40% lighter than GRC.
 Intermediate Metal Conduit
Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) has walls that are thinner than
RMC, but thicker than EMT. Thus the weight of IMC also falls
between RMC and EMT. Intermediate Metal Conduit is threadable,
but it can also be un-threaded and used with clamp-type fittings.
IMC is generally made from steel and can be coated.
 Flexible Metal Conduit
Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is typically available in diameters
between 3/8" and 3", but larger sizes can sometimes be found. It is
made by coiling self-interlocked aluminum or steel strips, which
forms a hollow tube that wires can be pulled through. FMC comes
in a standard wall (sometimes called full wall) thickness or a
reduced wall thickness.
Types of Non-Metal
Electrical Conduit
 Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit
RNC is the lightest conduit available and is generally the least
expensive. Fittings slipped onto the tubing and welded with a
solvent, which is faster than the fittings used in metal conduits. In
addition, the welded joints are water-tight. Plastic conduit can be
heated with special tools so that it can be bent in the field.

RNC Pipe is most commonly available as schedule 40 or schedule

80 pipe, but can also be manufactured in other sizes and wall
thicknesses. It is also available in extra-heavy wall thicknesses for
areas where extra protection is needed; however, thicker walls
make the conduit harder to bend.
 Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
ENT is a thin-walled corrugated tubing that is flexible so it can be
bent without special tools, however it will not permanently hold the
bend. It is easier to install than RNC because it can be routed
around obstructions without cutting and welding the pipe. Special
ENT connectors are used – these are generally snap-in connections
and are not watertight. Liquid-Tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit
(LFNC) is also available for use where the conduit will be
subjected to moisture.
Electrical system
devices and fittings
 CIRCUIT-PROTECTIVE
DEVICES
To protect insulation, wiring, switches, and other
apparatus from the destructive effects of overload and
short-circuit currents, an automatic means for opening
the circuit is required.
 FUSE
 CIRCUIT BREAKER
 Single pole only  Low-to medium interrupting capacity
 Necessity for storage of replacement  Periodic maintenance required
fuses
 High initial cost
 Non renewable (one-time operation)
 Complex construction changes with
 Non adjustable age
 Non-indicating
 No electric or remote control
 Not trip-free
Circuit breaker –In some cases faults can occur in which the current may not
be large enough to melt the fuse but enough to seriously harm the user of the
electrical appliance. For protection against faults of this nature a circuit-
breaker is used in place of a fuse.
 Fuse–a simple device consisting of a fusible link or wire of low melting
temperature that, when enclosed in an insulating fiber tube, is called a
cartridge fuse and, when enclosed in a porcelain cup, is known as a
porcelain cup. Fuse workson the principle of a large current melting the
fuse wire.
TYPES OF OVERHEAD
CABLES
 Bare copper cables –supported on porcelain or glass insulators on cross-
arms; normally used for high-voltage lines (2.4kV or higher)
 Weatherproof cables –generally run on porcelain spool secondary racks
using single conductor; used for low-voltage circuits (600V and below)
 Pre-assembled aerial cables –consists of 3 or 4 insulated cables wrapped
together with a metallic tape and suspended by hooks from poles; used for
voltages of up to 15kV; more economical than cross-arm or rack
installation and more resistant to damage from severe weather conditions
SERVICE EQUIPMENT
 Transformers
 Device that changes or transforms AC current of one
voltage to AC current of another voltage; classified as
step-up or step-down
 May be pole-or pad-mounted outside the building or
installed in a room or vault inside the building
Classification by use:

 Load center transformers are installed in unit substations

 -Distribution transformers are mounted on a pole or on a concrete pad outdoors
 -Substation transformers are large and are always concrete-pad mounted
OTHER CIRCUIT-PROTECTIVE
DEVICES
 Switch boards and switch gears
large free-standing assembly of switches, fuses and/or circuit breakers that
normally provide switching and over-current protection to a number of circuits
connected to a single source
 Panelboards
 An electrical panel that serves essentially the same
function as a switchboard but on a smaller scale, i.e.,
it accepts a relatively large block of power and
distributes it in smaller blocks

 Comprises main buses to which are connected circuit

protective devices that feed smaller circuits; the
panelboard level is usually the final distribution point
 Unit substations
 An assembly comprising a primary voltage switch-and-fuse or circuit
breaker, a step-down transformer, meters, controls, bus ducts, and low-
voltage switchgear
EXPOSED INSULATED CABLES
 cable construction provides the necessary electrical insulation and
mechanical protection
 Assembly of insulated wires bound together and enclosed in a protective
armor made of a spiral-wound interlocking strip of steel tape
 Installed with simple U-clamps or staples holding it against beams, walls,
slab soffits, etc.
Conductors
 STEEL CONDUITS

 Protect the enclosed wiring from mechanical injury

and damage from the surrounding atmosphere
 Provide a grounded metal enclosure for the wiring in
order to avoid shock hazard
 Provide a system ground path
 Protect surroundings against fire hazard as a result of
overheating or arcing of the enclosed conductors
TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS
 Heavy-wall steel conduit, also referred to simply as rigid steel
conduit(RSC); uses threaded fittings
 Intermediate metal conduit, usually referred to as IMC; also uses
threaded fittings as RSC
 Electric metallic tubing normally known as EMT or thin-wall conduit;
due to the thinness of the walls, it uses set-screw and pressure fittings
FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT
 Consists of an empty spirally wound, interlocked
armor steel or aluminum raceway
 Used principally for motor connections and other
locations where vibration is present, where movement
is encountered,
NON-METALLIC CONDUIT
 Must be flame-retardant, tough and resistant to heat
distortion, sunlight, and low-temperature effects
 Has temperature and physical strength limitations
 PVC is the material of choice for indoor exposed use
 A separateground wire must be provided because the
ground provided by the metallic conduit is absent
ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENTS
Electrical Distribution and Protection
Equipment
 Fuses – protects electrical devices and components from
overcurrents and short circuits that occur in improperly
operating circuits. 
 Fuse Holders - are devices for containing, protecting and
mounting fuses. Fuse holders come in two basic types, open
or fully enclosed. Open fuse holder types are fuse clips, fuse
blocks, socket and plug-on cap varieties. The fully enclosed
variety may use a fuse carrier that is inserted into a holder or
have other means to fully enclose the fuse.
 Circuit Breakers - are switching devices capable of making,
carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit
conditions and making, carrying for a specified time, and
breaking current under specified abnormal conditions such
as a short circuit. 
 Intrinsic Safety Barriers - Intrinsic safety barriers are devices that
limit the current, voltage, and total energy delivered to a sensor in
a hazardous area or flammable environment in order to prevent
an explosion. 
 Transfer Switches - Transfer switches transfer electrical power
back and forth between two power systems or buses such as a
utility power line and a back-up motor-generator power supply.
 Terminal Blocks - Terminal blocks are modular, insulated blocks
that secure two or more wires together. Terminal blocks consist
of an insulating body and a clamping device.
 Circuit
Breakers

Fuses

Transfer
Intrinsic Safety Terminal
Switches
Blocks
Switches

 Switches - Switches are devices used to allow electric current to flow

when closed, and when opened, they prevent current flow.
 Emergency Stop Switches - Emergency stop switches are devices that
users manipulate to initiate the complete shutdown of a machine,
system, or process.
 Key lock Switches - Keylock switches are activated by a key that is
turned in a circle and can stop in a range of positions. 
 Pushbutton Switches - Pushbutton switches are mechanical
switches defined by the method used to activate the switch. 
 Thermostats and Thermal Switches - A thermostat is an electro-
mechanical on/off switch that is activated by temperature
changes.
 DIP Switches - Dual in-line package (DIP) switches are
electronic packages that consist of a series of tiny switches.
 Transfer
Switches

Thermal
Switches

Transfer
Switches

Transfer DIP Switches

Switches
Relays

 Solid State Relays - Solid state relays or semiconductor relays (also

called SSRs) are semiconductor devices that can be used in place of
mechanical relays to switch electricity to a load in many applications. 
 Electromechanical Relays - Electromechanical relays are devices that
complete or interrupt a circuit by physically moving electrical contacts
into contact with each other.
Solid State
Relays

Electromechanical
Relays
Wire and Cable Accessories

 Wire and Cable - used to bundle, clip, clamp, label, guide, and protect.
 Cable Assemblies - are collections of wires or cables banded into a
single unit with connectors on at least one end. 
 Cable Clamps - are accessories for wire and cable. 
 Cable Glands - are typically single-cable bulkhead modules that allow
barrier penetration while providing sealing and strain relief.
 Cable Trays - A cable tray system is a unit or assembly of units or
sections and associated fittings forming a rigid structural system
used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.
 Heat Shrink Tubing - Heat shrink tubing conforms to the size and
shape of wires, connections, open coils, and other electrically
conductive elements to insulate and protect them from adverse
environmental conditions. 
 Magnetic Shielding - Magnetic shielding includes products and
raw materials for shielding instruments and equipment from
magnetic fields.
 Cable
Cable Clamps Cable Trays
Assemblies

Magnetic
Heat Shrink Shielding
Tubing
Cable Glands
Power Supplies and Conditioners

 AC Power Sources - provide output often with adjustable ranges of

current, voltage and frequency.
 Electrical Power Generators - are devices that convert mechanical,
chemical, or other forms of energy into electrical energy. 
 Power Conditioners - Power or line conditioners regulate, filter, and
suppress noise in AC power for sensitive computer and other solid state
equipment.
 Power Supplies - are devices that produce AC or DC power.
 UPS - Single Phase - Single phase uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS) sit between an AC outlet (i.e., a wall outlet or power strip)
and an electronic device (such as a computer, server, or phone
equipment) to provide power conditioning, back-up protection
and distribution for electronic equipment loads and to prevent
power disturbances (outages, sags, surges, spikes, noise, etc.)
from affecting the performance and life of the electronic device
and vital data.
 UPS - Three Phase - Three phase uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS) are devices that operate in conjunction with existing
electrical system to provide power conditioning, back-up
protection and distribution for electronic equipment loads and to
prevent power disturbances (outages, sags, surges, spikes, noise,
etc.) from affecting the performance and life of the electronic
device and vital data.
AC power
Sources UPS - three
phase

Electrical
Power
Generator

Power Supply

Power
Conditioners
UPS - single
phase
Transformers

 Power Transformers - convert power-level voltages from one level or

phase configuration to another. 
 Current Transformers - measure power flow and provide electrical
inputs to power transformers and instruments.
 Voltage Transformers - Voltage Transformers are devices used to
measure voltage in electric circuits. Their main role is to condition (step
down) the voltage to be measured to levels suitable to the measuring
instrument.
Pneumatic Equipment

 Air Compressors - Air compressors provide air at pressures higher than

atmospheric via many pump drive types such as DC, AC, and gas or
diesel engines.
 Air Pressure Regulators - Air pressure regulators control the pressure in
air lines used by pneumatic tools and machines.
 Electro-Pneumatic Transducers - Electro-pneumatic transducers convert
current or voltage input signals to proportional output pressures.
 Filter, Regulator, Lubrication FRL Assemblies - Filter, regulator,
lubricator (FRL) assemblies are pre-packaged or modular assemblies of
common configurations of air filters, regulators, lubricators, and
gauges.
 Air Pressure
Regulator

Electromagnetic
Transducer

Air-
Compressors
ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM

 Is a system of devices or set of devices, that manages, commands,

directs or regulates the behavior of the other systems to achieve
desirable results.
 Accuracy
 Sensitivity
 Noise
 Stability
 Banwidth
 Speed
Control System

 Manual Control System

 Automatic Control System
 Open Loop Control System
 Closed Loop Control System