ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Electrical Terminologies
System Components

References:
Philippine Electrical Code
National Building Code
Graphics Standards
Electricity
phenomenon; manifestation
• Principally made up of atoms (electron, proton, neutron)
• 2 General Classes: Dynamic and Static

• ELECTRIC CURRENT – flow in an electric circuit (amperes)

Classifications: Direct Current (DC)/Alternating Current (AC)
Amperes: Unit
Amperage: Current
Ampacity: Current-carrying capacity (w/o undue heating)
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT – path for electric current w/ EMF applied
• Electromotive Force (EMF) – force which causes movement of
electricity in a conductor
• Circuit Diagram – electrical layout
• Close Circuit – complete; continuous path
Open Circuit – broken, incomplete, disconnected

• Two Types: Parallel/Series

• Short Circuit: bridging

• Shunt: circuit branching
ELECTRIC CURRENT CLASSIFICATION

1. DIRECT CURRENT
• Flows in one direction (- to +)
• Battery/dry cell
• 2 types of DC: continuous/pulsating (fluctuating)
2. ALTERNATING CURRENT
• Reverses in direction
• Frequency: 60 cps (60 Hertz)
• Phase: SP/3P
• 240VAC, 60Hz, SP
 COMPARISON: DC & AC
Direct Current
DC
Fixed polarity
Steady (Continuous); Vary in
magnitude (Fluctuating)
Steady value
Easier to measure: 1.5 volts
Alternating Current
AC
Reverses polarity
Varies between reversal
Stepped up or down
Easier to amplify: 110V+
 OHM’s LAW – relationship of EMF, Current, Resistance
Formula: I = V/R V=IR R=V/I
I = Current (Amperes)
V = EMF (Volts)
R = Resistance (Ohms)

• Voltage (Volts) – pressure or force; Voltmeter

• Amperes (Amps) – inherent in wires (conductor); Ammeter
• Ohms – friction; inherent in insulator/Ohmmeter
 Other Electrical Terminologies
• DEVICE – does not consume electricity
• WATT – rate of power; power consumption; heat volts +
ampere
Watt Meter – any one time
Watt-Hour Meter – periodic; KWH Meter/Electricity Meter
• ALTERNATOR – AC generator
• GENERATOR – M.E to E.E.
• MOTOR – E.E. to M.E.
• BATTERY – electrochemical; electrolysis
Primary – nonrenewable
Secondary - rechargeable
SYSTEM COMPONENTS OF BUILDING
• 3 CATEGORIES
1. Wirings and Raceways
o Conductors – offers low resistance
o Insulators – prevents flow of electric current
o Raceways - channel
2. Power Handling Equipment
o transformer, switchboard/switchgear, panelboard, service switch,
circuit breakers/fuse
3. Utilization Equipment – actual use
o Fixtures
o Switches
o Convenience Outlets
WIRES AND CABLES
1. FMC/MC/AC – BX; flexible
2. NMC/NM – ROMEX; sheat
3. GENERAL WIRING: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)
4. MI – jacketed
5. SNM – telecommunication/submarine cable
6. SE/USE – aerial/underground
7. UF – direct burial to ground
8. TC – open wireway/support/tray
9. FC – system furniture application/cable management
10. FCC – general purpose
BUSBAR: Busway, Busduct
CABLEBUS; rounded
RACEWAYS
1. Floor Raceway
• underfloor raceway – conventional installation
• cellular metal floor raceway – rib decking/raised floor system
• cellular concrete floor raceways – T-joist/ precast concrete
slab with built in pipes
2. Ceiling Raceway
• Power and Control Tray Cable (TC)
• Busbar
• Cablebus
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS
1. TRANSFORMER – voltage to voltage
• Outdoor Transformers
H-frame – 1000 kva
Cluster mounted – 225 kva
Pad mounted – 120V to 240V
• Indoor Transformers
Dry Type – pad mounted; switchboard
Askarel – synthetic non-flammable liquid
Oil-insulated – for transformer vault
• Transformer Rating: stepped up/stepped down
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

1. SWITCHBOARD/SWITCHGEAR – free standing assemblies

of switches, fuses/circuit breakers
• Unit Substations (Transformer Load Center) – large facility
2. PANELBOARD – final distribution point; PP/LP
• Main Panelboard
• Distribution Panelboard
3. SERVICE SWITCH – large switch
• disconnecting apparatus
• service disconnecting means
• applied on apartments: meter banks
POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

4. CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES – overload/short circuit

• FUSE – alloy link or wire; fusible link; nonrenewable
Plug Fuse – dwelling (5-30 amps)
Cartridge Fuse – (5-60 amps)
Knife Blade Fuse – (61-600 amps); DE/SE

• CIRCUIT BREAKERS – electromechanical device

Thermal Pigtail (Copper) – senses heat
Magnetic Pigtail (Copper) – senses load
UTILIZATON EQUIPMENT
FIXTURES/LUMINAIRES
1. Incandescent Lamp/Bulb – filament
2. Fluorescent Lamp/Tube – cathode
CONDUITS/FITTINGS/CONDULETS
BRANCH CIRCUITS
ELECTRICAL BOXES
PLATES
Lighting Outlets
Receptacle/Convenience Outlets
 FIXTURES/LUMINAIRES
INCANDESCENT BULB
1. Filament 8. Mica Disc
2. Gas 9. Button Rod
3. Lead-in-wires 10. Button
4. Stem Press 11. Support Wires
5. Exhaust Tube 12. Soft Glass
6. Base Hard Glass
7. Fuse Inside frosted – white silica
 FIXTURES/LUMINAIRES
FLUORESCENT LAMP
1. Cylindrical Glass Tube – phosphor
2. Cathode – argon and low pressure mercury vapor
3. Ballast – limits current
4. Starter - switch

TYPES:
1. Pre-Heat Starting - CFL
2. Instant Start (Slimline) – w/o a starter
3. Rapid Start – bi-pins
CONDUITS
pipes, tubings (electrical raceway)
Materials (Metallic or Nonmetallic)
Make
1. Rigid Metal (RSC, EMT)
2. Flexible Metal (BX)
3. Rigid Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)
4. Flexible Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)
CONDULETS/UNILETS (Conduit Fittings)
1. Straight and angle couplings
2. Elbow Fittings
3. Tee and Cross connections
Condulets
• F – standard outlet box fittings
• SE – Service Entrance
• L – Elbow or Turn Fittings
• C – Through Fittings
• T – Through Fittings w/ 90° take off
• E – end of run to types of motors, transformers, equipments
• LL/LR - 90° turns where mounting is not suitable for LB
• LB – when run of conduit comes must run thru wall/ceiling
ELECTRICAL BOXES

• Outlet Box – cable ends

• Utility Box – outlets, switches
• Pull Box – facilitates pulling
• Junction Box – joining, splicing
• Cut-out Box – metal box
OUTLETS
Lighting Outlet – Single Gang, Two Gang, Three gang (PLATE)
Convenience Outlet – Receptacle Outlet
Duplex Convenience Outlet/Single Convenience Outlet
FM – Flash mounted SM – Surface mounted