ELECTRICAL

CIRCUIT IN
BUILDINGS
ENGR. NORLIELA L. BESERIAL, CE, MP
CIRCUITING GUIDELINES

There are many ways of doing circuitry but there is no optimum or perfect way of doing it.
However, there are certain rules and guidelines promulgated by the National Electrical
Code (NEC) for flexibility, economical and convenient way of installing a circuitry.
1. The code requires sufficient circuitry to supply residential load of 30 watts per
square meter in buildings excluding porches, garages and basements.
2. The requirement of 30 watts/sq.m. is up to 80 sq.m. for 20 amperes circuit
(2,400 watts) or 60 sq.m. for 15 amperes circuit (1,800 watts).
3. Good practice suggests that the load should not exceed 1,600 watts for a 20
amperes circuit and 1,200 watts for a 15 amperes circuit. Thus,
CIRCUITING GUIDELINES CON’T

• Observe a minimum load of 1,200 watts on a 15 amperes circuit with a maximum area of 40
sq.m.
• A maximum load of 1,600 watts on a 20 amperes circuit with a maximum area of 53 sq.m.

4. The code requires a minimum of 20 amperes appliance branch circuit to feed all small
appliance outlets in the kitchen, pantry, dining and family room.
5. The general purpose branch circuit, shall be rated 20 amperes circuit, wired with No. 12
AWG being the minimum size of conductor wire required for all convenience outlet.
6. Circuit load on a 15 ampere circuit shall be limited to the values given in the table.
CIRCUITING GUIDELINES CON’T

7. Plug outlets or convenience receptacles shall be counted in computing the load if it is not
included in the load for the general lighting circuit.
8. Convenience receptacles should be planned properly, so that in case of failure by any one of
the circuitry, the entire area will not be deprived of power supply. In terms of reliability of
service, each area should be provided alternately with different circuits.
9. All kitchen outlets should be fed from at least two of these circuits.
10. The code further stipulate that, “ all receptacles are potential appliance outlet and at least two
circuits shall be supplied to serve them.”
11. Certain outlets in the room should be designed as appliance outlet like:
• All kitchen receptacles
• Dining room receptacles
• One in the living room
CIRCUITING GUIDELINES CON’T

12. The code requires that “ at least one 20 amperes circuit supply the laundry outlets.”
13. If air condition is anticipated, provide a separate circuit for this particular appliance.

OTHER GOOD PRACTICES IN CIRCUITRY

14. Lighting and receptacles should not be combined in a single circuit.
15. Avoid connecting all building lights on a single circuit.
16. Lighting and receptacles should be supplied with current from at least two circuits so that, if
a single line is out, the entire area is not deprived with power.
17. Do not allow combination switch and receptacle outlets.
18. Provide at least one receptacle in the bathroom, and one outside the house. Both must be
ground fault circuit interrupter type (GFCI).
CIRCUITING GUIDELINES CON’T

OTHER GOOD PRACTICES IN CIRCUITRY

6. Provide switch control for closet lights. Pull chain switch is a nuisance.
7. Convenience outlet though counted as part of the general lighting load shall be limited to 6
convenience outlets on a 15 amperes circuit and 8 convenience outlets on a 20 ampere circuit.
8. The code requires that, at least 20 amperes circuit supply shall be installed to the laundry
outlets.
9. Convenience outlet shall be laid out in such a manner that no point on a wall is more than 2
meters from an outlet. Use a grounding type receptacle only.
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

•As general requirement of electrical installation stated in Chapter 13, Sec. 1301 of PD 1096, all electrical
systems, equipment and installation mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine
Electrical Code, as adopted by the Board of Electrical Engineering pursuant to Republic Act No. 184
otherwise known as the Electrical Engineering Law.

•Philippine Electrical Code

Under Chapter 2 Article 2.10 Section 2.10.1.11 Branch Circuits Required;

Branch circuits for lighting and appliances, including motor-operated appliances, shall be provided to supply

the loads calculated under 2.20.2.1. Besides, branch circuits shall be provided for specific loads not covered

by 2.20.2.1 where required elsewhere in this Code and for dwelling unit loads as specified in 2.10.1.11.
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

1. The number of Branch Circuits. The minimum number of branch circuits shall be determined
from the total calculated load and the size or rating of the circuits used. In all installations, the
number of circuits shall be sufficient to supply the load served. In no case shall the load on any
circuit exceed the maximum specified by 2.20.2.9.
2. Load Evenly Proportioned Among Branch Circuits. Where the load is calculated based on
volt-amperes per square meter or square foot, the wiring system up to and including the branch
circuit panelboard(s) shall be provided to serve not less than the calculated load. This load shall
be evenly proportioned among multioutlet branch circuits within the panelboard(s). Branch-
circuit overcurrent devices and circuits shall only be required to be installed to serve the
connected load.
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

• Under Chapter 2 Article 2.10 Section 2.10.2.5 Permissible Loads;

In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. An individual branch circuit shall be

permitted to supply any load for which it is rated. A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets or

receptacles shall supply only the loads specified according to its size as specified in 2.10.2.5(a) through (d)

and as summarized in 2.10.2.6 and Table 2.10.2.6.

(a) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to

supply lighting units or other utilization equipment, or a combination of both, and shall comply with

2.10.2.5(a)(1) and (a)(2).

ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

• (b) 30-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 30-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply fixed lighting

units with heavy-duty lamp holders in other than a dwelling unit(s) or utilization equipment in any

occupancy. A rating of any one cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment shall not exceed 80 percent of

the branch-circuit ampere rating.

• (c) 40- and 50-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 40- or 50-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply

cooking appliances that are fastened in place in any occupancy. In other than dwelling units, such circuits

shall be permitted to supply fixed lighting units with heavy-duty lampholders, infrared heating units, or

other utilization equipment.

ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

• (d) Branch Circuits Larger Than 50 Amperes. Branch circuits larger than 50 amperes shall supply

only non-lighting outlet loads. 2.10.2.6 Branch-Circuit Requirements.

• Under Chapter 2 Article 2.10 Section 2.10.3.3 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets;

This section provides requirements for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets.

Receptacle outlets required by this section shall be in addition to any receptacle that is part of a

luminaire (lighting fixture) or appliance, located within cabinets or cupboards, or found more than 1 700 mm

above the floor.

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Examine the lighting plan. Split the
lighting outlets into 2 circuits A & B. Find
the following;
1. Circuit 1 – lighting load
2. Circuit 2 – lighting load

• Every Circuitry has;

• Find the max. total load of light outlet;
• Current load;
• Size of branch circuit wire;
• Rating of overcurrent protection;
• Size of conduit pipe.
ELECTRICAL
CIRCUIT IN
BUILDINGS
ENGR. NORLIELA L. BESERIAL, CE, MP
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Examine the lighting plan. Split the
lighting outlets into 2 circuits A & B. Find
the following;
1. Circuit 1 – lighting load
2. Circuit 2 – lighting load

• Every Circuitry has;

• Find the max. total load of light outlet;
• Current load;
• Size of branch circuit wire;
• Rating of overcurrent protection;
• Size of conduit pipe.
QUIZ SOLUTION
Examining the lighting plan, there are 19 lighting outlets. Split the 19 outlets into 2 circuits
A and B.
A. Circuit 1 (Lighting Layout - 10 Light Outlets
1. 10 outlets x 100watts = 1, 000watts
2. Compute the current loads = 4.35 amperes
3. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 4.35 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) of
2.0 Thh copper wire.
4. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; For 4.35 amp, use 15 amperes trip breaker.
5. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For 2.0 Thhn copper wire, use 13mm (1/2”) conduit pipe
QUIZ SOLUTION
Examining the lighting plan, there are 19 lighting outlets. Split the 19 outlets into 2 circuits
A and B.
B. Circuit 2 (Lighting Layout - 9 Light Outlets
1. 9 outlets x 100watts = 900watts
2. Compute the current loads = 3.91 amperes
3. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 3.91 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) 2.0
or No.#14 Thhn copper wire.
4. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; For 3.91 amp, use 15 amperes trip breaker.
5. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For 2.0 Thhn copper wire, use 13mm (1/2”) conduit pipe
Examine the convenience outlet plan. With
the loads from the previous activity
(Lighting Layout Plan).
Find the following;

1. Load Schedule (from lights and convenience

outlets);
2. Draw the One Line Diagram, in accordance
with the calculated loads.
SOLUTION
Examining the power line plan, for circuit 3 having 6 outlets (each with 2 gang).
C. Circuit 3 (Convenience Outlet) - 6 x 2 gang = 12 gang
1. 12 co gang x 180watts = 2160 watts
2. Compute the current loads = 9.39 amperes
3. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 9.39 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) 3.5
or No.#12 thhn copper wire.
4. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; For 9.39 amp, use 20 amperes fuse or trip breaker.
5. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For 3.5 Thhn copper wire, use 13mm (1/2”) conduit pipe

D. Circuit 4 is identical to circuit 3.

SOLUTION
Examining the power line plan, for circuit 5 for Range Load
E. Circuit 5 Range Load
Range Load (appliance rating) at 8.0 kw = 8000 watts
1. Compute the line current loads = 34.78 amperes
1. Apply 80% demand load factor = 27.82 amperes

2. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 27.82 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) 8.0
or No.#8 thhn copper wire.
3. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; For appliance load, use 40 amperes fuse or trip
breaker.
4. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For 8.0 Thhn copper wire, use 20mm (3/4”) conduit pipe
SOLUTION
Examining the power line plan, for circuit 6 for Water Heater Load
F. Circuit 6
One unit water heater (appliance rating) at 2.5 kw = 2500 watts
1. Compute the line current loads = 10.86 amperes
2. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 10.86 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) 3.5
or No.#12 thhn copper wire.
3. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; For 10.86, use 20 amperes fuse or trip breaker.
4. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For Thhn copper wire, use 13mm (1/2”) conduit pipe
SOLUTION
Examining the power line plan, for circuit 7 and 8 with 1-unit Aircon each
One unit aircon (appliance rating) at 1.5 hp = 1119 watts
1. Compute the line current loads = 4.86 amperes
Article 6.7 PEC provides “Branch circuit supplying a motor shall have an ampacity not less than
125% of the full load current.”
4.86 amp x 125% = 6.07 amperes

2. Size of Branch Circuit Wire; For 6.07 amp, use 2 pieces (for live and ground wire) 3.5 or
No.#12 thhn copper wire.
3. Rating of Overcurrent Protection ; The code on branch circuit protection for a single motor
provides “It shall be increased by 250% of the full load current of the motor.”
For 4.86 x 250% = 12.15 amp, from table 4-1 for continuous
load, use 2 - 30 amperes fuse or trip breaker.

4. Size of Conduit Pipe; ; For Thhn copper wire, use 13mm (1/2”) conduit pipe
CALCULATING THE AMPACITY OF THE SERVICE
ENTRANCE CONDUCTOR
1. Find the total current load of circuit 1 to circuit 8:
Lighting Load (C1 & C2) 1900 watts
Small Appliance Load (C3 & C4) 4320 watts
Other Loads (C5 & C6) 10 500 watts
TOTAL 16 720 watts
CALCULATING THE AMPACITY OF THE SERVICE
ENTRANCE CONDUCTOR
2. Calculation for Dwelling Unit, apply demand factor (df).
• For the first 10, 000 watts @ 100% df = 10 000 watts
16 720 - 10 000 = 6 720 watts
• For other load, multiply by 40%
6 720 x 40% = 2 688 watts
• For 2 Aircon Units @ 100% df
2 x 1119 x 100% = 2 238 watts
14, 926 watts
TOTAL CONNECTED LOAD

• Amperes ( I ) = = 67.33 amperes

• Size of the Main Feeder and the Neutral Line: use thhn copper wire.
• the Neutral conductor shall have an ampacity of not less than 70% of the ungrounded
(live wire) or two trade size smaller than the live wire (PEC Specification); therefore use
1 - 22 thhn copper wire for the Neutral Line.
• Size of the Conduit Pipe (Table 2-9), use 32mm dia. pipe.
• For Main Breaker (Table 4-1); use 2 - 100 amp, 2 - wires 250 volts, 2 - pole molded air
circuit breaker.
NEC COMMENTS - SERVICE ENTRANCE & MAIN
FEEDER
• Total computed load is 67.33 amp (table 4-2); the 30 copper wire could be used
considering 90 amp ampacity. However, the NEC provides “If the computed load exceeds
10 000 watts, the conductor and overcurrent protection shall be rated not less than 100
amperes.”
• Therefore, use 38 thhn copper wire for the Main Feeder and 2 - 100 amperes for the Main
Breaker.
LOAD SCHEDULE

Circuit Description No. of Volts Watts Amp/ Circuit Protection/ Size of Wire Size of
No. Outlets Circuit Conduit
1 Light Load 10 230 1000 4.35 15 2 - 2.0 13mm

2 Light Load 9 230 900 3.91 15 2 - 2.0 13mm

3 Small Appliance 6 230 2160 9.39 20 2 - 3.5 13mm

4 Small Appliance 6 230 2160 9.39 20 2 - 3.5 13mm

5 Range - 8kw 1 230 8000 34.78 60 2 - 8.0 20mm

6 Water Heater - 2.5kw 1 230 2500 10.86 20 2 - 3.5 13mm

7 Aircon - 6.07 amperes 1 230 1119 4.86 30 2 - 3.5 13mm

8 Aircon - 6.07 amperes 1 230 1119 4.86 30 2 - 3.5 13mm

9 Spare - 230 - - - - -
ONE LINE DIAGRAM