ELECTRICAL WORK

FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

(i) Sizes of boards: (iv) Sizes and colours of wires:
The wooden switch boards for surface mounting are usually available in Wires come in various sizes and colours for
standard sizes based on the number of electrical points per room. different purposes.

(ii) Gauges of wires: (v) Positions of electrical points:

Electrical wires directly carry the electrical current. Different types
and qualities of wires are designed for different purposes, as per the
gauges of the wires.

(iii) Colour codes of wires:

 PLANNING FOR EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL WORK
Flow chart for electrical supply
Transformer and L.T. (low tension room):
Electricity board • Loads above 50KW require a transformer and L.T. room
• Should be located at nearest convenient place on the ground floor
Transformer • Availability of nearby power lines kept in view
• Plinth for transformer should be constructed in rubble masonry
L.T. Room

Feeder pillar Feeder pillar:

• A distribution box fixed in a common convenient place
Bus bar of each
• Cables ---> main supply board ---> feeder pillar ---> other supply
building points
• Fixed on a firm concrete platform
• Painted in red
Individual meter of flat

Cut out / fuses Electrical meter cabinet:

• Required to contain the meters of each building
• Made of wooden frame, covered with wooden
Main switch of each
flat in meter cabinet shutters and weld mesh
• Located near the building entrance for proper
Mains
ventilation and easy access
Distribution box in flat
• Painted with primer and oil paint to avoid
Circuits decay
Room switch boards • Fixed 45cm from floor level, with correct name
Internal wiring and flat number, and is always locked
Individual electric point
Cabling and Ducting:
• Decided once the locations of the transformer, L.T. room, feeder pillar,
meters cabinets etc are finalized
• Most cables are laid underground in conduit
• For cables without conduits, a brick layer and sand cushion with minimum
1m excavation is required
• At road crossings, pipes protect the cables
• A chamber is provided at each junction and turning.

Bus-bar:
• A distribution box which provides tappings to
different electrical meters
• Main supply to bus bar is provided from the feeder
pillar by a suitable cable.

Earthing:
• Electrical connection to the general mass of earth
• Most common method- earthing by plate electrodes
• Plate electrodes are made of copper or galvanized iron
• Resistance of the earth electrodes depends on the resistance of the soil
• Earthing plate placed vertically on its edge
 TYPES OF WIRING USED IN BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
(i) Temporary wiring:
• This is employed for temporary use of electric supply on construction sites
• V.I.R (Vulcanized India Rubber) or P.V.C (Polyvinyl chloride) insulated
wires run through porcelain bobbins
• The system is called the overheard lines
• Cheap, easy to install and dismantle after work

(ii) Casing-capping:
• This is an open type of wiring
• But compared to the other types of open wiring, it has a
better appearance due to the cover provided over it

(iii) Batten wiring (C.T.S wiring):

• C.T.S – Cab Tyre Sheathed wiring
• Easy to locate any faults during maintenance
• Economical and takes less time to erect
• Size of the batten depends on the number of wires
(iv) Conduit wiring:

Two types:-
 Open conduit wiring or surface wiring
 Concealed wiring

(b) Open conduit wiring:

• Simple wiring used in public places like railway stations,
hospitals, schools, etc
• Steel or P.V.C. pipes are used
• Easy to erect and waterproof
• P.V.C. conduits are easy to bend, cut, shock-proof and there
are no possibilities of short circuits
 (b)Concealed conduit wiring Concealed conduits in slab
• • The location of the D.B. (distribution box) is such that it
It is used in residential, commercial and public buildings.
shouldn’t be seen while entering the flat and from the living
• P.V.C. conduits are used since they are light and room.
economical than steel conduits. They are resistant to acids,
• Layout of the conduiting in slab is required for bill preparation
alkalies, oil and moisture.
and record purposes.
• Concealed conduits in slab should be done before casting
• To avoid loose fixing of pipes with accessories, bonding
of the slabs as per the electrical layout.
solution is to be applied.
• For easy pulling of wires, fix the standard bends by
• Using binding wire, the conduits are tied together and to the
bending the conduit pipe itself.
slab steel.
• Suitable inspection boxes to be permitted for periodic
inspection and maintenance.
• Ensure that conduits are not damaged by the labour movement
on slabs.
• Ensure that the fan box entries are intact to prevent the entry
of cement slurry.
 Concealed Conduits in Wall (Drop Work) Wiring and Fitting Fixtures

• Wiring work can start after plastering and curing.

• Check the colour code and specification of the wire for
various points.
• Fix the accessories on the boards, as required, with line
and level.
• Terminate the wires in accessories.
• Put the fuse wire of required current rating in the fuse box.
• Connect the wires in distribution board and main switch or
M.C.B.
• After starting the supply, switch on the main switch and
check all the points with megger or test lamp.
• Drop work should commence after the completion of masonry
work and curing period.
• Position of switch boxes to be marked w.r.t. the height from
F.F.L.
• Provide thick conduit pipes of approved quality in the chased
portion and tie with the help of binding wires and nails.
• Inspection box to be provided at a suitable location on the wall.
Megger Test Lamp
 Concealed Telephone and TV Wiring
• Telephone Services- The telephone department
undertakes the house wiring for telephone subscribers
in small buildings. In multi-storeyed/ commercial
buildings, wiring for telephone connections is
concealed through the conduits at the time of
construction.
• Common Antenna System for Television (C.A.T.V.)- In
multi-storeyed apartments, buildings, houses and hotels
where many TV receivers are located, a common
master antenna system may be used.
• Procedure for TV/ Telephone Conduiting- All
conduiting procedure is the same as the electrical
concealed conduits in the slab and wall.
Telephone point T.V. point Plug point
Testing of Electrical Wiring Work
1. Checking of Fuses:
• Mains should be switched off.
• Determine the rating of the fuse.
• Replace the main fuse wire of the known rating.
• Check the rating of the fuse in each circuit.
• Label the respective fuse in the D.B. circuit using stickers.
2. Polarity Test (For single pole switches):
This test is carried out to verify that all the single pole switches have
been fitted in the same wire throughout and such wire has been
connected to the live wire of the supply.
3. Testing for effectiveness of earth continuity:
This test is carried out to check whether the earth connection from the
installation to the main earth electrode is effective.
4. Insulation Test:
From this test one can find the insulation resistance between the cable of
the installation and earth. From insulation resistance value, one can
calculate the leakage current.
Testing
equipments
for electrical
works
 Single Phase Supply Protection of electrical work
• It is normally used for appliances which needs a voltage of 1. Protection against earth fault: When phase wire
220 to 250 V. comes in contact with earth wire, short circuit
occurs, this is because the neutral at the point of
• Example: Lights, fans, TV, video, etc.
supply is earthed.

2. Protection against overload: Any value of

current through a wire beyond the rated value
that causes damage to the insulation is called
overload.

3. Protection against short circuit: When phase

Three Phase Supply wire and neutral wire make direct contact,
excess current will flow in the circuit and cause
• The three-phase power supply includes four wires which short circuit.
consist of one neutral along with three conductor wires.
• The standard voltage at which the electricity board delivers
power to the consumer is generally 415 V, 50Hz.
 Introduction to protective
instruments
1. Miniature circuit breaker (M.C.B.): It is an
automatically operated electrical switch. They are
designed to trip during an overload or short circuit
to protect against electrical faults and equipment
failure.
2. Fuses: It is a thin metal wire. Whenever there is an
excessive current flow in an electrical circuit, the
fuse melts and opens the circuit which disconnects
it from the power supply.
3. Circuit Breakers- It is a mechanical switching
device, designed to automatically open the circuit
under the specified abnormal conditions without
injury to itself.
Protection of building from lightning
• Factors such as lightning incidences, surroundings and
the type of terrain, is a cause for the frequency of a
building being struck by lightning.
• The type of construction of the structure largely
influences the extent of protection. Steel framed building
protects itself to an extent while brick buildings require a
greater degree of lightning protection.
• In closely built towns and cities the hazard is not as great
as in the open country.
• In hilly or mountainous area a building is more
susceptible to damage, than a building in plains and flat
terrain.
• Taller structures are subject to greater hazards than
smaller structures.
• Provide lightning-rod to protect buildings from lightning.

Miniature circuit breaker Fuses Circuit Breakers

FIRE FIGHTING
SYSTEMS
REQUIREMENT AND WORK PROCEDURE
Basic Requirements for the Work (Refer Figure No. 36.3)
For G+5 storeyed building
 Above 15m height, fire fighting system required
 Electrical work – with casing capping
 Overhead water tank – additional capacity of 10,000L
 Motorable road- entrance of building
 Electrical circuit of staircase and passage separate
 Hose reel – each landing of each building
 Non- return valve- ground level, easy approach for fire service
 Underground water tank – with a pump that can feed water main – fire hydrant systems
 Portable fire extinguishers at
1. Main switch board
2. Lift room
3. Parking area
4. Shops
• Final N.O.C for building from Municipal Authorities
Work Procedure Considering procedure for G+5 storeyed building. Refer figure No. 36.5
 Construct overhead water tank (O.H.W.T.)
 Outlet of overhead tank for domestic use – above 10,000L water storage
 G.I line required diameter e.g100mm should be run from the duct ( accessible),
located near staircase , at every mid- landing
 All inlet to G.I will be 100mm – and 20mm – every mid-landing
 75mm inlet should be connected to the fire hydrant valve – every mid-landing
 Fire hydrant valve connected to fire hose pipe 65mm dia and 15mm length
 20mm inlet connected to 20mm wall mounting type firehose reel with rubber hose 15m , with shut off nozzles
 M.S fabricated fire-box with glass door , lock and key, at every mid-landing
 Fire extinguisher of 5kg capacity( dry chemical powder type) and every landing
 Portable fire extinguishers at
1. Main switch board (meter cabinet) 2.Parking area 3.Shops
 1fire hydrant with non-return valve in ground level
 Down-take pipe painted red in color
 After completion of work- testing and demonstration routine
 Obtain N.O.C from Municipal Authorities by site visit/ inspection
Checklist for Fire Fighting Work
 Capacity of the required overhead water tank, as per height and area of the building
 Other requirements- rules of Municipal Authorities
 Arrange services of authorized agency for fire fighting work
 Perfect estimation of materials of total systems
 Quality of material supplied
 Contractor has provided safety measures, before, during fire fighting work
 Civil work – excavation, making holes to bricks, wall, concrete and refinishing done properly, as per requirements
 Scaffolding fixed – does not disturb any fire fighting systems
 Test work – before issuing N.O.C
 G.I pipelines for straightness line, level ,plumb , etc
 Class of pipe
 Fire extinguishers in working condition
 Cost of work not exceeding estimation cost
Final Inspection And Testing
 Planned, Designed and constructed – ensure fire safety
 In accordance to the National Code of India
 Chief Fire Officer insist on suitable provision in building for fire safety
 Final testing and checking done on site
 Visit of Chief Fire officer of local authority for final testing , final N.O.C obtained
 N.O.C submitted to Municipal Authorities- at time of obtaining completion certificate
ELEVATORS
PRACTICAL DATA FOR EXECUTION
What is an elevator?
It is used for vertical movement in a structure. It is a platform or compartment
housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels.

Passengers:-
Different elevators come in various sizes and function differently. Passenger
elevators can hold up to a maximum of 10,000 pounds. Most can hold between 2,500
and 5,000 pounds. Depending on the type of building, some elevators will need to be
equipped with special functions such as space for holding stretchers in a hospital
building.

Freights:-
Freights can weigh tons, and they need a special elevator to transport them. Freight
elevators are designed to hold up to 20,000 pounds or more.

Hospital :-
Hospitals will generally classify them according to their purpose, such as patient transport
elevators, utility elevators, and public elevators. Some may have designated emergency patient
transport elevators and designated staff elevators.

Dumbwaiters:-
Dumbwaiters are simple small elevators used to perform useful transportation functions. In
restaurants, a dumbwaiter can come in handy when moving meals and dishes in-between floors.

Capsule:-
Glass lifts or capsule lifts are special lifts installed on the exterior face of the building or in the
lobby or at a place where
it can enhance the elevation and look of building. Capsule lifts can accommodate from 8 persons to
40 persons for a single glass capsule.
CIVIL WORK FOR LIFT WELL:-
• Scaffolding is provided for the erection of the lift and can be removed after the work.
Horizontal supports (0.9m-1.5m)
• Pockets are to be provided in the inside and backside walls based on the erection agency
requirements
• The guard rails are fixed using grouted rag bolts or fasteners and bracket supports are required
when lift pit is more than 1.7m*1.4m
• The distance between the rag bolts and fasteners should be 2.1m and the guard rails are fixed
onto R.C.C bracer beams. Vertical distance between bracers is 2.1m.
• During construction a 10cm*10cm pocket is provided on the wall at 90cm below the bottom
slab for fixing supports of the template.
• CP teak wood doors and door frames of similar designs are provided in all floors.
• In masonry construction RCC beams are marked with red oil paint
• The block masonry for the adjoining frames should be done with 15cm wide blocks.
• The door and the masonry work adjoining it should be done for all floors except for the first
entry floor where the doors will be done after the erection of the lift car.
• Two coats of white wash to be provided for the lift walls.

CIVIL WORK FOR LIFT PIT:-

• All hoist way wall – min 23cm brick / 150mm.
• Center opening doors are recommended.
• Depth should be 1.4m below the lowest landing level.
• the lift pit should be taken to a hard strata of ground
• If the depth from top
• of raft to lowest landing level is more than 1.4m , it is to be filled with plum
concrete.
• The lift pit should be water tight.
• M.S. ladder should be provided for access to lift pit.
• A block of dimension 40cm*40cm*75cm of 1:2:4 concrete is provided in the lift
pit.
ELECTRICAL WORK:-
1. Electrical meter:- Location:-
• A three phase electric meter is required for every The underground cables should run from the ground floor meter to the lift well where the cables will
lift in the backside wall near corner of the lift to the main switches in the machine room.
2. Cables:- Saddling of cables should be done at 0.6m intervals.
• A 4mm2*3.5 core copper armored cable is to be ERECTION WORK:-
provided from meter room at GF to the machine The erection of the lift is done according to the rules by the authorized agency.
room.
• A 2.5m m2 *3 core copper unarmored wire to be
provided from the meter room at GF to the
machine room and back to the bottom of the lift
well.
3. Main switches:-
• Two 32 Amp capacity I.C.T.P.: one in meter room
in GF and one in machine room
• Three 16Amp D.P.: one in meter room and two in
machine room.
4. Light points:-
• One light point in machine room with one socket
and switch
• One external point at the entrance of machine
room.
• One and half feet below each level, one wooden
block with a light bulb and switch and a 3 pin
socket with a switch is provided in the lift well.
• Similar arrangement one at machine room and
one at 0.9m below FFL in GF is provided.
5. Earthing:-
• 8 gauge copper double earthing is provided from
the earth pit to the machine room I.C.T.P. motor
and controller.
CHECKLIST OF ELEVATOR WORKS:- • Check the electricity supply with a separate electric meter for the lift.
• Check the size of lift pit as per the standard dimensions, specified by the • Check the safety arrangements during operation of the lift like opening, auto
manufacturer’s requirements. locking of door etc.
• Check lift shaft for perfect right angles. Plumb from top to bottom. • Ensure that a sufficient counter weight is provided.
• Check the position, size, line, level, plumb of lift door frames. • Check the quality and specification of the electrical cables used for the lift
• Check the depth of the lift pit from parking F.F.L., as per the manufacturer's work.
requirements. • Check the lift for smooth operation and floor to floor stop control, from inside
• Check the quality of wood and the correct design, as per the drawing for the and outside.
door frame. • Check all the working of all indicators.
• Ensure that the door frame is fixed to the plaster inside the lift shaft. Ensure • Ensure sufficient ventilation in the lift machine room and a weld mesh to act as
that the bottom slab of the machine room, with all openings, is as per the a guard from birds etc.
requirements .Of manufacturer. (The of slab casting should be present at the • Check the functioning of the earthing systems.
time) • Check the key for emergency operation of lift.
• Check the hooks in the top slab, required to set the pulley at the time of • Ensure that the instruction plate is fixed.
erection. Lift machine room flooring should be of I.P.S.
• Check the rigidity of the foundation concrete and the bolts provided to the lift
machine.
• Ensure that the opening for the trap door is closed properly with a good quality
trap door.
• Ensure that the finishing of the pockets, in the lift machine room slab, is done
properly.
• Ensure that landing flooring is done, considering the clear required height of
opening, in the door frame.
• Landing slope should be given away from the lift door.
• Check the rigidity of the scaffolding during erection, to prevent any accidents.
• Scaffolding should be done. as per the requirement of the lift erectors.
• Check the rigidity of the rails fixed with fasteners, alignment of the rail for
truly in plumb
• Check the quality and size of the foundation concrete for buffer springs and all
the material supplied by the manufacturer for the required size, specification,
quality. effective working etc.:
• Check the quality of workmanship for all erection work.