UTIL 313

MODULE 01
BUILDING UTILITIES - ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS AND
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
MODULE 01

INTRODUCTION TO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHAT IS ELECTRICITY ?
ELECTRICITY is a form of energy generated by friction, induction or
chemical change, having magnetic, chemical and radiant effect. In short
electricity is Electrons in motion

Electricity is one of the most useful discovery of man which paved the way
to the numerous inventions from the simple tools to the most sophisticated
gadgets ·making. . what originally seemed to be impossible become a
reality.

Contrary to some belief. .electricity is not new. lt.has been here with us ever
since and, its: existence is as old as the universe which was discovered
accidental. by the ancient Greeks sometime in 600 B.C; However, the title·
of “FATHER OF ELECTRICITY" was accredited to William Gilbert, an
English Physicist after publishing his studies. on the "Electric Attraction“ and
“The Electric Force."
WILLIAM GILBERT
Born on May 24 1544 into a wealthy family in Colchester,
William Gilbert quickly discovered a passion for science and at
the age of 14 began studying at St. Johns College at
Cambridge University. Whilst there he excelled achieving a
bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degrees before finishing his
studies in 1569.

WILLIAM GILBERT AS THE FATHER OF

ELECTRICITY
Gilbert is cited as the father of electricity for his recording of
knowledge from the past, his experimentation and for creating
terminology that is still in use 400 years after his death. Both
the terms of electricity and electrical force are credited to him
as are the concepts of electrical attraction and the magnetic
poles.
ELECTRICITY

ELECTRICITY is a property of the basic particles

of matter which like an atom consist of

• Electron

• Proton

• Neutron
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRON : is the negatively charged particle of an
atom sometimes referred to as the negative charge
of electricity.

PROTON : is the positively charged particle on an

Atom which is sometimes referred to as the positive
charge of electricity that weighs about 1850 times as
much as Electron

NEUTRON : is the particle of an Atom which is not

electrically charged and weigs slightly more that the
proton

THEORIES
1. That, all matters are made up of molecules.
2. That, molecules are made up of atom
3. That, atom contains neutrons, electrons and protons
4. That, neutron is neutral. It is neither positive or negatively charge
5. That, the electron of an atom of any substance could be
SOURCE OF ENERGY

Electricity cannot be mined from the ground like coal. So it is

called a secondary source of energy, meaning that it is
derived from primary sources, including coal, natural gas,
nuclear fission reactions, sunlight, wind, and hydropower.
Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating
heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely
versatile, with a wide range of complex applications.
Electricity plays such an essential role in contemporary
American life that its supply and demand are often
examined separately from the primary sources used to
produce it.
SOURCE OF ENERGY
BATTERY
a combination of two or more electric cells capable of storing and
supplying direct current by electro-chemical means.

1. Primary Batteries - delivers electricity as soon as its parts are

assembled, or put together, provided that it is connected to a circuit.

2. Secondary/Storage Batteries – electricity from some

external source must be passed through it before it can deliver an
electric current (charging the battery”. Main uses are: to supply
emergency lighting circuits for hallways, stairways, exits and to
energize police and fire alarm systems and certain types of signal
systems.
SOURCE OF ENERGY
GENERATOR
a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Alternating Current Generators or Alternators – The bulk of

electrical energy utilized today is in the form of alternating current,
including energy for power and lighting.

Direct Current Generators – These furnish electrical energy for

elevators, escalators, intercommunicating telephone systems, control
of signal systems, and clock systems.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
By definition, Electric Current is the flow or rate of
flow of electric force in a conductor. A current will
only flow if a circuit is formed comprising a complete
loop and contains all the following required
components.

1. Source of voltage
2. A closed loop of wiring
3. An electric load
4. A means of opening and closing the circuit
ELECTRIC CURRENT IS CLASSIFIED AS:

1. Direct Current (DC)

2. Alternating Current (AC)
DIRECT CURRENT

The DC electricity, flows in one direction. The

flow is said to be from negative to positive.
The normal source of a DC electricity, is the
dry cell or storage battery.

DIRECT CURRENT (DC)

• Flows in one direction

• Uniform in strength
• Battery/dry cell
DIRECT CURRENT
The AC electricity constantly reverse its
direction flow. It is generated by machine
called generator. This type of current is
universally accepted because of its unlimited
number of applications with the flow
advantage.

1. It is easily produced.
2. It is cheaper to maintain.
3. It could be transformed into higher voltage
4. It could be distribution to far distance with
low voltage drop.
5. It is more efficient compared with direct
current
DEFINITION OF TERMS
ION – Is the term applied to an atom or molecule which is not electrically balance. It is an atom or
molecule that is electrically charge. It simply means there is a loss or gain of one or more electrons
Ions occur when the electrons in the atom is loosened through friction by another atom.
Therefore, the presence of electrons in any organic or inorganic substance is fact, that electricity is
always present.

VOLT or VOLTAGE – Is the electrical pressure that causes the electrons to move through a
conductor (wire). In other words, Voltage is the electromotive force.
Comparatively, to have 12 volts 12 pounds of water pressure inside the pipe of water system. Thus,
the higher the voltage, the more electricity will be forced to flow.
Volt was named after Alessandro Volta, an Italian scientist who discovered that electrons flow
when two different metals are connected by a wire and then dipped into a liquid that conduct or
carry electrons.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
AMPERE - is the standard unit used in measuring the strength on an electric current, named after
Andre M. Ampere.
It is the amount of current flow, sent by one volt through the resistance of one Ohm. When there
is too much flow of electricity in a small conductor or wire, heat is produced which eventually may
blow-off the protective devise called fuse, or burn the wire insulator and create fire.

WATT – Is the rate or measure of power used or consumed. It represents the equivalent heat volts
and ampere consumed by lights, appliances or motors. A term commonly labeled on light bulbs or
appliances, giving us an idea of what kind of circuit would be installed. The term is named after
James Watt a Scottish inventor.
RESISTANCE – is the friction or opposition to the flow of current by wires and transformers,
analogous to plumbing installation, where the flow of water is subjected to resistance caused by
friction between the water and the inside wall of pipe, and the various form of turns and fittings. For
direct current (DC electricity), the term Resistance is used for friction and Impedance for
alternating current (AC electricity)
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES CONDUCTOR RESISTANCE
1. Composition of the Conductor. This refers to a conductor having free electrons that has low
resistance.
2. Length of wire. The longer the wire the higher is the resistance.
3. Cross sectional area of wire. The bigger the cross sectional area of wire, the lower its resistance
4. Temperature. Metal offer high resistance to high temperature (heat)
OHMS LAW
In 1926, George Simon Ohm, a German scientis, discovered the the relation between the Current,
Voltage and Resistance now referred to as the Ohms Law which states that: “The higher the
voltage, the larger the current, and the higher the resistance, the lower the current.”

The relationship between the current, voltage and resistance is presented in the following equations
known as the Ohms law.
I = V/R
Where:
I = Current flow (amperes)
V = Electromotive force (volts)
To find the: R = Resistance (Ohms)
* Voltage electrical pressure (Volts)
V = IR
* Current (Ampere)
I = V/R
* Resistance (Ohms)
R= V/I
*Power
OHMS LAW
Determine the current flow in a circuit having a resistance of 5 ohms on a 120 volts and 240 volts
current supply. (Circuit refers to the electrical wiring installation)
1. For 120 volts:

I = V/R = 120/5
I = 24 amperes
1. For 240 volts:

I = V/R = 240/5
I = 48 amperes
Examining the Ohms Law, it will be noted that the current is in inversely proportional to the
resistance. Thus, as resistance decreases, current increases. It can be concluded from the
foregoing illustration that a 240 volts circuit, is better choice that using a 120 volt circuit as
computed with 48 and 24 amperes respectively.

ADVANTAGE OF USING 240 VOLTS OVER THE 120 VOLTS SUPPLY ARE:

1. Economy through the use of smaller wires.

2. Lower power loss.
RESISTANCE
In hydraulic system, the flow of fluid is impeded or resisted by friction between the wall of the pipe,
fittings and other turns and offsets. In the same manner, the flow of current in a circuit (electrical
wiring installation) is also impeded or resisted by the wire, transformer and other devices. This is
called Impedance, The electrical term for Friction in AC electricity. In direct current DC circuit, this
Impedance is called Resistance. However, both are expressed in the unit measure called Ohms.

1. The higher the voltage, the larger the Current.

2. The higher the Resistance, the lower the Current

Their relationship may be expressed by the following equiation known as the Ohms Law.

I = V/R
POWER
The measuring unit of electric power is the Watt. When multiplied by 1000, the product is called
Kilowatt Power.

Watt = I² x R

By Ohms law:

V=IR

Since W=I² x R

W = VxI
SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUIT

A circuit components can be arranged in several ways but with two fundamental types of
connection, namely:

1. SERIES CIRCUIT
2. PARALLEL CIRCUIT
SERIES CIRCUIT
In a Series Connection, a single path exist for current flow, that is the elements are arranged
in a series one after the other with no branches. Being a single parth in a series arrangement
voltage and resistance simply adds.

Under the series arrangement where only one part of current is suppling the light. Failure of
any one of the bulbs will cause a break in the circuit cutting of any one of the entire
circuitry.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
The parallel circuit is sometimes referred to as multiple connections where the loads are placed
across the same voltage constituting a separate circuit. In hydraulic analogy, the connections are
similar to branching pipe arrangement. Parallel Circuit is the standard arrangement for house
wiring connections wherein lights constitute one parallel grouping and the convenience wall outlets
constitute the second parallel grouping.

The fundamental principle under this type of circuitry is that “loads in parallel are additive for
current, and that each has the same voltage imposed.
CONDUCTORS AND WIRING ACCESSORIES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR
Electric conductors are substances or materials used to convey or allow the flow of electric current.
Insulators on the other hand are substances or materials that resist the flow of electric current.

Materials Considered as Good Electric Conductors are:

1. Silver
2. Copper
3. Aluminum
4. Nickel
5. Brass

6. Zinc
WIRES AND CABLES
Wires are those electrical conductors. Cables on the other hand , are those which are larger that
the wires. Wires and Cables are either:

Stranded wire - Consist of a group of wires twisted to form a metallic string.

Solid wire – Solid length of Conductor
WIRES AND CABLES
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES
Armored Cable (AC) - is a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors enclosed in flexible metal
sheath. Armored cable is used both on exposed and concealed work.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES
Mineral Clad Cable (MI) – Is a factory assembled cable of one or more conductors each
individually insulated and enclosed in a metallic sheath of interlocking tape of a smooth or
corrugated tube. This type of cable is especially used for service feeders, Brach circuit and for
indoor or outdoor work.

Mineral insulated Cable (MI) – Is a factory assembled cable of one or more conductors insulated
with a highly compressed refractory mineral insulation enclosed in a liquid and gas tight continuous
copper sheath. This type of cable is used in dry, wet or continuously moist location as service
feeders or branch circuit.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES

Non – Metallic sheathed Cable (NM) – is also a

factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors
having a moisture resistant, flame retardant, and
non-metallic material outer sheath. This type is used
specifically for one or two family dwellings not
exceeding 3 storey building
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES

Shielded Non- Metallic Sheathed Cable (SNM) – This

type of cable is a factory assembly of two or more
insulated conductors in a extruded core of moisture
resistant and flame retardant material covered within an
overlapping spiral metal tape. This type is used in
hazardous locations and in cable trays or in raceways.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES
Service Entrance Cable – Is of types SE and USE. A single or multi-conductor assembly
provided with or without an over all covering primarily used for service wire
RACEWAY
Raceway are channels or wiring accessories so designed for holding wires, cables or
busbars that are ither made of metal, plastic or any insulating mediums.

The common types of raceways for household wiring installation are:

1. The conduit
2. The connectors and other accessories.
CONDUIT
Conduit pipe is the most common electrical raceway used in all
types of construction. With respect to the type of materials used,
Conduit may be classified into:
1. Metallic such as steel pipes, aluminum, etc.
2. Non-metallic such as plastic and the like

With respect to its make, Conduit may be classified as:

1. Rigid Metal 2.Flexible metal 3.Rigid non metal 4.Flexible non

metal
The purpose of Electrical Conduits.

1. To provide a means for the running wires form one point to

another.
2. To physically protect the wires.
3. To provide a grounded enclosure.
4. To protect the surroundings against the effect of fault in the
wiring.
5. To protect the wiring system from damage by the building and
the occupants.
THANK YOU !