Electrical Installation and Workshop Technology

1. ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

Electrical power system

An electrical power system is a network of electrical components deployed to supply, transfer, and use
electric

power. It consists of;

Generators: supply the power

Transmission systems: carries power from generating centres to load centres

Distribution system: feeds the power to industries and homes

Sources of electrical power supply

Electrical energy is produced from many different energy sources. Some of these energy sources are
renewable and

others are non-renewable.

1.Hydro

Electrical energy created from water stored in huge dams. The energy created by the water released
from these

dams is transformed into electricity by hydro-electric turbines and generators. The most famous source
of

hydroelectric power in Kenya is seven folks scheme.

2.Geothermal

The heat found beneath the earth surface heats water, which escapes to the surface in form of steam.
This steam is

used to turn generator turbines hence producing electric energy. Geothermal power plants in found in
Olkaria.

3.Wind

Moving air (wind) is used to turn the turbines hence producing electricity. Although wind energy
accounts for small

percentage in Kenya, it is still an important source of electric power. Wind turbines are found in Ngong
hills.
4.Sun

Electricity can be generated using an array of solar panels. This power can either be stored in battery
banks or

converted directly to AC power.

5.Biomass

The electric energy can be generated from landfills or rubbish dumps. This waste is collected, dried and
burnt to

produce heat for generating steam that turns the turbines. This type of electric power is not available in
Kenya.

Non-renewable sources
1.Nuclear

It uses nuclear fission to generate heat, which in turn heat water to produce steam that drives the
turbines.

Nuclear plant is not available in Kenya

Workshop Technology Notes

.Electrical power is normally generated at 11kV in a power station.

.This generating voltage is then stepped up to

132kV, or greater voltage.

.Stepping up the voltage level depends upon the distance at which power is to be

transmitted. The longer the distance, higher will be the voltage level. Stepping up of voltage is to reduce
the I2R

losses in transmitting the power (when voltage is stepped up, the current reduces by a relative amount
so that the

power remains constant, and hence I2R loss also reduces). This stage is called as primary transmission.

The voltage is the stepped down at a receiving station to 33kV. Secondary transmission lines emerge
from this

receiving station to connect substations located near load centers (cities etc.).
The voltage is stepped down again to 11kV at a substation. Large industrial consumers can be supplied
at 11kV

directly from these substations. Also, feeders emerge from these substations. This stage is called as
primary distribution.

Feeders are either overhead lines or underground cables which carry power close to the load points
(end

consumers) up to a couple of kilometers. Finally, the voltage is stepped down to 415/240 volts by a pole-
mounted

distribution transformer and delivered to the distributors. End consumers are supplied through a service
mains line

from distributors. The secondary distribution system consists of feeders, distributors and service mains.

Three phase, four-wire ac supply system

Three phase system is derived from a star connected winding of a transformer, the star point being
earthed. From this point the fourth conductor, neutral is taken to form a three phase four-wire system.
The voltage between any two phase conductors is 415V. The voltage between any phase conductor and
neutral is 240V.

Three-phase is supplies are fed to very large consumers where total load exceed 100kW. The voltages
are either 11

or 33kV. Also, three-phase is ideal for commercial and industrial premises of medium size such as
schools,

hospitals, hotels etc.

1. DC supply system
Though a.c. is extensively used everywhere, there are few applications like operation of d.c. motors,
batteries,

charging where d.c. supply is must. It can be obtained by using rectifiers or by d.c. generators at
substations.

The d.c. systems are further classified as,

Two wire d.c. system

Two wire with midpoint earthed d.c. system

Three wire d.c. system

 Workshop Technology

2. POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

An electric power distribution system can be classified according to its feeder connection schemes or

topologies as follows -

Radial distribution system

Parallel feeders distribution

Ring main distribution system

Interconnected distribution

Radial Distribution System

This system is used only when substation or generating station is located at the center of the consumers.

In this system, different feeders radiate from a substation or a generating station and feed the

distributors at one end.

Thus, the main characteristic of a radial distribution system is that the power flow is in only one

direction. Single line diagram of a typical radial distribution system is as shown in the figure below

Advantages

-Simplest as fed at only end.

-The initial cost is low.

-Useful when the generating is at low voltage.

-Preferred when the station is located at the centre of the load.

Disadvantages

- The end of distributor near to the substation gets heavily loaded.

- When load on the distributor changes, the consumers at the distant end of the distributor face

serious voltage fluctuations.

- As consumers are dependent on single feeder and distributor, a fault on any of these two causes

interruption in supply to all the consumers connected to that distributor.

Parallel Feeders Distribution System

Workshop Technology

Disadvantages of the ring distribution system

• Ring is very expensive n requires more materials than radial

• Radial circuit is more economical

• High maintenance cost

• It is not usable when the client is located at the center of the load

Interconnected Distribution System

When a ring main feeder is energized by two or more substations or generating stations, it is called as an

interconnected distribution system. This system ensures reliability in an event of transmission failure.

Also, any area fed from one generating stations during peak load hours can be fed from the other

generating station or substation for meeting power requirements from increase.

The through wire is prepared without cutting as in the tee twist joint for a distance of 75mm.

The tee cable is then cleaned for 75mm, 25mm of which is twisted in the direction of the lay, and

secured with two or three turns of binding wire to prevent it from untwisting.

The tee strands are divided as shown in the figure.

The tee wire is now brought to the centre of the through wire with three strands on one side

and four strands on the other.

The three strands are together are then wrapped carefully and tightly round the through wire to

the right in an anticlockwise direction, and finally tightened with pliers.

The four strands are then wrapped round the through wire to the left, in the opposite direction

and tightened up.

The joint is then soldered solidly along the through wire.

ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM

A wiring system is an assembly of parts used in formation of one or more

electrical circuit.

It consists of a conductor together with its insulation, which serves as a

protection against mechanical damage.

Factors to consider when choosing a wiring system

Type of building; whether the installation is for permanent or

temporary building or for extension to an existing building.

Installation conditions; whether the installation is likely to be

subjected to mechanical damage, moisture, fumes , gas, inflammable

or explosive dusts, etc

Flexibility; whether the wiring system will allow alteration or

modification in the future

Appearance ; whether the installation should be hidden or visible

Durability; whether the installation will last for a time of the life of a

building or not

Workshop Technology Notes

Where cables are having different ratings are installed in the same
enclosure, all cables shall be deemed to have lowest temperature

rating

Busbar trunking must not be installed in conditions where inflammable

vapours are present

Fire barriers must be installed inside the trunking when it passes

through the floors, walls and partitions. Floors, walls and partitions

must be made of incombustible material after the trunking has been

installed

Allowance should be made for expansion in long sections e.g by fitting

copper braiding between sections

All busbar trunking should be marked danger and voltage stated and

lids must be securely fitted

Spacing factor must not exceed 45%

d) UNDER FLOOR DUCTS WIRING SYSTEM

The ducts are made of chemically inert non metallic fibrous material impregnated with a

preservative bitumen compound. The ducts are installed in the solid concrete floors during the

erection of the building. Various ducts are arranged to feed ceiling points for the floor below

and for the floor above. Junction boxes are provided with cover plates fixed flush with floor

finish and since the ducting is laid out between junction box, it is always possible to locate the

runs.

Advantages

The major part of the accommodation for the wiring can be conveniently installed at an

early stage during the construction of the building even though the exact positions of

the outlets may not be known at that time

A concealed wiring system is provided without the need for excessive long chases in the
concrete floors

It is relatively easy to alter the positions of outlets if necessary e.g in case of change of

tenancy

Workshop Technology Notes

on floor. Such lamps are provided with such fittings which make them water tight so that

these can be used out side the houses or for street lighting. The bracket may be of wood,

aluminium and brass. The lamp holder is simply a pendant holder made of brass or bakelite.

iii. Fluorescent Lamp (Tube) Holder

These are used to hold the fluorescent tube and pin type holders are generally used

iv. Socket

The sockets have insulated base with moulded base having three terminal sleeves. The two

terminal sleeves having same cross-section are used to connect phase and neural wire where

as the third having greater cross-section is used to connect with earth wire. These are made

for 5 amps and 15 amps load. Two-pin sockets are also available, in which only phase and

neutral wires are connected. These are available in 5-amp capacity. These may be surface

type or piano-types. The surface type accessories are obsolete now days.

vi. Plug

The plugs are also having moulded three pins of brass or any electrically conducting

material. These are also made of 5 amp and 15-amp rating. These are used for taking power

from socket.

vii. Wiring clips: used to fix the wires to surface

Workshop Technology Notes

 SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS

We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells. Every day, light hits your roof's

solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into

electrons of direct current ("DC") electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an

inverter and other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that "DC" power (commonly

used in batteries) into alternating current or "AC" power.

Solar accessories

Accessories are things needed to install solar panels so that they can set up and operate their

panels efficiently.

1. Solar Panel Batteries

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Workshop Technology Notes

They are designed to store the energy that solar panels generate during the day. The batteries

respond to changes in the amount of power produced by solar panels to help maintain steady

wattage outputs

2.Inverto

r It is a mechanical device for making and breaking a circuit, both under normal and abnormal conditions

such as short-circuit.

The circuit breaker differs from a switch. The switch is capable of making and breaking a current not

greatly in excess of its normal rated current.

The circuit breaker is capable of disconnecting automatically a faulty circuit, even in short circuit

conditions. Also the circuit breaker interrupts the circuit fault without damage to itself.
Circuit breakers provide more accurate degree of excess-current protection as compared to fuses.

3. Solar panel Frames

They are used to mount the solar panel on the roof of a building.

4. Solar Charge Controller

During bright, sunny days, a solar panel series may produce more energy than its battery and

immediate output can use. To protect a solar panel set-up from the damage that can result from

excessive voltage generation, you will need a solar charge controller.

Grid connected solar power system

A grid-connected photovoltaic power system or grid-connected PV power system is a solar PV

system that is connected to the utility grid.

A grid-connected PV system consists of solar panels,

one or several inverters, a power conditioning unit and grid connection equipment. They range

from small residential and commercial rooftop systems to large utility-scale solar power stations.

Unlike stand-alone power systems, a grid-connected system rarely includes an integrated battery,

as they are still very expensive. When conditions are right, the grid-connected PV system

supplies the excess power, beyond consumption by the connected load, to the utility grid.