BUILDING UTILITIES 2- General Purpose Circuit -A branch circuit that

supplies current in a number of outlets for lighting

ELECTRICAL AND and appliances
Appliance Circuit - A branch circuit that supplies
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS current in one or more outlets specifically intended
for appliances
Individual Circuit - A branch circuit that supplies
ELECTRICAL CONCEPTS current only to a single piece of electrical equipment
OHM’S LAW - The current (I) that will flow in a circuit Distribution Panel - A panel for distributing power to
is directly proportional to the voltage (V) and other panels or to motors and other heavy power-
inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the consuming loads. Controls, distributes and protects
circuit. a number of similar branch circuits in an electrical
system
I = V/R
Low-Voltage - Of or pertaining to a circuit in which
alternating current below 50 volts is supplied by a
step-down transformer form the normal line voltage
used in residential systems to control doorbells,
intercoms, heating and cooling systems and remote
lighting fixtures. Low-voltage circuits do not require
a protective raceway

TYPES OF CIRCUITS
SERIES CIRCUIT – is one in which the components
are connected in tandem. All separate loads of the
circuit carry the same equal current and the total
resistance, R, is the sum of the resistances around
the circuit.

PARALLEL CIRCUIT (or Multiple Circuit) – is one in

which the components or loads are so arranged that
the current divides between them. Each outlet has a
live wire connected to the current carrying wire of the
circuit and also a neutral wire or grounded wire
connected to the return wire of the circuit. With this
system, the total current flowing through the circuit is
the sum of the current flowing through each outlet.

CLASSIFICATION OF BRANCH CIRCUITS

General Purpose Branch Circuit - supplies outlets
for lighting and appliances, including convenience
receptacles.
Appliance Branch Circuit - supplies outlets intended
for feeding appliances. Fixed lighting is not supplied.
Individual Branch Circuit - is designed to supply a
single specific item, such as a motor load or a unit
air-conditioner.
Branch Circuit - The portion of an electrical system
extending from the final overcurrent device
protecting a circuit to the outlets served by the circuit
 BRANCH CIRCUITS
– These are small
capacity conductors
which deliver energy
to lamps, motors and
other loads within the
circuit.
PANEL BOARDS
AND SUB-PANEL
BOARDS (also called
CUT-OUTS) – These
serve to control and
protect the sub
feeders and branch
circuits.

UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT – These are the lighting,

power and motor loads and wiring devices which are
directly handled and utilized by users.

3. ELECTRICAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

3.1 CONDUCTORS
– are materials which allow the free flow of
electrons through them.

Wires – are single insulated conductors No. 8 AWG

(American Wire Gauge or smaller; for the English
System, it is the B & S Gauge or Browne and Sharpe
Gauge. The smallest size of wire permitted is No. 14.

Cables – are single insulated conductors No. 6 AWG

or larger; or they may be several conductors of any
size assembled into a single unit.

Bus Bars – large conductors which are not circular

in cross section and usually found only to supply the
main switch boards.

CONDUCTOR SIZES
AWG/MCM STANDARD

All conductor sizes from No.

Service Entrance – the point of delivery of electricity 16 to
to a building by a public utility company. No. 0000 (also designated 4/0)
are expressed in AWG. Beyond
AWG No. 4/0, a different
designation, MCM (or thousand
Main Switchboard – The
circular mil) is used. In this designation, the
service entrance conductors in
smallest MCM size is 250 MCM or ½” ∅ and the
the form of bus bars
biggest is 500 MCM. A circular MIL is an artificial
terminates in the main
area measurement, representing the square of the
switchboard and connects to
cable diameter (diam2) when the diameter is
the distribution panel boards
expressed in mils (thousands of an inch). Thus a
by means of feeder circuits
solid conductor ½ inch in diameter is 500 mils in
protected by circuit breakers.
diameter, or 250,000 circular mils in area,
The main switchboard serves
(500)2 or 250 MCM; thus;
for the control, protection and
CM/1000 = diam2 = (500)2/1000 = 250,000/
metering of the main feeders.
1000 = 250 MCM
In the metric system, conductor sizes are given
simply as the diameter in millimeters (mm).
CONDUCTOR AMPACITY Service Entrance Cable (Type SE or USE) – a single
or multi-conductor assembly provided with or without
Conductor current carrying capacity or ampacity is an overall covering primarily used for service wire.
the maximum operating temperature that its
insulation can stand continuously. Heat is generated Power and Control Tray Cable (Type TC) – a factory
as a result of the current flowing and the conductor assembled two or more insulated conductors with or
resistance. When conductors are placed in an without associated bare or covered grounding under
enclosed conduit, the heat generated is not as easily a metallic sheath and is used for installation in cable
dissipated as it would be if the conductor were free trays, raceways, or where supported by wire.
in the air. Thus, the current rating of a conductor in Flat Cable Assemblies (Type
free air is much higher than that for the same were it FC) – an assembly of parallel
in a conduit. conductors formed integrally
with an insulating material
web designed especially for
TYPES OF CABLES field installation in square structural channels.

Armored Cable (Type AC) – a Flat Conductor

fabricated assembly of insulated Cable (Type FCC) –
conductors enclosed in flexible consists of three or
metal sheath. more flat copper
conductors placed
Metal Clad Cable (Type edge to edge
MC) – a factory separated and
assembled cable of one enclosed within a
or more conductors each insulating assembly.
individually insulated and This type of cable is
enclosed in a metallic used for appliance
sheath of interlocking or individual branch
tape of a smooth or circuits installed inside floor surfaces.
corrugated tube. Medium Voltage Cable (MV) – a single or multi-
conductor solid dielectric insulated cable rated at
Mineral Insulated Cable 2,000 to 35,000 volts. Trade name is Medium
(Type MI) – a factory Voltage Solid Dielectric.
assembled conductor/s
insulated with a highly
compressed refractory
3.2 INSULATORS
mineral insulation
INSULATORS are materials which prevent the flow
enclosed in a liquid and
of electrons through them.
gas tight continuous
copper sheath.

Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type NM or NMC) –

also known by the trade name ROMEX, is a factory
assembly of two or more insulated conductors
having a moisture
resistant, flame
retardant, and non-
metallic material
outer sheath.

Shielded Non-Metallic Sheathed

Cable (Type SNM) – a factory
assembly of two or more insulated
conductors in an extruded core of
moisture resistant and flame
retardant material covered within
an overlapping spiral metal tape.
Underground Feeder and Branch
Circuit Cable (Type UF) – a
moisture resistant cable used for
underground connections including
direct burial in the ground as feeder
or branch circuit.
TYPES OF INSULATORS

General Wiring
Trade name Type Maximum Operating Application
Letter Temperature Provisions
Moisture-& heat-resistant RHW 75 C
O
Dry and wet
rubber 167 F O
Locations
Thermoplastic T 60 C
O
Dry locations
140 F O

Moisture-resistant TW 60 C
O
Dry and wet
thermoplastic 140 F O
Locations
Heat-resistant thermoplastic THHN 90 C
O
Dry locations
194 F O

Moisture-& heat-resistant THW 75 C

O
Dry and wet
thermoplastic 167 F O
Locations
Moisture-& heat-resistant THWN 75 C
O
Dry and wet
thermoplastic 167 F O
Locations
Moisture-& heat resistant XHHW 90 C
O
Dry locations
cross-linked thermosetting 194 F O
Wet locations
polyethelene 75 C
O

167 C
O

Silicone-asbestos SA 90 C
O
Dry locations
194 F O

Asbestos and Varnished AVA 110 C

O
Dry locations
Cambric 230 F O
only

3.3 CONDUITS
- CONDUITS are circular raceways used to enclose Convenience Outlet or Attachment
wires and cables and are of metal or plastic (PVC). Cap - the complete set-up which
establishes connection between
 To protect the enclosed conductors from the conductor of the flexible cord
mechanical injury and chemical damage. and the conductors connected
 To protect people from shock hazards by permanently to the receptacle.
providing a grounded enclosure.
 To provide a system ground path. Lighting Outlet – is an outlet intended for direct
 To protect the surroundings against fire connection to a lamp holder, lighting fixture, or
hazard as a result of overheating or short pendant cord terminating in a lamp holder.
circuiting of the enclosed conductors.
 To support the conductors. Receptacle Outlet – is an outlet where one or more
receptacles are installed.

3.4 RACEWAYS – are

channels or wiring 3.6 SWITCHES – are devices for making, breaking,
accessories so designed for or changing conditions in an electrical circuit under
holding wires, cables and bus the conditions of load which they are rated.
bars that are either made of
metal, plastic, or any
insulating medium.

3.5 OUTLETS and

RECEPTACLES – An outlet is
a point in the wiring system at
which current is taken to
supply utilization equipment. It
refers only to the box. A TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING TO VOLTAGE
receptacle is the wiring device
Switches are rated as 250V, 600V, or 5KV as
in which the utilization
required.
equipment (appliance) cord is
plugged into.
TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING TO INTENSITY TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO
OF USE OPERATION MECHANISM
1. Normal Duty (ND) – intended for normal use in Wiring switches may also be classified according to
light and power circuits as in general-purpose the operating mechanism as:
switches
1. Rotary switch
2. Heavy Duty (HD) – intended for frequent
interrupting. 2. Push-button switch

3. Light Duty (LD) –intended to connect the loads 3. Toggle or tumbler switch
occasionally, such as service switches.

TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO NUMBER

TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO TYPE OF OF POLES AND THROWS
SERVICE 1. Poles – that part of the switch which is used for
1. Service Switch – intended to disconnect all making or breaking of a connection and which is
the electric service in the building except electrically insulated from other contact making or
emergency equipment. This may comprise breaking parts.
one to six properly rated switches that are 2. Throws - a single throw switch is one which will
assembled into a switchboard. make a closed circuit only when the switch is thrown
in one position. A double throw switch will make a
closed circuit when thrown in either of two positions.
2. Power Switches –
A. General –purpose switches – are Wiring switches may either be the flush type, surface
intended for use in general distribution type or the pendant type.
and branch circuits.

B. Disconnecting or isolating switches – SPECIAL SWITCHES

are intended for disconnecting or
Time Controlled Switches – This device comprises a
isolating circuits; used for circuits rated at
precision low speed miniature drive motor (timer) to
more than 600 volts.
which some type of electric contact-making device is
connected.
3. Wiring Switches – include all the relatively 2. Remote Control (RC) Switches – A contactor [1],
small switches that are employed in interior or more specifically, a relay [2], that latches after
wiring installations for the control of branch being operated wireless from a distance.
circuits, individual lamps or appliances.
3. Air Switch – a switch in which the interruption of a
A. General–purpose switches – are single-
circuit occurs in air.
pole or double-pole switches for the
general purpose use of connecting or 4. Knife Switch – a form of air switch in which a
cutting-off circuits for the control of lamps hinged copper blade is placed between two contact
or other loads from a single point. clips.

B. Three-way switches – are used where it 5. Float Switch – a switch controlled by a conductor
is desired to control lamps from two floating in a liquid.
different points, as in a stairwell 6. Mercury Switch – an especially quiet switch that
opens and closes an electric circuit by shifting a
C. Four-way switches – are used in sealed glass tube of mercury so as to uncover or
conjunction with two 3-wire switches cover the contacts.
where it is desired to control lamps from
three or more desired points. 7. Key Switch – a switch operated only by inserting
a key or a card. Also called a card switch.
D. Electrolier or multi-circuit switches – are
8. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) – This device,
used for the control of lights in multi-lamp
an essential part of an emergency or standby
fixtures so that one lamp or set of lamps
service, is basically a double throw switch, generally
may be turned on alone or in combination
3-pole, so arranged that on failure of normal power,
with other lamps.
emergency service is automatically supplied.
E. Momentary contact switches – are used
where it is desired to connect or cut-off a
circuit for only a short duration. The 3.7 WALL PLATES OR FACEPLATES - These are
switch is provided with a spring so that it coverings for switches and wall outlets usually made
will return to its original position as soon of metal or of phenollic
as the handle or button is released. compound (Bakelite).

F. Dimmer switches – a rheostat [1] or

similar device for regulating the intensity
of an electric light without appreciably
affecting spatial distribution. Also called a
dimmer.
 3.8 OVER-CURRENT CIRCUIT Rigid Metal Conduit Wiring – is the best and most
PROTECTIVE DEVICES – are expensive among the usual type of wiring. Its
devices whose sole purpose is to advantages are:
protect insulation, wiring,
switches and other apparatus from overheating or 1. It is fireproof;
burning, due to overloads, to faults or to short 2. Moisture proof;
circuits, by automatically cutting off the circuit.
3. It is mechanically strong so that nails cannot be
Fuse – is a device consisting of an alloy link of wire driven through it and it is not readily deformed by
with a low melting temperature which is inserted in blows;
the circuit, in such a way, that all current which
passes through the circuit, must also pass through 4. It resists the normal action of cement when
this metal. embedded in concrete or masonry.
Circuit Breakers– is an over- Flexible Metal Conduit
current protective device Wiring – Its installation is
designed to function as a much easier and quicker
switch, or it can be manually than that of rigid metal
tripped and thus act as a circuit conduits. Unlike the rigid
switch. It breaks a circuit with conduits which come in short lengths of 10 ft. (3 M),
an automatic tripping device flexible metal conduit wiring comes in length of 25 ft
without injury to itself. – 250 ft (8 M – 83 M) depending on the size of the
conduit.
Armored Cable Wiring (Bx
Ground Fault Circuit Wiring) – consists of rubber
Interrupters (GFCI or GFI) – is or thermoplastic covered
an over current protective wire protected from injury to
device that will provide ground a certain extent from
fault protection as well as dampness by one or two
function as an ordinary circuit layers of flexible steel armor.
breaker.
Surface Metal Raceway Wiring – the wires are
Panel boards – popularly known as “panel” or supported on a thin sheet steel casing. The raceway
“electrical panel”, it is simply the box wherein the is installed exposed, being mounted on the walls or
protective devises are housed from which the ceiling. Metal raceways must be continuous from
circuits and bus bars terminate. outlet to outlet or junction box, designed especially
for use with metal raceways.
Flat Cable Assemblies – a field installed rigidly
mounted square structural channel (1 – 5/8”
standard) designed to carry 2 to 4 conductors (No.
10 AWG) and will act as light duty (branch circuit)
plug-in busways.
Lighting Track – a factory-assembled channel with
conductors for one to four circuits permanently
installed in the track that will act as light duty (branch
circuit) plug-in busways.
Switchboards – are free standing assemblies of Cable Tray / Open Raceway – is a continuous open
switches, fuses, and/or circuit breakers whose support for approved cables. When used as a
function normally is to provide switching and feeder general wiring system, the cables must be self-
protection to a number of circuits connected to a protected, jacketed types, type TC.
main source.
Floor Raceways – The NEC recognizes three types
Unit Substations – (Transfer Load Centers) an of floor raceways:
assembly of primary switch-fuse-breaker, step-down
transformer, meters, controls, bus bars and 1. Underfloor Ducts (UF) installed beneath or
secondary switchboard. It is used to supply power flush with the floor. These underfloor ducts
from a primary voltage line to any large facility. usually requires a triple duct system for
power, telephone and signal cabling.
2. Sructural/electrical system in a cellular metal
floor.
3. Precast Cellular Concrete – made of
concrete cells fed from header ducts, which
are normally installed in concrete fill above
the hollow core structural slab or fed from the
4. WIRING SYSTEMS ceiling void below. The cells can be used for
air distribution and for piping.
4.1 WIRING METHODS
Ceiling Raceway Systems – under-the-ceiling
Knob and tube wiring – an obsolete wiring system raceways composed of header ducts and distribution
consisting of single insulated conductors secured to ducts separate for power and telephone cabling.
and supported on porcelain knobs and tubes. When They permit very rapid changes in layouts at low cost
wires run through walls, they are inserted into a non- and are therefore particularly desirable in stores
metallic fire-resistant tubing called a loom.
where frequent display transformations necessitate
corresponding electrical facility adjustments.
PRE-WIRED CEILING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
– are ceiling raceways that are pre-wired in the
factory and plugged in where required

ELECTRICAL WIRES