25 Common Problems

for M&E Engineers

Armada Hotel , Petaling Jaya
26
th
May 2011
10 Common Electrical
Design Problems Part I
Ir. Looi Hip Peu
Hon Sec, ACEM (2010/11)
B.Eng (Hons) (Electrical)
P.Eng (5226), Jurutera Gas
hplooi@unifi.my
26
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CONTENT
2
System Design Wiring Design Protection Installation
Objectives of this Workshop
1. Tariff selection
2. Generator sizing
3. Earthing system
4. PE cable
selection
5. Mains cable
sizing
6. Al vs Cu cables
7. RCD selection
8. Motor starting
9. Standards
10. Malaysian
wiring code
What are the Objectives of this Workshop?
In the Malaysian context, Electrical engineers are
required to design to MS standards and standards
approved.
This responsibility requires:
1. Understanding design principles
2. Understanding Technical Standards
3. Awareness of latest Standards
4. Staying current in knowledge base
The above protects the consultant engineer from
claims of negligence.
OBJECTIVES OF WORKSHOP
3
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This Workshop Module List 5 Common Problems !
1. System design failures
2. Wiring design failures
3. Protection design failures
4. Installation & Other issues
OBJECTIVES OF WORKSHOP
4
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This workshop list 10 common design failures.
Failures are grouped as follows:
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Sel ect i ng Tar i f f St r uct ure 1
At desi gn pl anni ng stage t he
M&E engi neer i s requi red t o:
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 6
Load and
electricity
capacity
calculations
Substation
Space
Planning
Advice Client
on Tariff
Selection
Formal
application
to TNB.
1
TNB Suppl y Handbook 2007
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 7
1
Vol tage Level Sel ect i on
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 8
MD ranges Supply
Voltage
Typical Supply Scheme
Up to 12kVA 230V Overhead service mains from LV mains
12kVA 100kVA 400V 3 phase o/h or u/g LV existing service mains
100kVA 1000kVA 400V Direct cable service from LV board in
substations (single or double chamber)
1000kVA
5000kVA
11kV Directly fed thro TNB 11kV system (11kV
switch room
1000kVA
10000kVA
22kV Directly fed thro TNB 11kV system (22kV
switch room)
500kVA
25000kVA
33kV Directly fed thro TNB 11kV system (33kV
switch room
Above 25000kVA 132kV
275kV
Directly fed thro TNB 132/275kV system
(132/275kV switching stations)
1
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 9
Tariff Unit Rates
A (Domestic) sen/kWh 21.8 to 46 sen
B (LV Commercial)
Up to 200kWh
>200kWh
sen/kWh
sen/kWh
38.0
40.8
C1 (MV General Commercial)
MD consumption
kWh consumption
RM/kW
sen/kWh
24.6
29.6
C2 (MV peak/off peak Commercial)
MD consumption
kWh consumption (peak hours)
kWh consumption (off peak hours)
RM/kW
sen/kWh
sen/kWh
36.6
29.6
18.2
D (LV Industrial)
Up to 200kWh
>200kWh
sen/kWh
sen/kWh
34.2
36.6
1
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Tariff Unit Rates
E1 (MV General Industrial)
MD consumption
kWh consumption
RM/kW
sen/kWh
24.6
28.0
E2 (MV peak/off peak Industrial)
MD consumption
kWh consumption (peak hours)
kWh consumption (off peak hours)
RM/kW
sen/kWh
sen/kWh
30.8
29.6
18.2
E3 (HV peak/off peak Industrial)
MD consumption
kWh consumption (peak hours)
kWh consumption (off peak hours)
RM/kW
sen/kWh
sen/kWh
29.6
28.6
16.8
The s el ec t i on of vol t age connect i on and t ar i f f
s el ect i on have s ome r el at i on. However at
bor der l i ne cas es , s ome devi at i ons ar e al l owed.
SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 10
1
Sel ec t i ng t ar i f f has c ommer ci al c ons equence
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 11
LV Connection
Tariff B/D
LV or MV
connection
<1000kVA
1000kVA
1500kVA
>2000kVA
MV
Connection
Tariff C/E
Pattern of
Consumption,
Load Profile
General
Tariff C1/E1
peak/off peak
Tariff C2/E2
1
Cost difference
between tariff E1
(higher) & D (lower) at
80% load diversity
Cost difference
between tariff E1
(higher) & D (lower) at
60% load diversity
1
1
Monthly charge
difference between
tariff E1 (higher) and
E2 (lower) for 3 shifts
At only 2 shifts
charges under tariff
E1 may be lower
than tariff E2.
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Common f ai l ur e by i nex per i en c ed pr ac t i t i on er
( i nc l udi n g c ont r ac t or s who advi s e c l i ent s ) ?
SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 14
1
No s t udy i s done t o det er mi ne t he c or r ec t t ar i f f
s t r uc t ur e dur i ng pl anni ng s t age .
Th e wr on g t a r i f f s t r uc t ur e i n c a s e of MD a r oun d
750k VA t o 1. 5k VA i s pr opos ed.
Th e wr on g t ar i f f s t r uc t ur e i n c a s e of s e l e c t i on
bet we en p ea k /of f p e ak or gen er a l t ar i f f s t r uc t u r e
i s pr opos ed.
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Common f ai l ur e by i nex per i en c ed pr ac t i t i on er s
( i nc l udi n g c ont r ac t or s who advi s ed c l i ent s ) ?
SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 15
1
Pr e 2006 Tari ff Structure
At l ess than 1MVA LV tari ff i s l ower than MV tari ff.
For l oad >1MVA and l oad di versi t y >75% MV tar i ff
structure i s cheaper. However a detai l l oad anal ysi s
need to be executed to determi ne the best tar i f f
structure.
They exi s t a c l e ar de l i n e at i on b et we en C2/ E 2
( p ea k / of f p e ak t ar i f f s ) a nd C1/ E 1 ( gen er a l t ar i f f s )
whe n at l e a s t 3 s hi f t s ar e r un . Howe ve r t hi s 3
s h i f t s mu s t b e t r an s l at ed i nt o h i g h k Wh
c ons umpt i on dur i n g of f - pe a k h our s . St ud y ne ed t o
be done t o as c er t ai n at pl anni n g s t age .
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SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 16
M
o
n
t
h
l
y
C
h
a
r
g
e
s
MD kW
M
o
n
t
h
l
y
C
h
a
r
g
e
s
MD kW
Pre 2006 Tariff Post 2006 Tariff
M
o
n
t
h
l
y
C
h
a
r
g
e
s
kWh consumption
M
o
n
t
h
l
y
C
h
a
r
g
e
s
kWh consumption
1
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Concl usi on
1. A clear delineation between LV and MV tariff is presented in
the post 2006 tariff. The consultant if possible should opt for
LV tariff taking into consideration availability and capacity of
existing LV network and substations. Planners can also look
at the possibility of connection at MV but metering at LV
since new rules are being drafted by TNB to force
connection at MV even at 500kVA.
2. The post 2006 tariff structure is much less supportive of
peak/off peak demand-management. This require a more
stringent analysis of load demand and the economics of
running 3-shifts.
3. Current TNB supply agreement specify that tariff opted must
stay for 5 years before changing tariff in agreement.
SYSTEM DESIGN CORRECT TARIFF SELECTION 17
1
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Sel ect i ng Generator Capaci t y 2
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
19
Generator set s are mandatory
i n t he fol l owi ng i nst ances:
2
Law / By Law Conditions Standby Generator
1 UBBL Section
243
Fire Lift to be provided for
buildings where last occupied
floor is 18.5m above fire
appliance access level.
Standby generator
required as 2ndary
supply for fire lifts.
2 UBBL Sections
226, 231, 232,
244, 247 etc
and 10
Schedule
Sprinkler, Wet Riser,
Pressurised Hydrants, Hose
Reel system(s) to be provided
in accordance with occupancy
hazard class and built-up area
in accordance with Tenth
Schedule of UBBL.
Standby generator
only required if the
2ndary supply to
services pumps are
NOT diesel engine.
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
20
UBBL Tent h Schedul e;
Sec ondar y s uppl y f or Fi r e Ser vi c es
2
Ty p i c a l S c h e me
S t a nd by s e r v i c e s
f or f i r e p ump i s
e l e c t r i c .
Ma i ns s t a n dby
g e ne r a t or pr o v i de
2 n da r y s up pl y t o
s t a n dby e l e c t r i c
p u mp .
Ma i ns S t a n dby
Ge ne r a t or ha s t o
b e s i z e d t o c a t e r
f or f i r e p ump
s t a r t i n g s u r g e
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
21
UBBL Tent h Schedul e;
Sec ondar y s uppl y f or Fi r e Ser vi c es
2
Al t e r n a t i v e C a s e 1
S t a nd by s e r v i c e s
f or f i r e pu mp
d i e s e l e n g i n e .
Ma i ns s t a n dby
g e ne r a t or n ot
r e qu i r e d i f UB BL
2 4 3 d o n o t a p p l y.
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
22
UBBL Tent h Schedul e;
Sec ondar y s uppl y f or Fi r e Ser vi c es
2
Al t e r n a t i v e C a s e 2
S t a nd by s e r v i c e s
f or f i r e p ump i s
d i e s e l e n g i n e .
UB BL 2 4 3 ( f i r e
l i f t ) r e q u i r e s
ma i ns s t a n dby
g e n e r a t or.
Ma i ns S t a n dby
Ge ne r a t or o nl y
h a s t o be s i z e d t o
c a t e r f or f i r e l i f t
s t a r t i n g s u r g e
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
23
2
Ma i n s S t a n d b y g e n e r a t o r n e e d t o
c a t e r f o r f i r e p u mp ( 5 0 HP )
s t a r t i n g s u r g e .
Ma i n s e s s e n t i a l s u p p l y s t e a d y
l o a d 2 0 0 k W.
S t a n d b y Ge n e r a t o r : 5 0 0 - 6 0 0 k VA
r e q u i r e d ,
On l y 1 p u m p t o m a i n t a i n .
Ma i n s S t a n d b y g e n e r a t o r n e e d t o
o n l y t o c a t e r f o r f i r e l i f t s t a r t i n g
s u r g e .
C a p a c i t y o f s t a n d b y g e n e r a t o r :
2 5 0 k VA .
S e p a r a t e 5 0 HP d i e s e l e n g i n e f o r
f i r e p u mp .
2 p u m p s t o m a i n t a i n .
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
24
2
Ge ne r at or not s i z ed t o t ake i nt o a c c ount
s t ar t i ng s ur ge of l ar ges t mot or i n s ys t e m.
Gener at or Sel ec t i on; Common Fai l ur es
Ge ne r a t or n ot s i z e d t o t a ke i nt o
a c c o u nt s t a r t i ng s u r g e of l a r g e s t
mo t o r i n s y s t e m.
Generator size = 150kVA
Generator size = 250kVA
Ge ne r a t or wi l l s t a l l o n l i f t
s t a r t i n g !
C or r e c t s i z i ng o f Ge ne r a t or t o t a ke
i nt o a c c ou nt l i f t s t a r t i ng s ur g e
( a s s u me 4 x r a t e d ) .
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
25
2
Ge ne r at or not s i z ed t o t ake i nt o a c c ount
s t ar t i ng s ur ge of l ar ges t mot or i n s ys t e m.
Gener at or Sel ec t i on; Common Fai l ur es
Ge ne r a t or n ot s i z e d t o t a ke i nt o
a c c o u nt s t a r t i ng s ur g e o f l a r g e s t
mo t o r i n s y s t e m.
As s ume e s s e nt i a l s t e a dy l o a d
= 1 5 0 k VA
F i r e pu mp = 7 5 HP & s t a r t i ng s u r g e
5 . 5 x r a t e d
Generator size = 250kVA
Ge ne r a t or wi l l s t a l l on F i r e
P u mp s t a r t i n g !
Generator size = 420kVA (min size)
C or r e c t s i z i ng o f Ge ne r a t or
t o t a ke i nt o a c c ou nt l i f t
s t a r t i n g s u r g e .
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SELECTING GENERATOR CAPACITY
26
2
Best Pract i ce
L ar ge I ns t a l l at i on wh er e s t a ndb y ge ne r at or i s
r eq ui r e d un der UBBL 24 3 . Us e s ep ar at e d i es e l
engi ne f or s t andby f i r e pump.
I n al l c a s e s i z e gen er at or t o c at e r f or s t ar t i n g
s ur ge of l ar ge s t mot or :
Gener at or Capac i t y =
( St e ad y s t at e of E s s e nt i a l L oad ) ( L es s l ar ge s t
mot or ) + ( St ar t i ng s ur ge of l ar ges t mot or )
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Ear t h Syst em 3
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WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
28
Many El ec t r i cal Engi neer s ar e st i l l
conf us ed on speci f yi ng t ype of ear t hi ng
sys t em
Wh at ar e t h e t yp e s of e ar t hi n g s ys t ems u s e d i n Mal ays i a
wh i c h ar e i n a c c or d anc e wi t h MS , I EC or BS wi r i n g
s t andar ds ?
3
EARTHING FOR POWER DISTRIBUTION
DEFINITIONS TT, IT, TN-C & TN-S SYSTEMS
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
29
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MS/IEC60364 earthing 2 letters:
(a) 1
st
letter Transformer neutral:
(i) T for connected
(ii) I for isolated
(b) 2
nd
letter; Frame earth:
(i) T for directly connected to
earth
(ii) N for connected to the
neutral at the origin of
installation.
EARTHING FOR POWER DISTRIBUTION
DEFINITIONS TT, IT, TN-C & TN-S SYSTEMS
British IEE or BS7671 has the same definitions.
3
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
30
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3
DEFINITIONS TN-C, TN-S, TN-CS SYSTEMS
The TN System can also
be sub divided into sub
system by the addition
of a 3
rd
letter:
TN-C; N & PE are
common (PEN)
TN-S;
N & PE are separate
TN-C-S;
TN-C occurs up -stream
& TN-S downstream
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
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3
DEFINITIONS TT, IT, TN-C & TN-S SYSTEMS
Various sub system can co-exist within one system.
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
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3
TT System Earth at both ends has 3P and N (4 cables)
TNS System Earth at source only, has 3P, N & P.E. (5 cables)
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
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3
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
34
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3
Malaysia
UK (parts)
TN-C systemin public distribution
TT system in public distribution
WIRING DESIGN EARTHING SYSTEM
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3
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
36 3
Network/Operation Criteria System Chosen /Preferred
Continuity of service critical and
maintenance service available
IT chosen
Continuity of service critical and
consistent maintenance service NOT
available
No satisfactory solution, TT
preferred as discrimination tripping
is easier to implement and damages
lesser with respect to TN.
Continuity of service NOT critical;
competent maintenance services
available.
TN-S chosen (rapid repairs and
extension easily performed).
Continuity of service NOT critical;
competent maintenance service NOT
available.
No satisfactory solution, TT system
preferred.
Fire hazard critical and maintenance
services available.
IT and use of 5mA RCD
OR TT system
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
37 3
Network/Operation Criteria System Chosen /Preferred
Special features; very long networks TT preferred
Special features; Standby Power Supply TT preferred
Special features; Load sensitive to high
load currents (e.g. motors)
TT preferred OR
IT can be acceptable
Special features; Low natural insulation
(furnace) OR very large HF filters
(computers).
TN-S preferred.
Special features; control and monitoring
systems
IT for continuity of service OR
TT for enhanced equipotentiality
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
38
Common Fai l ur es
No c l ear under s t and i n g of Ear t hi ng s ys t em
I n c a mpu s t yp e env i r onment , T T s ys t e m b et we en
s wi t c h boar d s a r e us e d ( on l y 4 c a bl e s and wi t hout PE )
howe ver pr oper e a r t hi ng at bot h e nds ar e not
i ns t al l e d.
Wr on g e ar t h i n g s ys t e m s e l e c t ed , e . g . mos t en g i ne er s
ar e NOT f ami l i ar wi t h I T s ys t em ( un ea r t h ed
neut r a l ) . Howe ve r I T s ys t em s h ou l d be u s e d i n c r i t i c a l
s er vi c e s s uc h a s op er at i n g t h e at r e . Cur r e nt i ni t i at i ve s
ar e be i n g und er t aken t o dr a f t s t an dar d s a nd pr omot e
us e of I T s ys t e m f or c r i t i c al s er vi c e i n Mal ays i a .
3
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The Prot ect i ve Ear t h 4
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
40
Ma ny E l ec t r i c a l E n g i ne er s ar e s t i l l c on f u s ed on
s p ec i f y i n g t yp e of ea r t h i n g s ys t em an d t he
as s oc i at ed pr ot ec t i ve ear t h c onduc t or s .
Typi c al s pec i f i c at i ons :
Wi r i ng t o c ompl y wi t h I EE wi r i ng r egul at i on s
Typi c al des c r i pt i on i n pr i c e des c r i pt i on
1 . L i ght i n g wi r i ng us i ng 2x 1. 5 mm - 1 C + E
2 . Sub mai ns wi r i ng us i ng 4x 50mm - 1 C + E
4
What i s t hi s + E ?
TT System Earth at both ends has 3P and N (4 cables)
TNS System Earth at source only, has 3P, N & P.E. (5 cables)
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
41
Bef or e 2000
Ear t h c ont i nui t y c abl es ar e t ypi c al l y :
Copper t ape
Cabl e ar mour i ng
Even c ont i nui t y of c abl e t r unk i ng / t r ays .
Af t e r 2 0 0 0
T h i s i s NOT
AC C E P TAB L E .
C a b l i ng s y s t e m
wi l l be de e me d
n o t i n c omp l i a nc e
wi t h MS , I E C a nd
I E E wi r i n g c o d e s .
4
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What i s al l owabl e as P. E. ?
WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
42
Types of P.E. approved
Conductors in multi core cables
Insulated or bare conductors in a common enclosure with live
conductors
Fixed installed bare or insulated conductors
Metallic cables sheath, cable screen, cable armour, wirebraid,
concentric conductors, metallic conduit subject to compliance
with 543.2.2.
In China, Italy, UK etc cable trays and ladders can be used as P.E.
Types of P.E. not approved [543.2.3]
Water pipes
Support wire others
4
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
43 4
Cross sectional
areas of line
conductors
S
(mm)
Minimum cross sectional area of the corresponding
protective conductor (mm)
If the protective conductor
is of the same material as
the line conductor
If the protective conductor is
not of the same material as
the line conductor
S < 16 S K
1
/K
2
x S
16 < S < 35 16
a
K
1
/K
2
x 16
S > 35 S/2
a
K
1
/K
2
x S/2
Where
K
1
is the value of k for the line conductor, selected from table A54.1 or from the tables of
IEC50364-4-43 according to the resistance of the conductor and insulation.
K
2
is the value of k for the conductor selected from tables A 54.2 to A54.6 as applicable
a
for a PEN conductor the reduction of the cross section area is permitted only in
accordance with the rules for sizing of the neutral conductor (see IEC 60364-5-52).
EARTHING ARRANGEMENT PART 5-54
WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
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EARTHING ARRANGEMENT PART 5-54
Generally P.E. must be half size phase conductor.
Circuit with phases <16mm must have P.E. SAME size as phase
condutor.
If cable armouring and cable trays/trunking (steel) are to be
used as P.E., then:
1. Above 2 rules must be complied; and
2. Effective area of P.E. (different from copper) must be
corrected with K1 and K2 factors which will require larger
cross sectional area of P.E. for steel.
4
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WIRING DESIGN EARTH & P.E.
45 4
Spec i f y Sub Mai ns :
1 . Sub Mai ns wi r i ng us i ng 4x 50mm - 1C + 1x 25mm - 1 C
2 . Sub mai ns wi r i ng us i ng 5x 16mm - 1 C
F i nal s ub c i r c ui t :
1 . L i g ht i ng wi r i ng
3 x 1 . 5 mm - 1 C
2 . F i n a l s u b c i r c u i t
wi r i n g 5 x 1 0 mm - 1 C
COMPLY WITH MS, IEC AND BS WIRING CODES
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Cor rect l y Si zi ng Mai n Cabl es 5
Image: http://www.leadercable.com.my/
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WIRING DESIGN MAINS CABLE SIZING
47
5
TYPICAL CABLING SIZING FOR COST OPTIMISATION
Transformer
Neutral Earth
MSB Main
Earth Bar
Main Cables;
1200A = 7x300mm XLPE/PVC
1600A = 11x400mm XLPE/PVC
2000A = 14x400mm XLPE/PVC
2000A = 7x630mm XLPE/PVC
3000A = 14x630mm XLPE/PVC
TT Earthing System
FAIL Cable Size
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WIRING DESIGN MAINS CABLE SIZING
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COMPLIANCE WITH MS, IEC AND BS WIRING CODES.
Current Carrying capacities Annex A a road map
Cable in air, ambient temp < 30degC
Cable in ground, ambient temp < 20degC
Temp correction factor
Table A52.14 & A52.15
Soil thermal resistivity < 2.5 K-m/W
correction factor soil t-r
Table A52.15
Groups of Cables types A to D in table 52.1 Table A52.2 to A52.7
Table A52.17 to A52.19 Group reduction factor
Groups of Cables types E to F in table 52.1 Table A52.8 to A52.13
Table A52.20 to A52.21 Group reduction factor
Groups in conduits, trays, ductings
F = 1/ SQRT(n)
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5
5
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BASED ON TABLE B52.10 (CURRENT RATING) AND
TABLE B52.17 (GROUP REDUCTION FACTOR)
Rating Cable Size No of
cables per
phase
Rating of
individual cables
(trefoil) B52.10
Group
reduction
factor B52.17
Effective rating of
cable system
1200A 7x300mm 2 561 Amps 0.88 987 Fail
1200A 11x300mm 3 561 Amps 0.82 1380A Pass
1200A 7x400mm 2 656 Amps 0.88 1154A Fail
1600A 11x400mm 3 656 Amps 0.82 1613A Pass
1600A 14x300mm 4 561 Amps 0.77 1727A Pass
2000A 14x500mm 4 749 Amps 0.77 2306A Pass
3000A 14x500mm 4 749 Amps 0.77 2306A Fail
3000A 14x630mm 4 905 Amps 0.77 2787A Fail
3000A 18x630mm 5 905 Amps 0.75 3393A Pass
Method
F5 (Trefoil)
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Rating Cable Size No of
cables per
phase
Rating of
individual cables
(flat) B52.10
Group
reduction
factor B52.17
Effective rating of
cable system
1200A 7x300mm 2 629 Amps 0.88 1107 Fail
1200A 11x300mm 3 629 Amps 0.82 1547 Pass
1200A 7x400mm 2 754 Amps 0.88 1327A Pass
1600A 11x400mm 3 754 Amps 0.82 1854A Pass
1600A 14x300mm 4 629 Amps 0.77 1937A Pass
2000A 14x500mm 4 868 Amps 0.77 2673A Pass
3000A 14x500mm 4 868 Amps 0.77 2637A Fail
3000A 14x630mm 4 1005 Amps 0.77 3095A Pass
BASED ON TABLE B52.10 (CURRENT RATING) AND
TABLE B52.17 (GROUP REDUCTION FACTOR)
Method F4 (Flat)
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Af t er Ca bl e S i z i n g e ns u r e t hat t he s el ec t e d
met hod of i ns t a l l at i on i s adher ed a s c ur r ent
r at i ng depends on i ns t al l at i on met hod.
WIRING DESIGN MAINS CABLE SIZING
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Rating Cable Size Cables
/phase
Individual cables
(trefoil) B52.10
Group reduction
B52.17
Effective rating of
cable system
3000A 18x630mm 5 905 Amps 0.75 3393A Pass
Rating Cable Size Cables
/phase
Individual cables
(trefoil) B52.10
Group reduction
B52.17
Effective rating of
cable system
3000A 14x630mm 4 1005 Amps 0.77 3095A Pass
1 cable diameter distance
Neutral
Neutral
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Common pr obl ems wi t h Mai ns Cabl e Si z i ng
Cable not sized based on MS/IEC method. Usually group
reduction factor NOT applied.
After sizing cables, the cable rating is based on
installation method (flat or trefoil). Installation method
DO NOT follow recommended installation method at
design. Cable heating occurs.
Best Practice
WIRING DESIGN MAINS CABLE SIZING
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1. Never run cables >1200A more than 100m
2. Ensure installation method match designed method.
3. Using many cables per phase has diminishing returns.
Use bus ducts for >1200A.
25 Common Problems
for M&E Engineers
Armada Hotel , Petaling Jaya
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Ir. Looi Hip Peu | hplooi@unifi.my