Source:Government

General Specifications
Published
under
Of India-Central
the authority
for Electrical
Public
of Director
Works
Works
Department
General,
(2013) CPWD, New Delhi
These guidelines and specifications are of immense importance in view of the nee
d to promote green building norms in Central Government buildings being construc
ted and maintained by CPWD.
General Requirements of Components:
All materials and equipments shall be of such design and size to satisfactorily
function under the rated conditions of operation and to withstand the environmen
t conditions at site.
All components in a wiring installation shall be of appropriate ratings of volta
ge, current, and frequency, as required at the respective sections of the electr
ical installation in which they are used.
All conductors, switches and accessories shall be of such size as to be capable
of carrying the maximum current, which will normally flow through them, without
their respective ratings being exceeded.
All components shall conform to relevant Indian Standard Specifications, whereve
r existing. Materials with ISI certification mark shall be preferred.
Similar parts of all switches, lamp holders, distribution fuse boards, switch ge
ars, ceiling roses, brackets, pendants, fans and all other fittings of the same
type shall be interchangeable in each installation.
Planning of Electrical Installation:
Guiding Factors:
Adverse conditions like humidity, high/low ambient temperature, pollution, heat,
dust, flame etc. are likely to affect the installation
Possible presence of inflammable or explosive vapour, gas, liquid
The degree of mechanical and electrical protection necessary
Flexibility for future modification or extension
Energy conservation measures
Reducing operation and maintenance cost with appropriate use of automation
Provision for allied services such as telephone wiring, networking, dedicated ea
rthing etc.
Location and Requirement of Sub-Station:
Electrical sub-station is required when electric load is in excess of permitted
LT supply limit of Electrical Supply Authority
or for technical reasons
Ideal location would be at the load centre and and shall be located on the groun
d floor in a separate building
Floor level should be above the highest flood level of the locality
Location of Switch Room:
When it is not necessary to provide a sub-station, a switch room shall be provid
ed
Shall be preferably near the entrance of the building on the ground floor
Quality of
Parameters
Voltage
Frequency
Absence of
Protection

Electric Supply:
which decide the quality of electric supply areharmful harmonics
against Surge/Lightning

Standby Generator Set is required for essential power loadsWater Supply Pump Sets
Lifts
Fire Protection/ Fire Fighting System
Street Lighting

Essential Community Needs

Lighting Design:
Light Power Density- Ratio of total lighting load of a space to the total lit sp
ace area.
Installed interior lighting power of a building shall not exceed the interior li
ghting power allowance determined in accordance with Building Area Method or Spa
ce Function Method
Building Area MethodDetermine the allowed lighting power density
Calculate the gross lighted floor area
Interior lighting power allowance is the sum of the product of the gross lighted
floor area of each building area times the allowed lighting power density
For Multifamily Residential Building, LPD(W/m*m)=7.5
Electrical Power Distribution and Wiring:
Wiring:
Submain Wiring
Circuit Wiring
Point Wiring
Cables:
Minimum size of wiring:
Light Wiring- 1.5 sq. mm
Power Wiring- 4.0 sq.mm
Wiring Accessories:
Control Switches for Point- Single pole switch carrying less than 16A
Switch Box- Suitable in size for surface/recess mounting
Ceiling Rose- Shall not be used on a circuit, voltage normally exceeds 250V
Lamp Holders
Fittings
Fans, Regulators and Clamps