Electrical Installation

ECEg4241

Chapter 1

Introduction

Instructor: G/Tsadik T.
What is Electrical Installation?

• The purpose of electrical installations in buildings is to supply and

distribute power. Buildings that are used for different purposes have
different requirements in this respect. For this reason, the structure of
the buildings must be known before the power supply and distribution
systems can be planned and designed.

• Electrical wiring whether for residential, commercial or industrial

project must be carefully installed and maintained in such a way it will
provide safety to person and property.

• This requires good workmanship, knowledge of electrical principle and

circuitry. Familiarity with electrical wiring accessories is an important
provision beside an awareness of and strict adherence to the provision of
different national and international regulations (IEE, BS, National
Electrical Code (NEC), etc.).
Power System Structure
Cont’d
Breaker Box (Service Panel)
Breaker Box (Service Panel)
Cont’d

Distribution Board
Cont’d
Figure: Wiring of the Distribution Board with RCD (Single Phase) of a
Consumer Unit (from Energy Meter to the Main Distribution Board)
Cont’d
Multi-Storey Building Distribution System (1-phase
Electrical Wiring Installation in a 3-storey Building)
Cont’d
Single Phase and Three-Phase Distribution System
Electrical blueprints/Electrical Floor Plans
Electrical Symbols
Electrical Circuit Diagrams
Cont’d
Cont’d
Cont’d
Circuit with switch control at three locations
— feed at lamp
Cont’d
Cont’d
Cont’d
 Planning for Electrical Design
• A successful electrical power and lighting project depends on
effective planning in the form of drawings, schedules, and
contract specifications. This contract documentation provides a
concise picture of the objectives for the electrical project work to be
done.
• It also serves as a record of intent for owners and as instructions
and guidance for contractors, electricians, installers, and others
performing the work. Contract documents, which might also include
surveys and test data, are legal documents, and they can be used as
evidence in court cases involving contractor malfeasance, or failure
to comply with the intent of the drawings and specifications.
 Cont’d
• The present conformity to accepted formats for drawings and
specifications is the result of years of practical experience
reinforced by accepted national and international standards
issued by government agencies and private standards
organizations.

• The standards organizations are advised by experienced

personnel from the ranks of manufacturers, contractors, and
other interested parties.

• The intent of standards is to produce unambiguous

documentation that is understandable by all project
participants, from engineers and architects to contractors,
project supervisors, electricians, and installers.
 Electrical Drawing Objectives
• Drawing for an electrical project serves three distinct
functions.
1. Describes the electrical project in sufficient detail to allow
electrical contractors to use the drawings in estimating the
cost of materials, labor, and services when preparing a
contract bid.

2. Instructs and guides electricians in performing the required

wiring and equipment installation while also warning them of
potential hazards such as existing wiring, gas pipes, or
plumbing systems.

3. Provides the owner with an “as-built” record of the installed

electrical wiring and equipment for the purposes of
maintenance or planning future expansion. The owner then
becomes responsible for recording all wiring and equipment
changes.
 Cont’d
• A typical electrical drawing consists of solid or dashed
lines representing wiring or cables and symbols for
luminaires, receptacles, switches, auxiliary systems,
and other electrical devices and their locations on a
scaled architectural floor plan of a home or building.

• The drawings also include title blocks to identify the

project, the designers or engineers, and the owner, and
change blocks to record any changes that have been
made since the drawing was first issued.
Cont’d
• In any given set of electrical drawing there are also specialized
drawings such as one-line, elevation or riser, and electrical
equipment installation drawings.
• For commercial projects or new home construction, formal drawings
are required to gain approvals from building inspectors and the local
electric utility.
• A typical set will include several 24x36 in. architectural floor plans
marked with the appropriate electrical graphic symbols. The set might
also include drawings for telephone and multi-media structured wiring,
outdoor wiring, or a security system.

• By contrast, major large-scale construction projects such as shopping

centers, high-rise office buildings, factories, hospitals, and
scientific laboratories might require dozens of 24x36 in. (or larger)
sheets, depending on the size and complexity of the project. These
might include one-line drawings and manufacturer-furnished wiring
diagrams for installing equipment. For complex projects, special
instructions and installation schedules will also be included.
 The Design Process
• Any wiring installation requires a good deal of forethought before it can be
successfully installed. The process of design is a pre-requisite and this activity
requires the consideration of a wide range of issues affecting the site and
buildings. It is the intention of this topic to provide an overview of the system s
and process involved for an electrical engineer delivering the design of an
installation. Therefore the first port of call is to review the general design
process.

• The preparation of electrical drawings for updating an existing electrical system

or constructing a new one is the responsibility of a consulting architect,
engineer, or designated experienced employee in an architectural or
consulting engineering firm. The actual drawing could be performed by on-staff
electrical engineers or designers, or it could be subcontracted out to consultants
specializing in electrical power and lighting design.
 Cont’d
• However, consulting engineering firms are usually retained
to design and supervise the construction and electrical work
in major commercial, industrial, and government projects.

• These firms employ registered professional electrical,

mechanical, structural, and civil engineers as well as
specialists in writing specifications and drafting for large-scale
projects. Some engineering firms also employ registered
professional architects who are experienced in building design.

• All of these specialists might participate in the preparation

and approval of electrical drawings and specifications,
because close coordination between these disciplines will
help to avoid mistakes or oversights that are costly and time-
consuming to correct in the field.
The Construction Industry Structure
The client is the person or group of people with
the actual need for the building, such as a new
house, office or factory. The client is responsible
for financing all the work and, therefore, in
effect, employs the entire building team.

The architect is the client’s agent and is

considered to be the leader of the building
team. The architect must interpret the client’s
requirements and produce working drawings.
During the building process the architect will
supervise all aspects of the work until the
building is handed over to the client.

The quantity surveyor measures the

quantities of labour and material necessary to
complete the building work from drawings
supplied by the architect.

The construction of a new building is a complex

The Building Team process which requires a team of professionals
working together to produce the desired results.
 Cont’d
• Specialist engineers advise the architect during the design stage. They
will prepare drawings and calculations on specialist areas of work.

• The clerk of works is the architect’s ‘ on-site ’ representative. He or she

will make sure that the contractors carry out the work in accordance with
the drawings and other contract documents. They can also agree general
matters directly with the building contractor as the architect’s
representative. The local authority will ensure that the proposed building
conforms to the relevant planning and building legislation.

• The health and safety inspectors will ensure that the government’s
legislation concerning health and safety is fully implemented by the
building contractor.

• The building contractor will enter into a contract with the client to carry
out the construction work in accordance with contract documents. The
building contractor is usually the main contractor and he or she, in turn,
may engage sub-contractors to carry out specialist services such as
electri-cal installation, mechanical services, plastering and painting.
 The electrical team
• The electrical contractor is the subcontractor responsible for
the installation of electrical equipment within the building. An
electrical contracting firm is made up of a group of individuals
with varying duties and responsibilities.
 Cont’d
• Electrical installation activities include:
 installing electrical equipment and systems into new sites or
locations;
 installing electrical equipment and systems into buildings that
are being refurbished because of change of use;
 installing electrical equipment and systems into buildings that
are being extended or updated;
 replacement, repairs and maintenance of existing electrical
equipment and systems

• An electrical contracting firm is made up of a group of individuals

with varying duties and responsibilities. There is often no clear
distinction between the duties of the individuals, and the
responsibilities carried by an employee will vary from one employer
to another. If the firm is to be successful, the individuals must work
together to meet the requirements of their customers. Good
customer relationships are important for the success of the firm and
the continuing employment of the employee.
 Cont’d Designing an electrical installation

• The designer of an electrical installation must ensure that the

design meets the requirements of the IEE Wiring Regulations for
electrical installations and any other regulations which may be
relevant to a particular installation.
• The designer may be a professional technician or engineer
whose job is to design electrical installations for a large
contracting fi rm.

• In a smaller firm, the designer may also be the electrician who

will carry out the installation to the customer’s requirements.

• The designer of any electrical installation is the person who

interprets the electrical requirements of the customer within the
regulations, identifies the appropriate types of installation,
the most suitable methods of protection and control and the
size of cables to be used.
A typical design map
showing some of the
considerations and processes
involved in the design of the
electrical building services
ELECTRICAL PROJECT DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS

• Many different types of electrical drawing and

diagram can be identified: layout, schematic, block,
wiring and circuit diagrams.

• The type of diagram to be used in any particular

application is the one which most clearly
communicates the desired information.
 LAYOUT DRAWINGS OR SITE PLAN
• These are scale drawings based upon the architect’s site plan of
the building and show the positions of the electrical equipment
which is to be installed. The electrical equipment is identified by
a graphical symbol.
 In these drawings the
electrical lines and symbols
are superimposed on an
architectural floor plan, as
shown in Fig..

Electrical system drawing for a two-bedroom

home. The dashed lines match the luminaires
to the switches that control them.
Electrical floor plan layout
• Floor plans for new homes, office buildings, and large
industrial, commercial, or government projects are drawn by
architectural drafters to a scale appropriate to the floor area
of the building or project.
• The scales selected are typically from 1⁄4 in. equals 1 ft to 1
in. equals 1 ft, and depend on building size.

• The electrical designer marks the symbols for the electrical

devices such as switches, receptacles, and luminaires and
lines representing wires or relationships on a copy of the floor
plan.
• Next-page figure is a one-sheet electrical wiring
diagram for a two-bedroom private home. It contains
many of the same elements that would be found on
wiring diagrams for larger commercial or industrial
buildings.

• This diagram contains a key of symbols and a list of

branch circuit ratings to guide the electricians or
installers in the field.
• Multiple Circuit Home Run Arrows in Revit
• When multiple circuits are part of one home run, the
designer wants to show multiple arrowheads on the circuit
leader.
• The following illustration shows 3 different circuits,
each with their own home run.
Two Single Home Runs
Double Home Run
Common electrical symbols
CIRCUIT DRAWINGS AND WIRING DIAGRAMS

• Block diagram: a diagram of a system in which the

principal parts or functions are represented by
blocks connected by lines that show the
relationships of the blocks. The purpose of the block
diagram is to show how the components of the cir-
cuit relate to each other and therefore the individual
circuit connections
• are not shown

Block diagram
• Circuit diagrams/Schematic diagrams: A circuit diagram shows most
clearly how a circuit works/functions. All the essential parts and
connections are represented by their graphical symbols. The purpose of a
circuit diagram is to help our understanding of the circuit. It will be laid out
as clearly as possible, without regard to the physical layout of the actual
components, and therefore it may not indicate the most convenient way to
wire the circuit.

Schematic diagram
 Cont’d
• Wiring/connection diagram: A wiring diagram or connection diagram
shows the detailed connections between components or items of
equipment. They do not indicate how a piece of equipment or circuit works.
The purpose of a wiring diagram is to help someone with the actual wiring
of the circuit. A wiring diagram usually gives more information about the
relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices.

Wiring diagram
 activity 1: Drawing circuits
1. Using the basic electrical floor plan and the symbol chart on the following
pages, explain the electrical symbols to the students

2. Give students a standard photocopy of a floor plan (see the end of this
Activity Plan) that includes a kitchen and have them draw one or two 12-
device circuits using electrical symbols and paths for circuits as shown in
the floor plan drawing (Figure 5).

3. Have students draw two outlets that require separate circuits for a fridge
and a dishwasher that go directly back to panel (homerun shown as a
short line directed toward the panel with an arrow on it).

4. Have students draw a legend of symbols for their drawing.

activity 1: Basic wiring Diagram
• Have students produce a basic wiring
diagram.
• Devices and Activity Plan: Wiring a Wall
Section.
• The diagram should show incoming power feeding a
receptacle.
• From the receptacle the cable feeds a switch.
• From the switch the cable feeds a light.

Basic Wiring Diagram

Cont’d
• Wire one duplex outlet and one switch controlling one light,
fed from the outlet.
Cont’d

•Extension Activity
• Draw more wiring diagrams that include more
devices in different configurations.

• Example: Wiring from a switch box running two

lights. The circuit could be more complicated if
the student understands the concepts.
Cont’d

Figure 5 Plan for Main Floor of House

Cont’d
Electrical codes & Regulations
• There are always organizations, rules and
regulations, and standards that could affect
electrical works at all levels.
• These codes all ensure the safe installation and use
of electrical equipment.
• These codes are:
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• Electricity Supply Regulations 1988
• IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers) Wiring Regulations
16th edition
• British Standards Specification (BS)
• British Standards Codes of Practice (CP)
• National Electric Code (NEC)
• EBCS
Isometric drawing for garage/workshop. 1, three-phase supply to ramp: 20 mm2conduit; 2,
single-phase supply to double sockets: 20 mm2 conduit; also 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13; 4,single-phase
supply to light switch in store: 20 mm2 conduit; 7, single-phase supply to light switch in
compressor: 20 mm2 conduit; 8. three-phase supply to compressor: 20 mm2 conduit; 10,
single-phase supply to heater in WC: 20 mm2 conduit; 12, single-phase supply to light switch
in WC: 20 mm2 conduit; 14, single-phase supply to light switch in office: 20 mm2 Conduit 15,
main intake position; 16, single-phase supplies to switches for workshop lights: 20 mm2
conduit; 17, 50 mm × 50 mm steel trunking; 18, supplies to fluorescent fittings: 20 mm2
conduit
Cont’d

Floor plan for garage/workshop

Cont’d

Details of connection diagram for

garage/workshop
 ONE-LINE DIAGRAMS
• One of the most important drawing
types for the design of a new
electrical system or modernizing an
existing system is the one-line
drawing. It uses single lines and
standard symbols to show electrical
wiring or busbars and component
parts of an electric circuit or system
of circuits.

• The one-line drawing differs from

the wiring diagram in that it does
not specify device (receptacle,
switch, luminaire, etc.) locations or
switch locations for controlling those
devices.

Typical one-line electrical diagram

 POWER RISER DIAGRAMS
• Power riser diagrams are
single-line diagrams showing
electrical equipment and
installations in elevation.
• Figure is an example drawn for
a combined office and ware-
house. It shows all of the
electrical equipment and the
connecting lines for service
entrance conductors and
feeders.

• Notes identify equipment, the

size of conduit necessary for
each feeder, and the number,
size, and type of conductors in
each conduit.
Power riser diagram for a combined office-
warehouse building.
Busbar rising main system.
• Before wiring your home, a wiring diagram is
necessary to plan out the locations of your outlets,
switches and lights, and how you will connect them
Introduction
• Your Text here

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• The project deals with the design of the electrical
services of a multistorey building.The objectives of
this project are:
a) To design the complete electrical installation of a
multistory building
b) To provide all necessary diagrams schedule of
Material and
costing including labor.
The design was carried out according to:
a) Three-phase 415V RMs 50Hz, T.T. earthing
system
b) The IEE Wiring Regulations 16th Edition
c) The erns code for the illumination design
d) CUT A requirements
• COURSE OBJECTIVES
• On completion of the course, participants will be able to
• design electrical installations, performing all necessary
calculations
• verify that a design complies with the Regulations
• conduct an initial verification of a new electrical
installation
• conduct an initial inspection of an electrical installation
• design, verify and inspect electrical installations in
compliance with current safety legislation and BS7671.