Unit 4: Electricity: IHM Notes Site - Hotel Engineering
Unit 4: Electricity: IHM Notes Site - Hotel Engineering
UNIT 4: ELECTRICITY
Electric Charges
Electric charges are made up of positive charges (protons) and negative charges
(electrons). When these charges flow in a circuit, a current is produced.
Electric Circuits
Electric circuits are made up of electrical components These components must
be joined together without any gap in between to form a closed circuit.
Incomplete circuits are called open circuits.
Both the circuits in the diagram are incomplete, hence they are known as “open
circuits”.
An electric current flow only when there is: a source of electrical energy and a
closed circuit.
Switches
A switch is used to open or close a circuit.
Circuit diagrams for open and closed circuits
Series Circuit
• A series circuit connects the components one after the other.
• A single loop is formed
• A break in any part of a series circuit stops the flow of current in the
whole circuit.
Parallel Circuit
• A parallel circuit divides into two or more branches.
• The current divides and flows through each parallel branch.
• If a component breaks or is removed, the other components remain on.
Voltage
An electric cell gives energy to the electrons and pushes them round a circuit.
Voltage is a measure of how much energy the electrons receive. Different
voltages are supplied by different cells and batteries.
Voltmeter
Voltmeters must be connected in parallel to the circuit. The positive side of
voltmeter is connected to the positive terminal of the cell, and vice versa.
Resistance
When an electric current flow through a circuit, there will be some resistance
that opposes it. (similar to friction) It can be measured by dividing voltage by
the current.
Resistance
• Good conductors of electricity have LOW RESISTANCE. (Eg. Metal objects)
• Electricity is able to flow through them very easily
• Poor conductors of electricity have HIGH RESISTANCE. (Eg. Wood, cloth)
• Electricity is not able to flow through them easily
• The SI unit for resistance is ohm.
• Different electrical components have different resistance
• For example, nichrome wires have a higher resistance than copper wires.
Resistors
An electrical component that is specially made to have a certain resistance is
called a resistor. They can be connected in a circuit to resist the current flow.
AC & DC System
There are two systems of electric generation and supply, Direct current or DC.
Alternating current or AC. Direct Current: it is the kind of electric current that
may or may not change the magnitude but the direction of the current will
never change. E.g. Cells, Batteries and DC Generator.
Alternating Current: it is the kind of electric current, which not only changes its
magnitude but also its sign as time passes, in a definite manner. This is the
current that is supplied by Power station for domestic and commercial use.
Max. voltage is known as Amplitude.
3 Pin Plug
• The live wire carries current to the appliance at a high voltage.
• The neutral wire completes the circuit and carries current away from the
appliance.
• The third wire, called the earth wire (green/yellow) is a safety wire and
connects
• the metal case of the appliance to the earth.
• A fuse is nothing more than a short length of wire designed to melt and
• separate in the event of excessive current.
• Fuses are always connected in series with the component(s) to be
protected from overcurrent, so that when the fuse blows (opens) it will
open the entire circuit and stop current through the component(s).
SHORT CIRCUIT
• Short circuit occurs when a live conductor comes in direct contact with
the neutral or earth conductor.
• A very low resistance path is provided to the current.
• The current then does not pass through the appliance but a heavy
current pass through the wires of the circuit directly bypassing the
appliance circuit.
• When current passes through the appliance, the appliance offers
resistance to the current thus reducing its magnitude.
• Since the resistance is by passed, a huge current flow through the circuit
and normally the fuse blows off or the MCB switched off and the
appliance is saved.
• Short circuit can occur inside an appliance or in the wiring system when a
live wire comes in direct contact of the neutral wire.
FUSE
• Fuses are very important part of any electrical system.
• Fuses are special devices that can be inserted in the circuit and consist of
wires of low melting point.
• Whenever current through a part of the circuit becomes very high, the
wires in the circuit get heated.
• The fuse material having low melting point melts quickly and snaps the
circuit, thus, stopping the current flow before further heating could melt
the whole wiring system and cause a possible fire.
• Hence, FUSE IS A DEVICE WHICH CUTS OFF THE CIRCUITS WHEN MORE
THAN THE PREDETERMINED VALUE OF CURRENT FLOWS IN A CIRCUIT.
• The std. fuse sizes are:
• 2 amps – 480 W
• 5 amps – 1200 W
• 10 amps – 2400 W
• 13 amps – 3120 W
Types of Fuse
Semi enclosed fuse or \re-wireable fuse or Kit Kat fuse Unit:
• This kind of fuse is most commonly used in the case of domestic wiring
and small-scale usage. Another name for this type is the KIT-KAT type
fuse. The main composition is of a porcelain base which holds the wires.
• The fuse element is located inside a carrier that is also made out of
porcelain. It is possible for you to remove the fuse carrier without any risk
of electrical shock. Normally what happens is that when the fuse blows,
you can replace it without having to change the complete thing.
• The main metals or alloys used in making fuse wire include lead, tinned
copper, aluminium or tin lead alloy.
Cartridge Fuse:
• Cartridge fuse as the name implies, has a shape similar to the cartridge of
a bullet.
• In a cartridge – type fuse, the fuse wire is enclosed in a tube bulb or in a
case and the whole unit is sealed off.
• In case the fuse blows out due to some fault or overload, it is replaced by
a fresh unit as the cartridge cannot be replaced.
Earthing
• Connecting outer metal cover of electrical appliances to the earth with a
wire is known as earthing.
• Below are the basic needs of Earthing.
• To protect human lives as well as provide safety to electrical devices and
appliances from leakage current.
• To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase (If fault occurs on any
one phase).
• To Protect Electric system and buildings form lighting.
• To avoid the risk of fire in electrical installation systems.
• Common methods of Earthing:
• Plate
• Pipe
• Rod
Pipe Earthing
Electric Wires & Types of Wiring
• Wires are used for carrying current from one point in the circuit to
another.
• To prevent accidents and fire hazards, wires must be coated with
insulating material.
• The term cable is used for all heavy section insulated conductors.
Types of Wires
Vulcanized Indian Rubber (VIR):
• It consists of a copper wire covered with a layer of rubber insulation with
a protective cotton braid over it.
• It is rarely used now since it absorbs moisture.
• Still used in hand held irons etc. Where maximum flexibility is required.
• When the rubber insulation melts its performance goes down.
Lead Alloy Sheathed Wires:
• Ordinary VIR cables and wires are unsuitable for damp conditions.
• In order to use VIR wires under damp conditions, a thin lead covering is
made on them.
• These are expensive.
• These wires are somewhat moisture proof, because instead of vitrified rubber,
they are covered with tough rubber compound.
• They are cheaper than lead sheathed wires.
• They are not affected by chemicals, water and steam.
Cleat Wiring
• This type of wiring is suitable for temporary wiring purpose.
• The porcelain or wooden cleats are very easy to erect and fixed at a
distance of 4 to 5 m apart.
• VIR or PVC wires are normally used in this system of wiring.
• Easy to dismantle and reusable.
Conduit Wiring
• Conduit Wiring System is best for domestic and coercial installations.
• It provides proper protection to the installation against fire hazards,
shock, mechanical damage and dampness.
• The cable used in this system is either V.I.R or PVC insulated and is run in
mild steel or PVC pipes called conduits.
Calculation:
• Energy consumed by 100-watt lamps = 100 X 12 X 10 X 30 /1000 = 360
kWh
• Energy consumed by 3 kW water heater = 3 X 1 X 5 X 30 = 450 kWh
• Energy consumed by 2hp motor = 1.492 X 1 X 2 X 30 = 89.52 kWh
• (1 hp = 746 watt = 0.746 kWh
• 2 hp = 2 X 0.746 = 1.492 kW)
• Total energy consumed = 360 + 450 +89.52 = 899.52 kWh
• Rate / unit is Rs. 7
• Amount of electricity charge = 899.52 X 7 = Rs. 6296.64
• TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILL = 6296.64 + 250 = Rs. 6546.64
Illumination
Importance of Lighting in Hotels
• The hospitality industry is all about providing guests the very best for
their pleasure. From the moment they walk in, every element, from the
lobby to the dining's areas and rooms have been designed to create an
immersive, relaxing experience.
• Most of the spaces are designed with a theme or ambiance in mind, and
lighting, whether it's the more traditional grand chandeliers, to modern
concealed lighting, all play a big role in enhancing the desired mood for
the guests.
• Lighting in a hospitality space is complicated by the fact that different
kinds of lights are needed in different areas. Specialist illumination
engineers and architects are required to decide about the lighting aspects
in different areas of the hotel.
• Lighting in a hotel should also ensure that the guest feels at home.
Hence, it is imperative for lighting to be intelligent and to create a
relaxing environment. Lighting control systems can alter intensities, lamp
combinations and colours instantly.
• With miniature and highly-efficient LED light sources, one can create the
right ambience in both white and coloured light.
Types of Lighting
Lighting are of 4 types. They are as follows
a. Direct lighting
b. Indirect lighting
c. Semi direct lighting
d. Diffused lighting
Direct lighting - Direct lighting is where the light is directed straight from the
bulb into the room. It is the type that is produced by most table & floor lamps .
It is the light which shines directly to the room area.
Indirect lighting - It is where all lights are directed on to the ceiling or wall from
which is reflected back into the room.
Semi direct lighting - It is where some of the lights are directed into the room &
some is allowed to be directed reflected from the ceiling.
Diffused lighting - It is where the bulb or the light source is completely enclosed
& lights are diffused through a translucent shade or material.
Incandescent Lamp
Carbon Filament Bulb – It is made up of a glass bulb having a fine carbon
filament wound in a spiral shape. Rarely used now as it produces more heat in
comparison to light and consumes a lot of electricity.
Metal Filament Lamp – This lamp consists of fine metallic wire either straight or
coiled, which is called the filament. The filament is made up of tungsten metal
and hence it is also referred to as tungsten lamp. These lamps are available in to
varieties namely, vacuum type and gas filled type.
Vacuum Type – The lamp has vacuum and a filament in shape of a net. Of this
type some special types are frequently used in hotel guests’ rooms.
1. Pigmy lamp
2. Candle lamp
3. Night lamp
These lamps are generally made between 0 to 25 watts. Pigmy and candle
lamps are available in a number of colours. Night lamps are also called 0 watt
lamps and are used to provide dim light while sleeping at night. They may be
clear or milky type.
Gas filled lamps – In order to raise the working temperature of a filament the
bulbs are filled with an inert gas i.e. Argon, Nitrogen etc. instead of vacuum.
2. Mercury Vapour Lamp: A mercury vapour lamp is filled with mercury vapours
(gas) instead of sodium and argon. Its working principle is identical to that of
sodium vapour lamp. These lamps emit different coloured lights when different
activators are added.
Gold: White bluish light
Silver: Bluish light
Copper: Greenish light
Manganese: Deep yellowish light
3. Neon Lamp: They are used for signs and decoration. Different gases are filled
so as to obtain different colours:
Orange colour: Neon gas
Blue colour: Neon and Argon gas
Green colour: Yellow glass, neon gas with mercury
Yellow colour: Yellow glass, helium gas
Fluorescent Tube
A fluorescent tube is a ‘low pressure’ mercury discharge tube. Inside of the tube
is coated with a fluorescent material. These are known as Phosphors.
The tube contains mercury and a small amount of argon gas.
Two tungsten electrodes are sealed at the ends of the tube.
A choke produces a high starting voltage for warming up the electrodes.
Solar Lamps
• A solar lamp also known as solar light or solar lantern, is a lighting system
composed of an
• LED lamp, solar panels, battery, charge controller and there may also be
an inverter.
• The lamp operates on electricity from batteries, charged through the
• use of solar photovoltaic panel.
• Solar lamps use renewable energy with infinity supply which is cheaper
than standard lamps.
• However, solar lamps may have higher initial cost, are weather
dependent.
• Solar lamps are used for outdoor lighting.
External Lighting
• Building
• Lawns
• Approach Road
• Swimming Pool
• Multi-Purpose Games Court
• Parking Area
• Open Air Restaurants