LIGHTING CIRCUITS.

Joint Box System

Figure 2.4 Lighting circuit in joint box method.

Looping – in System
Switches
A Switch is a device for controlling a circuit or part of a circuit. The control
function consists of energising an electrical circuit, or in isolating it from the
supply. The type of switch generally indicates the form which this control
takes. For instance, a single-pole switch (usually called 'one-way’) controls the
live pole of a supply. A double-pole switch controls two poles.
Switches are designed for use on dc and/or ac.
The most common lighting circuits are controlled by using;
a) one-way switch,
b) two-way switches and,
c) intermediate switch.
a) one-way switch,
The single-pole, one-way switch provides the ON and OFF control of a circuit-
from one position only. When the switch is closed, the lamp is on; when the
switch is open, the lamp is off.
The double-pole switch is used in any situation where the voltage of the
neutral conductor of a supply system is likely to rise an appreciable amount
above earth potential: use of the double-pole switch means that a two-wire
circuit can be completely isolated from the supply.
The usual application is for the main control of sub-circuits and for the local
control of cookers, water-heaters, wall-mounted radiators, and other fixed
current-using apparatus.
The double-pole switch is often used for the ‘master’ control of circuits, the
switch operated by a ‘secret key’ attachment, and in consumer units for the
complete isolation of an electrical installation from the supply.
Examples
1. Three light points each with one way switch are to be wired. Switches
are to be provided in different places. Draw the following:
(a) Schematic diagram.
(b) Wiring diagram in looping- in system.
 (c) Wiring diagram in joint box sytem.
Solution.
(a)

Schematic diagram.
(b)

Wiring diagram in Looping – in system.

(c)

Wiring diagram in joint-box system.

b) two-way switches.
The two-way switch is basically a single-pole changeover switch offering two
alternative routes for the passage of the circuit current.
These switches are sometimes known as 'landing' switches from the days when
their application in the electrical installation was virtually limited to 'one in the
hall, and one on the landing upstairs'.
The two-way switch is still used extensively for stair lighting, it is also found in
bedrooms (door and bedside), long halls (at each end) and particularly in any
room with two entry doors (one at each door) and wherever it is necessary to
have one or more lights controlled from any one of two positions.
In design, the switch has four terminals, two of which are permanently
connected together inside the switch by a small copper bar on what is called
the "bar' side. One of the bar terminals is blanked off to form a non-separable
contact. The switch feed is taken to the other open terminal on the bar side.
The two other terminals are connected to the strapping wires. Two-way
switches are used in pairs, interconnected so that the switch wire of the light
circuit is taken from the open terminal on the bar side of the second switch.

Solution.

Schematic diagram.
c) intermediate switch.
A switch for controlling a circuit where more than two positions of control are
required, and so called because it occupies an intermediate position between
the two – way switches used in conjunction with it.
The intermediate switch offers control of a Circuit from any one of three
positions, the other two positions being at the two two-way switches with
which the intermediate switch is most often used. The intermediate wiring
circuit is basically a two-way circuit in which the strapping wires are cross-
connected by the two ON positions of the intermediate switch.
The application of the intermediate switch in electrical installations are
extensively used in long halls, corridors and passage-ways with many doors are
still wired up for two-way control. For reasonable convenience the light or
lights should be controlled from every door and entrance. Thus, the user of this
type of circuit can make his way through a house, switching on lights before
him, and switching off behind him without having to grope about in the dark.
DOMESTIC RING, SPUR AND RADIAL CIRCUITS.
Socket Outlet (S/O):
A socket outlet is a device with protected current carrying contact intended to
be mounted on a fixed position and permanently connected to the fixed wiring
of the installation.
It enables the connection to it by a flexible cord or cable by means of plug.
The S/O can be either be connected in ring, radial or spur.
Ring Circuit
In ring circuit the circuit conductors (cables) come from Consumer Control Unit
or Distribution Board and are connected to individual S/O in the circuit in a
continuous manner from one S/O to the other depending on the number of
S/O in the circuit and upon connecting the very last socket outlet the circuit
conductors (cables) are run back to the Consumer Control Unit or Distribution
Board.
The entire circuit conductors should form a good continuity.

Fig 1.1 Ring connection of socket outlets.

Radial Circuit.
In a radial circuit the socket outlets are connected straight from the Consumer
Control Unit or Distribution Board.

Fig 1.2 Radial socket outlets connection.

Spur circuit.
Spur circuit is a branch from the ring circuit connection, the connecting cables
branch-off from socket outlet forming part of a ring circuit connection to
another socket outlet not forming part of a ring circuit and this socket outlet is
referred as to be connected in spur circuit.

Fig 1.3 socket outlets connection in ring and spur circuits.

I.E.E Regulation in regard to socket outlets

• Regulation A31 states that S/O of two gangs or multiple S/O shall be
considered as one.
• Regulation A32 states that stationary appliance connected from a ring or
radial mains shall be protected by fuse not exceeding 13A
• Regulation A34 two S/O can be wired with 2.5mm2 cables and protected
by 20A fuse. The reason for this is that it is unlikely that both 13A s/o
would ever supply the full rated current. This is even more the case in
ring main circuit where some S/O never supply more than is need for
table lamp radio or television set. (ie. less than 0.5A)
• A41 states that unlimited number of socket outlet can be installed
provided the area does not exceed 100m2.
• A36 states that except where ring circuit is run through metallic conduit
or trunk ECC shall be in form of a ring
• A38 states that the total number of spur circuit socket outlets shall not
exceed total number of socket outlet in ring.
WATER HEATING SYSTEMS.
The main feature of the electric element used for water-heating is that it is a
resistive conductor, insulated and protected from direct contact with the
water.
The element material is usually of nickel chromium alloy and wound in the
form of a spiral.
The insulating material is compressed mineral-oxide powder which can
withstand the high temperatures produced by the element.
The sheath is of copper or stainless steel.
Elements made in this form are able to withstand rough usage.
Other types of element consist of spirals of nickel-chromium alloy enclosed in
porcelain insulators and mounted on a central rod.
Their construction is such that they can be withdrawn for inspection and
repair.
Water heater appliances.
1. Electric kettle.
Made in a large variety of patterns, the body is either aluminum or chrome-
plated copper. The heating clement is spiral-wound resistance wire, insulated
with magnesium oxide and sheathed.
The element, being pre - formed and self-contained, can be fitted and removed
easily from the body by means of a screw thread.
A gasket is placed between the element and the body to make a water.
tight joint.
Loadings vary from 60 to 3000 watts. Connection is made by means of an
appliance connector provided with a sliding earth-contact.
Protection against damage, due to accidental operation while dry, is provided
by a safety device containing a bimetallic strip and small heating element.
Sometimes an auto-ejector device is incorporated which pushes the appliance
connector out of the kettle to disconnect the element from the supply should
the kettle boil dry.
2. Free-outlet water-heater (non-pressure type).
It has a cylindrical container with inlet and outlet pipes. The inlet is connected
to the water mains through a valve; the outlet is left open. A heating clement
and a thermostat are located in the bottom of the container; the latter
controls the temperature of the water in the tank. This type of heater is used
to give small quantities (6 litres to 12 litres) of hot water in an instant for
washing-up duties. The tank is insulated against heat loss by a lagging of fibre-
glass or granulated cork.

Fig 1.4 Non- pressure type water heater.

3. Pressure–type water heater.

This type has a hot-water tank fed from a cold-water cistern placed above it.
The water supplied to the cistern is controlled by a ball-valve.
Hot-water outlets are thus fed under pressure supplied by the head (vertical
height) of the cold water available.
This type of water-heater is available in capacities from 5 litres upwards and
with loadings from 3kW.
Other variations of the pressure-type heaters are the local-storage and the
central-storage types; the latter is used in conjunction with a solid-fuel boiler.

Fig 1.5 Pressure-type water heater.

4. Immersion heaters.
These are units with self-contained heating elements and thermostats for use
where the main heating is provided by a solid-fuel boiler and only
supplementary heating is required by electric means.
The heater consists of a sheathed-wire element, enclosed in a copper sheath
from which it is insulated by compressed magnesium oxide powder. They are
generally fixed into a storage water-tank horizontally
The tank must, of course, be efficiently lagged to cut heat losses.

Fig 1.6 Typical water heater immersion heater.

Fig 1.7 Domestic water heater system immersion heater

5.Instanteneous water heaters
These heaters do not depend on water storage but are activated by water
pressure. When the tap is turned on, the pressure operates the electricity
supply switch, at the same time the water is split up into droplets which flow
over the heating element.
Instantaneous heaters are also suitable for use in local positions where hot
water is required.
They are economical to use because the water is in contact with the live
element and the heaters are connected to metal work, they require special
earthing and bonding.

Fig 1.8 Instantaneous water heater.

RELEVANT IEE REGULATIONS ON WATER HEATING.
1. The parts of the heater or boiler intended to be connected to the incoming
water supply and to the outlet pipe for the water, shall be of metal so as to
afford means of earthing required.
2. The heater or boiler when in use shall have an insulation resistance between
the element and the metal parts of not less than 0.25 Megaohm with water
flowing.
3. The heater or boiler when in use shall incorporate an automatic device to
prevent a dangerous rise in temperature.
4. All metal parts of the heater or boiler which are in contact with the water
(other than current-carrying parts) shall be solidly and metallically connected
to a metal water-pipe through which the water supply to the heater or boiler
is provided, and the said water-pipe shall be in effective electrical connection
with earth by a means independent of the earth-continuity conductor.
5. The heater or boiler shall be provided with an earthing terminal which is in
effective electrical connection with all exposed metal parts of the heater or
boiler, and this terminal shall be effectively connected with the consumer’s
earthing terminal via the earth- continuity conductor of the final sub-circuit
supplying the heater or boiler.
6. The heater or boiler shall be permanently connected to the electricity supply
though a double-pole linked switch which is separate from and within easy
reach of the heater or boiler, and the wiring from the heater or boiler shall be
directly connected to that switch without the use of a plug and socket-outlet;
and, where the heater or boiler is installed in a room containing a fixed bath,
the switch shall comply in addition with regulations.