Prepare for electrical conduit and wiring installation (MEMINS0071A)

Install, Terminate and connect electrical wiring (MEMCOR0081A)

Electrical cables and associated breaker size

WIRE SIZE BREAKER SIZE

1.5MM2 Single wire 15A Light circuits

2.5MM2 Single wire 20A Plug circiuts

4 MM2 Single wire 30A

6 MM2 Single wire 40A Main breaker

10 MM2 Single wire 50A Main breaker

16MM2 Single wire 60A Main breaker

25MM2 Single wire 70A Main breaker

35MM2 Single wire 100A Main breaker

50MM2 Single wire 125A Main breaker

70MM2 Single wire 150A Main breaker

95MM2single wire 300A Main Breaker

 STEPS INVOLVED IN THE WIRING OF AN INSTALLATION

1. Determine the type and size cable that will be used (sheated, insulated, armoured)
2. Method of installation (Surface or conduit wiring)
3. The Full load current for each circuit
4. Whether the installation is single phase or three phase
5. Type and class of over current protection( fuse or circuit breaker)

Plan and prepare for conduit installation

In planning the layout point should be considered before starting the actual Installation.

1. Pipe run of other trades should be taken into consideration (example gas and water pipes)
2. Make sure that you and the customer sign off on what is on the drawing
3. Make allowance for future expansion
4. Conduit specification and size is determine in compliance with the js21
5. Determine conduit location base of specification on the drawing
6. Ensure that proper OH&s procedures are followed
7. Ensure that consultation with the appropriate personel is carried out and that task is coordinated in an effective manner
8. Determine and obtain all tool for the job in accordance with established procedures
9. Conduit should be erected before any wire is drawn in.
10. Bends on the conduits should no be less than 21/2 times the outside diameter of the conduit.
11.Identify safety hazards and follow procedures
 Marking out

When marking out the following procedure should be followed

1. The position of switches and outlets should be clearly marked out, particular care should be taken of the position and
location of the distribution board.
2. Horizontal Conduit runs can now be struck using a chalk line, when struck against the wall leaves a mark.
3. Vertical conduit runs is strucked using a vertical plumb line.
4. First job after marking out is complete in to cut the wall and insert conduits and boxes

Quality assurance requirements

In this industry you must conform to established standards to ensure quality, therefore whenever you engage in any type of
project the following must be observed.

1. The quality of the work must be done in accordance with drawings, specification and standards.
2. The observance of guidelines
3. Results of the project must meet initial specification

Disadvantage of using galvanize electrical pipes

 Liable to rust due to corrosive effects of chemicals and moisture
 More expensive than P.V.C
 Difficult to hide
 Instrument used to bend metal conduits
EMT Bender
Hickey Bender
How to work out the number of cable that can hold in a conduit

(Conduit Factor ÷ Cable Factor) ×.60

How to work out the number of cables that can hold in a trunking.

(Trunking Factor ÷ Cable Factor)x .55

Guide lines to follow when installing conduit

1. Conduits should be installed before cables are drawn in

2. The radius of the bend should not be more than 2.5 times the outside diameter of the conduit.
3. Ends of the conduits should be filed or reamed to prevent damage to cables.
4. Conduits installed in damp and humid situation must have a water resistant finish (example galvanized)
5. Conduit must be securely fixed and protected from mechanical damage
6. Metal conduit must be kept separate from gas and water pipes.
7. Metal conduits must be effectively earthed and all joints must be mechanical and electrically continuous mechanic.
8. Cables installed in explosive atmosphere must be enclosed in a solid drawn conduit
9. Outgoing and incoming cables must run in the same conduit
10.Substantial boxes must be supplies at every junction where cable connection is required in metallic and non metallic
conduit systems
Cable

is a length of insulated single conductor (solid or stranded), or two or more conductors each having its own insulation, which
are laid up together.

Flexible cable:

Is a cable consisting of two or more core each containing a group of wire.

Flexible cord:

this is a flexible cord in which the cross sectional area of the conductor does not exceed 4mm.

A wire is

A long thin single piece of metal that is used to carry electric current.

Conductor:

A conductors is a material which offers low resistance to the flow of electric current. Conductors use to carry electric current
must have the following properties

 Low electrical resistance

 Mechanicall strong and flexible
 Relatively cheap
Insulator:
Is a material that offers a very high resistance to the flow of electric current. An insulator shoul have the following properties

 High resistane to the flow of electric current

 Mus be able to withstand mechanical stress
 Mus the non absorbent and capable of withstanding high temperature
 Must be able to withstand the corrosive effects of chemical

Service main

Is the cable that runs from the meter socket to the distribution panel

Circuit.
An arrangement of conductors for the purpose of carrying current.
Branch circuit.
That portion of a circuit extending beyond the final overcurrent devices in
the circuit.
Subcircuit.
That portion of a circuit extending beyond the final circuit breaker or set of
fuses.
Final circuit.
A circuit connected directly to current-using equipment, or to a socket outlet or socket outlets or other outlet point for the connection of such
equipment.

Ambient Temperature

Ambient temperature is the temperature of the air surrounding electrical cables.

Distribution Panel Size
The size of the panel is given by the number of single pole circuit breakers that can be
installed
 Each single pole breaker connection is called a “way”
 The number of ways can be determined by multiplying the number of single pole breaker
connection on one side of the panel by 2.

INSTALLATION AND WIRING OF DISTRIBUTION PANELS

The JS21 outlines the regulations for the installation of distribution panel.

 There should be adequate space in which to install, maintain, and operate the switchboard. A clear space of not less than 0.8 m should be
available in front of any switchboard.

 There should be adequate space for drawing in all cables.

 Every distribution panel shall be installed and maintained in an accessible position and (where possible) in dry, well ventilated situations
where flammable or explosive dust, vapour, or gas cannot accumulate, and shall be arranged to prevent the access of corrosive fumes.

 No distribution panel shall be erected above a stove, laundry, copper, tub, wash boiler, or the like, nor in a bathroom, life well, freezing
chamber, or cooling chamber.

 No distribution panel shall be erected in a lavatory, on or under a stairway, unless the switchboard is totally enclosed in metal except that any
switchboard may be erected beneath a stairway built of fireproof materials.

 Where the permanent distribution board for a building is installed at an early stage in the construction of the building, it is important that the
distribution panel be protected during building operations to minimise the accumulation of dust, dirt, or grit that can cause later damage to
the Distribution panel or its components. Cleaning of the interior of the distribution panel may be necessary before final commissioning.
The local code (JS21) of regulations requires that the following minimum specifications be met when installing service conductors and equipment:

 Minimum clearance of aerial conductors from ground

o over public highway -6m
o over public roadway - 5.5 m
o over private roadway - 4.5 m
o over any other location - 4.5 m

See JS21 Table 5 for details on the minimum clearance for the installation of aerial conductors.

 Height for installation of meter socket from ground - 1.8 m(5feet 9inches)
 Height for installation of a distribution panel from ground - 1.7m(5feet 6inches)
 Height of switches -1.4m (4.5feet)
 Convenience plugs (counter tops) -1.2m (4 feet)
 Wall mounted lights -2.3m (7.5feet)
 Wall mounted plugs -0.5m (1.5 feet)
 Minimum size of service main conductors - 6 mm2

Identification of conductors

1. The colour of the insulation or covering

2. The colour of the insulating sleeve
3. A system of numbering of the cables

 The colour green or (green and yellow) shall be used only as earth conductors (grounds wire)

 The colours (Black, Blue or white) cable shall be used as neutral conductors

 The colour Red and Brown shall be used as live or (phase) conductors
 Category of buildings to be protected against lightening

 Building containing flammable or explosive atmosphere

 Buildings over 18.28 meters in height
 Public and private buildings in which fifty or more people are likely to assemble example hospitals,
churches, hotels, schools and cinemas
They shall be protected from lightening by the means of air terminals, down conductors and earthing electrodes in
accordance with the following codes.

1. Lightening protection codes

2. Manual and lightening protection

3. the protecting of structures against lightening.

Test that should be carried out after a wiring installation is complete

1. Installation resistance test

On the completion of every wiring installation a insulation resistance test shall be carried out with direct current
voltage (Megometer) with a voltage of not less than twice the amount of voltage to which the installation would be
subjected to.
This test is satisfactory if the if the insulation resistance reading is 1 mega ohms or less.

2. Continuity test of the wiring installation

 Test between the connection to earth other metal parts of the installation
 All conductors have a continuous path for electricity to flow.
 Polarity test
Test the position of single pole switch and circuit breakers to ensure that a switch or circuit breaker is not connected to
the neutral or earth conductors. Switches and circuit breakers must always be connected to the live (phase) conductor.

See JS21 section 10 for details on earthling

and specifically 10.11 for details on the installation of earth electrodes.

 Minimum size of earth lead conductors - 6 mm2

 Earth electrodes should be driven a minimum of 0.5 m from building walls to clear the
building’s foundations.
 Earth electrodes should be installed with the top at a depth of 0.3 m below the surface in
a hollow cavity sleeved by a rigid materials such as concrete or pvc conduit called an
inspection pit. The top of the pit should be covered to
o prevent corrosion of the connection between the earth lead and the electrode
o
o make the connection readily accessible for inspection

METERING
Metering in domestic installations is done by means of inline meters
 100 A, 120V, 2 wire - used to meter 1PH, 2 wire systems i.e. phase to neutral
 100 A, 240 V, 3 wire - used to meter 1PH, 3 wire system, i.e. two phases and neutral
 200 A, 240 V, 3 wire - used to meter the usage of currents over 100 A
 Figure 1.4 Typical Earth Inspection Pit

Meters may be
• surface mounted – mounted on the surface of the building or other structure
• flush mounted – installed within the fabric of the building such as concrete
Wiring meter sockets
 The incoming service main conductors are connected to the line terminals (FromPothead)
 The outgoing service terminals going to the disconnect switch are connected to the load
terminals. (To Main breaker in distribution panel)
The exact wiring of the socket depends on the distribution system being supplied

 For 1PH, 3wire

o Live line conductors - connected to the top terminals
o Live load conductors - connected to the bottom terminals
o Neutral conductor - passes through meter socket uncut
In Jamaica the neutral conductor is also connected to the earth lug

(a) 1PH, 2 Wire meter socket (b) 1PH, 3 Wire meter socket
Figure 1. Illustration of wiring of 1PH, meter socket using the 4 Jaw meter socket
 Line 1 Line 2

Neutral

The Vernier Caliper is a precision instrument that can be used to measure internal and external distances extremely accurately.
Figure 1.5c Wiring of a typical 1PH, 3W meter socket to pothead
 Micrometer
The micrometer is a precision measuring instrument, used by engineers. Each revolution of the rachet moves the spindle
face 0.5mm towards the anvil face. The object to be measured is placed between the anvil face and the spindle face. The
rachet is turned clockwise until the object is ‘trapped’ between these two surfaces and the rachet makes a ‘clicking’ noise.
This means that the rachet cannot be tightened anymore and the measurement can be read.