The Electricity Wiring Regulation

2020 Edition

Effective Date: 01/04/2020

Issued by the Department of Energy

www.doe.gov.ae

Chapters 7 Questions (Duration 1 ½ hrs)

Name of Delegate: BIBIN BABU

Name of Company: EXTRA HIHG VOLTAGE

ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTRACTING LLC

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1. List 2 requirements for a 13 Amp BS1363 socket outlet plug.

Clause 7.1.1 For domestic Electrical Installations, all single-phase plugs and socket-
outlets must comply with BS 1363 and be fitted with a switch. The use of any other type
of single-phase plugs and sockets-outlets, such as BS 546 (3 round pins) is not
permitted.
[Note: BS 1363 requires plugs to have partly insulated live and neutral pins and include
a fuse complying with BS 1362. Socket- outlets are required to have tamper-proof
shutters on the live, neutral and Earth connections.]

2. Which type of applications can a BS 546 type plug and socket outlet be permitted for?
Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.1.2 For single-phase applications in non-domestic Electrical Installations either

BS 1363 or BS 546 type plugs and socket-outlets are permitted. However, BS 546 plugs
and socket-outlets must be restricted to specialist applications such as high load
Appliances (BS 546 15A plug) or where it is desirable not to intermix certain Appliances,
see Appendix A17(a).
[Note: examples of the use of BS 546 plugs include table lamps in hotel rooms which
are switched from a dedicated lighting Circuit (3A or 5A) or self-contained air-
conditioning units (15A). In the latter case, 15A BS 546 socket-outlets must be supplied
from a dedicated Radial Circuit.]

3. Why are CEE7/7 Shuko plugs and socket outlets are prohibited by the Regulations?

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Clause 7.1.1
[Note: BS 1363 requires plugs to have partly insulated live and neutral pins and include
a fuse complying with BS 1362. Socket- outlets are required to have tamper-proof
shutters on the live, neutral and Earth connections

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4. Explain the functionality and purpose of an isolating transformer in a shaver unit complying
with BS EN 61558-2-5.

The secondary is isolated (SELV system) and there is no current return can happen

Clause 9.1.3 The source of SELV power shall be provided by either:

(a) a safety isolating transformer complying with BS EN 61558, in which there is no connection
between the output winding and the body or with the Circuit Earth Conductor, if any

5. Indicate the minimum number of sockets required by the Regulations in each room below
(Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen, and Toilet).

Room Minimum number of sockets

Living Room 4 double
Bedroom 3 double
Kitchen Worktops 2 double
only BS EN 61558-2-5 shaver socket
Toilet

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6. Explain how the maximum number of socket outlets in a ring can be determined. Support
your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.1.12 The maximum number of single-phase socket-outlets on each Ring or Radial
Circuit shall be determined according to the anticipated load and usage of Appliances. The
assumed loads given in Guidance note G2 may be used in the absence of other loading
information.

7. Give three examples where Double Pole Switches are used in a residential premise.
Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

7.2.7 Double-pole switches must be provided for water heaters, air-conditioning units
and other fixed Appliances operating with or near water supplies.

8. List three requirements where the rating of lighting circuits shall be selected in accordance
with? Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.3.2 The rating of lighting Circuits shall be selected in accordance with the
number of connection points to be supplied, the type and rating of Luminaires to be
used and the Connected Load for the Circuit.

9. What voltage and type of supply can be used for under water lighting?

Clause 7.3.13 Underwater lighting must be supplied by a Separated Extra-Low Voltage

System (SELV) not exceeding 12V AC or 30V DC

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10. If the conduit in the picture below is installed at a shallower depth than 50 mm what must be
done? Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.4.6 Where a plastic conduit is installed within a wall, floor or ceiling it must be
at a minimum depth of 50mm from the surface. If it is installed at a shallower depth not
less than 25mm from the surface, then a metal conduit must be used, and the Circuits
contained in the conduit must be protected by a 30mA RCD

11. A single insulated cable is installed in a slotted (perforated) cable tray. Is this acceptable?
Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.4.10 Single-insulated cables may not be installed in slotted (perforated)

trunking or Cable Trays.

12. Give an example of each of Category 1, 2, and 3 circuits.

Clause 2

Category 1 (a Circuit (other than a fire alarm or emergency lighting Circuit) operating at LV )-
sub main circuits

Category 2 Circuit: a Circuit (other than a fire alarm or emergency lighting Circuit) which
supplies telecommunications equipment (such as telephones, intruder alarms, data
transmission, call bells,

Category 3 Circuit: a fire alarm or emergency lighting Circuit

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13. A Circuit is being fed by 4.0 mm2 single core PVC insulated conductors contained in a 20
mm diameter conduit. What is the maximum number of conductors that are allowed by the
Regulations? Support your answer with the appropriate Clause or Appendix from the
Regulations.

3 nos. of conductor Appendix A9 & Clause 7.4.20

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14. List four criteria used in determining the cross section of cables. Support your answer with
the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.5.10 The cross-section of cables must be selected according to the expected
load, voltage drop, ambient temperature and installation conditions

15. What is the maximum voltage drop allowed from the Connection Point to the remote end of
any final circuit? Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.5.10 The maximum Voltage drop from the Connection Point to the remote end
of any Final Circuit must not exceed 4%, except in special cases where equipment has
been designed to operate under a greater voltage drop

16. The sizing of Final Circuits and Circuits feeding FDBs must be in accordance with the
________________. Other Circuits may be sized in accordance with the _____________,
with allowance made for future load growth where appropriate.

Clause 7.6.1 The sizing of Final Circuits must be in accordance with the Connected
Load on each Circuit (see Guidance note G2), whilst taking account of ambient
temperature, grouping factors, power factor and voltage drop,

17. Why is the use of single core armoured cables not recommended? List three measures
taken in the installation of single core armoured cables? Support your answer with the
relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.5.11 The use of single-core armoured cables should be avoided due to the
possibility of induced heating effects. However, such cables may be used where there is
an exceptional need, with the written consent of the Distribution Company and where
adequate precautions are taken to avoid induced heating effects. Such precautions
must include the appropriate configuration of phases to balance induced currents,
Earthing at one end only and the use of non- ferromagnetic armouring, cable glands,
and switchgear gland plates,

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18. The Regulations do not allow cables to be installed in lift shafts. List two risks associated
with installing cables in lift shafts. Support your answer with the relevant Clause from the
Regulations.

Clause 7.5.19 Cables must not be installed in lift shafts other than those serving lift
functions.
[Note: although a lift shaft may be a convenient means of providing a cable route
through a building this creates unwarranted risk when accessing such Circuits for
maintenance and also provides a vulnerable route for the propagation of fire.]

19. An XLPE/SWA multicore cable is protected by a circuit breaker. The cable tabulated current
rating is 94 A at assumed temperature of 30C. The cable is running on a perforated cable
tray touching 4 other similar cables and the actual ambient temperature is 45C. Based on
the information given calculate the derating factors and actual current rating of the cable

Tabulated current= [cable current/(grouping factor X temperature correction factor)]

Appendix A7 (h) & A7 (g)

94= Actual current rating/(0.75X0.85)

Actual current rating- 59.22A

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20. An appliance is rated for 6KW, 230V, 50HZ, to be installed using a 2 core PVC cable
(armoured). The cable will be run clipped directly to a wall and touching 2 other cables. The
ambient temperature of the installation is 40C throughout its length. Based on the
information given calculate the cross section area of the cable to be used? (Assume Power
Factor to be 0.85 to calculate KW ratings at 230V.

Load current= 6000/(230x0.85)= 30.69A

Breaker size chosen as next higher size of calculated load current= 32A

Cable current = 1.15 X breaker current= 1.15X32= 36.8A

Ig= 0.79 (Reference A7 (h)) , It= 0.84 (Reference A7(g))

Tabulated current rating of the cable = 36.8/(0.79*0.87) = 53.54A

Appendix A7 c- the cable size is chosen as 10 Sqmm PVC cable

21. Based on the information given in question 20 determine the appropriate CB rating to be
used. Show your work.

Load current= 6000/(230x0.85)= 30.69A

Breaker size chosen as next higher size of calculated load current= 32A

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22. A 70C thermoplastic (PVC) non-armoured cable with 2.5 sq.mm conductors supplies a load
of 20A at 230V a.c single phase. over a distance of 22 meters. The voltage drop in the
cable will be?

Appendix A7 (a)
Vd= Circuit load current x length x Voltage drop/m/1000

=20x22x18/1000= 7.92 V

23. Identify the following circuits as either (Ring or Radial Circuits).

Ans.Radial Ring

Appendix A14

24. Radial circuits are typical for what type of appliances? Support your answer with the
relevant Clause from the Regulations.

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Clause 7.6.2 Radial Circuits should be provided to large Appliances, particularly those
in continuous or near continuous operation, or those of importance for safety or other
priority functions within a Premises. Examples include main water pumps, air
conditioning units, water heaters, room heating, fire or intruder alarms, cookers and
ovens.

25. Ring circuits are typical for what type of appliances? Support your answer with the relevant
Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.6.3 Ring Circuits should be provided to areas within Premises, which can be
most economically served by several Appliances sharing the same cable feed, arranged
in a loop, from one circuit breaker on the Final Distribution Board. This is particularly
suitable where Appliances are expected to operate at diverse times of the day. Ring
Circuits would typically be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens (except major
Appliances such as cookers), partitioned office areas, etc.

26. The current rating of busways, busducts and busbar risers shall be based on the
______________________ of the relevant part of the Installation being supplied.

Clause 7.7.7 The current rating of busways, bus ducts and busbar risers shall be based
on the Diversified Load of the relevant part of the Electrical Installation being supplied,
with allowance made for future load growth where appropriate. Diversity factors must be
justified and submitted with the design for approval by the Distribution Company

27. The Regulations specify that all Final Distribution Boards must be arranged so as to provide
for at least two zones of Earth Leakage Protection. List three ways to achieve the above.

Clause 7.8.6 All Final Distribution Boards must, be arranged so as to provide for at least
two zones of Earth Leakage Protection (e.g. 100mA and 30mA or 30mA and 30mA) and
to avoid complete disconnection of power to the area being served, in the event of an
earth fault. This may be achieved by either of the following methods:
(a) two or more busbar sections, each protected by a RCD;
[Note: it is recommended that no more than 9 single phase Circuits are protected by an
individual RCD.]
(b) one busbar section, with individual RCBOs fitted on all Final Circuits (the incomer
device may be a time-delayed RCD or an isolator switch where adequate fault
protection is provided by an upstream Protective Device); or

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(c) two or more FDBs installed together to serve an area, each having one busbar
section protected by a RCD of appropriate rating (e.g. one DB with an incomer 100mA
or 30mA RCD for lighting and another DB with incomer 30mA RCD for power Circuits).

28. Final Distribution Boards should be limited to a maximum capacity of _______ ways 3
phase. Sub Distribution Boards should be limited to a maximum capacity of _______ ways
3 phase.

Clause 7.8.8

Note: to meet the above requirement Final Distribution Boards should be limited to a
maximum capacity of 14 ways 3-phase (or 42 ways single phase) and Sub Main
Distribution Boards should be limited to 18 ways 3-phase.]

29. List the requirements for switchboards instruments for DBs rated above 400A. Support your
answer with the relevant Clause from the Regulations.

Clause 7.8.12 Neon indicators, voltmeters and ammeters must be provided for
Distribution Boards rated at 400A and above and, where reasonably practicable, for
other Distribution Boards.

30. What is the effect on the current carrying capacity of a cable if it undergoes a 10 ºC rise in
ambient temperature? Explain your answer.

The current capacity decreases as temperature increases

Appendix A7(g)

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