Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Domestic wiring
▪ A network of wires drawn connecting the meter board to the various energy consuming loads
(Lamps, fans, motors etc) through control and protective devices for efficient distribution of power
is known as electrical wiring.
▪ Electrical wiring done in residential and commercial buildings to provide power for lights, fans,
pumps and other domestic appliances is known as domestic wiring.

1 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF WIRING SYSTEM:

▪ Durability: Standard specifications, affected by the weather conditions, fumes etc.
▪ Safety: Against leakage, shock and fire hazards.
▪ Appearance: Should provide an aesthetic appeal to the interiors.
▪ Cost: It should not be expensive.
▪ Accessibility: The switches and plug points provided should be easily accessible. There must be
provision for further extension of the wiring system, if necessary.
▪ Maintenance Cost: The maintenance cost should be minimum .
▪ Mechanical safety: The wiring must be protected against any mechanical damage .

▪ Types of wiring
▪ Depending upon the above factors various types of wiring used in practice are:
1. Cleat wiring :insulated conductors (usually VIR, Vulcanized Indian Rubber) are supported on
porcelain or wooden cleats. The cleats have two halves one base and the other cap. The cables are
placed in the grooves provided in the base and then the cap is placed. Both are fixed securely on the
walls by 40mm long screws. The cleats are easy to erect and are fixed 4.5 – 15 cms apart. This
wiring is suitable for temporary installations where cost is the main criteria but not the appearance.
Advantages:
1. Easy installation
2. Materials can be retrieved for reuse
3. Flexibility provided for inspection, modifications and expansion.
4. Relatively economical
5. Skilled manpower not required.

2 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Disadvantages:
1. Appearance is not good
2. Open system of wiring requiring regular cleaning.
3. Higher risk of mechanical injury.

2. Casing wiring: It consists of insulated conductors (either VIR or PVC cables) laid inside rectangular
wooden casing of seasoned teakwood having grooves inside it.
A rectangular strip of wood called capping having same width as that of casing is fixed over it. Both the
casing and the capping are screwed together at every 15 cms.
Casing is attached to the wall by means of wooden blocks or porcelain discs to safeguard from dampness.
Two or more wires of same polarity are drawn through different grooves. The system is suitable for indoor
and domestic installations.
Advantages:
1. One of the cheapest types of wiring.
2. Provides good isolation as the conductors are placed apart reducing the risk of short circuit.
3. Easily accessible for inspection and repairs.
4. Easy to install.
Disadvantages:
1. High risk of fire hazard
2. Does not give a good appearance
3. Suitable only for voltages upto 250 V
4. Cannot be used in damp places

3. Conduit wiring: - In this system PVC or VIR insulated cables are run through mild steel pipes called
conduits providing good protection against mechanical injury and fire due to short circuit. They are either
embedded inside the walls or supported over the walls, and are known as concealed wiring or surface
conduit wiring (open conduit) respectively. The conduits are buried inside the walls on wooden gutties and
the wires are drawn through them with fish (steel) wires. The system is best suited for domestic and
commercial installations
Advantages:
1. No risk of fire and good protection against mechanical injury.
2. The lead and return wires can be carried in the same tube.
3. Earthing and continuity is assured.
4. Waterproof and trouble shooting is easy.

3 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

5. Shock- proof with proper earthing and bonding

6. Durable and maintenance free
7. Aesthetic in appearance
Disadvantages:
1. Costliest system of wiring.
2. Requires good skilled workmanship.
3. Erection is quiet complicated and is time consuming.
4. Risk of short circuit under wet conditions (due to condensation of water in tubes).

Two- way Control of Lamp

▪ The lamp can be controlled from two different points: one at the top and the other at the bottom -
using two- way switches with strap wires interconnect.
▪ Two-way control is usually used for staircase lighting.
▪ They are also used in bedrooms, big halls and large corridors. The circuit is as shown in the
following figure.
S1 S2 Status of Light

1 3 On

1 4 Off

2 3 On

2 4 Off

4 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Three- way Control of lamp:

▪ In case of very long corridors it may be necessary to control the lamp from 3 different points.
▪ In such cases, the circuit connection requires two;
➢ Two-way switches S1and S2
➢ an intermediate switch S3.
▪ An intermediate switch is a combination of two, two way switches coupled together. It has 4
terminals ABCD. It can be connected in two ways
a) Straight connection (b) Cross connection
Straight connection

S1 S3 S2 Status of
Lamp

1 A-B & C-D 3 On

1 A-B & C-D 4 Off

2 A-B & C-D 3 Off

2 A-B & C-D 4 On

cross connection

S1 S3 S2 Status of Lamp

1 A-D & B-C 3 Off

1 A-B & C-D 4 On

2 A-B & C-D 3 On

2 A-B & C-D 4 Off

Electricity Bill

5 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Appliances Wattage (range)

Clock Radio 10

Coffee Maker 900 - 1200

Clothes Washer 350 - 500

Clothes Dryer 1800-5000

Dishwasher 1200-2400

Hair Dryer 1200-1875

Microwave Oven 750-1100

Laptop 50

Refrigerator 725

36" Television 133

Toaster 800-1400

Water Heater 4500-5500

6 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Two Part Tariff

• The rate at which electrical energy is supplied to a consumer is known as tariff. Although tariff
should include the total cost of producing and supplying electrical energy plus the profit , yet it
cannot be the same for all types of consumer.
• When the rate of electrical energy is charged on the basis of maximum demand of the consumer and
the units consumed, it is called a two-part tariff.

Advantages of two part Tariff:

▪ It is easily understood by the consumers.
▪ It recovers the fixed charges which depend upon the maximum demand of the consumer.
▪ It is independent of the units consumed.
Disadvantages two part Tariff:
▪ The consumer has to pay the fixed charges irrespective of energy consumed
There is always error in assessing the maximum demand of the consumer.

7 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

8 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Equipment Safety Measures

Working principle of Fuse and MCB
Electric circuits are vulnerable to various kinds of faults and short circuits are the highly harmful ones.
This is where MCBs and fuses do their job. Both do the same thing: interrupt the current flow to the circuit
or equipment and safeguard the circuit from electrical hazards. But their principle of operation and
capabilities are different.
Fuse: Fuse is an electrical device that self-destructs and stops the current flow in a circuit whenever the
current exceeds the predefined value.
A fuse works based on the thermal property of materials conducting electric current. It
consists of a metal wire or conductor material which can conduct a predefined amount of current through
it. Whenever excessive current flows through the fuse, the conducting material inside it melts down and
therefore the current flow through it is interrupted.

9 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

MCB(Miniature Circuit Breaker): MCBs are resettable circuit protection device that, on the occurrence
of faults, stops the current flow in a circuit. They trip during short circuits, overloads and rarely during
ground faults.
It is an electromechanical device that works based on the electromagnetic as well as the thermal properties
of the electric current. An electromagnetic mechanism present inside the MCB helps it to instantaneously
interrupt the current flow during short circuits and the bimetallic strip present in it helps it to interrupt the
current flow during overloads.

Working Principle of MCB:

• The typical working real-time MCB is as shown in the Figure.
• When the excessive current flows take place through MCB due to abnormal conditions, the
bimetallic strip gets heated and it deflects by bending.
• The deflection of the bi-metallic strip releases a latch. The latch causes the MCB to turn off by
stopping the flow of the current in the circuit. This process helps to safeguard the appliances or
devices from the hazards happening due to overload or overcurrent. To restore the power continuity
in the circuit MCB must be turned ON manually.
• In the case of short circuit conditions, the current rises suddenly in an unpredictable way, leading to
the electromechanical displacement of the plunger associated with a solenoid. The plunger hits the
trip lever, it causes the automatic release of the latch mechanism by opening the circuit breaker
contacts.
• The trip unit is the key part of the MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker on which the unit operates

10 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Comparison of fuse and MCB

Electric fuse Miniature circuit breaker – MCB

Whenever excessive current flows through the An electromagnetic mechanism present inside
fuse, the conducting material inside it melts the MCB helps it to instantaneously interrupt
down thereby interrupting the current flow. the current flow during faults.
Fuses other than rewireable fuses cannot be Miniature circuit breakers can be reused after
reused. the clearance of faults.
Fuses acts faster than MCB. Typical tripping
Tripping time for MCB is 20ms.
time 2ms.

Can protect against short circuit and overloads. Can protect against short circuit and overloads.

Cheaper than MCB. MCB costlier than fuses.

FUSE:
Advantages:
▪ Fuse is cheapest type of protection in an electric circuit. Fuse needs zero maintenance
▪ Operation of fuse is simple and no complexity is involved.
▪ Fuse has the ability to interrupt enormous short circuit current without producing noise, flame, gas
or smoke. Fuse inverse time current characteristic has the ability to use for over-load protection.
Disadvantage:
• During short circuit or overload once fuse blows off replacing of fuse takes time. During this period
the circuit lost power.
▪ When fuses are connected in series it is difficult to discriminate the fuse unless the fuse has
significant size difference.

MCB’S
Advantages:
▪ MCBs have more sensitive to current then fuse. It has quick work against short circuits.
▪ It works quickly on overloading and under voltage.
▪ It is reusable hence less maintenance cost and less replacement cost. It is very simple to resume the
supply.
▪ It can be easily used circuit control switch when needed.
Disadvantages:
▪ The cost of the MCB is greater than the fuse.
▪ The cost of the MCB distribution board is greater than the rewireable fuse board.
▪ The risk of overloading of the circuit due to unqualified of the person operating than completing
removed

11 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

Personal Safety Measures

Electric Shock
▪ A sudden agitation of the nervous system of a body, due to the passage of an electric current is
called as electric shock.
▪ Factors affecting the severity of shock:
▪ Magnitude of current through the body

▪ Path of current through the body

▪ Time for which the current passed through the body

▪ Frequency of the current

▪ Physical and psychological condition of the person.

Effects of Electrical Shock

• loss of consciousness
• Muscle spasms, numbness or tingling
• Breathing problems, irregular heartbeat.
Elementary first Aid against Shock
The first aid can save the life and reduce severity of the accidents. The first aid against an electric shock
involves following steps,
1. Do not panic.
2. Carry the affected person and lay him in a comfortable position and call the doctor immediately.
3. Look for stoppage of breathing.
4. Start giving him artificial respiration if breathing is stopped.
5. Never give anything to the person to drink when the person is unconscious.
6. The artificial respiration should be continued for longer time.
7. The burns caused due to electric flashes should be covered with sterile dressing and then bandaged.
8. Do not make crowd round and let patient get the fresh air.
Electrical Safety Rules
Following are few of the safety rules must be observed while dealing with electricity.
• All the electrical supply lines shall be sufficient in power and size and of sufficient mechanical strength
for the work.
• All electric supply lines, wires, fittings and apparatus at a consumer's premises should be in a safe
condition and in all respects fit for supplying energy.
• The underground cable must be properly insulated and protected under all the ordinary operating
conditions.
• A suitable earthed terminal should be provided by supplier on the consumer's premises.

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Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

• The bare conductors, if any are ensured that they are inaccessible.
• Proper precaution is taken about earthing of electrical equipment before handled by the person.
▪ No person shall work on any live electric supply line or apparatus and no person shall assist such
person.
• Flexible cables shall not be used for portable or transportable motors, generators, transformers, rectifiers,
electric drills, welding sets etc. unless they are heavily insulated and adequately protected from mechanical
injury.
• When a.c. and d.c. circuits are installed on the same supports they shall be so arranged and protected that
they shall not come into contact with each other when live.
• First aid boxes must be provided and maintained at generating stations and substations.
• Fire buckets filled with clean dry sand and ready for immediate use for extinguishing fires.
• Instructions in English, Hindi and any local languages for the restoration of person suffering from electric
shock must be affixed in generating station and substation at a suitable place.
• Each installation is periodically inspected and tested.
• The neutral conductor of a three phase four wire system shall be earthed by not less than two separate and
distinct connections with the earth both at generating station and at substation.
▪ Earthing : The connection of electrical machinery to the general mass of earth, with a conducting
material of very low resistance is called earthing or grounding. The earthing of electrical equipment
bring the equipment to zero potential and avoid the shock to the operator, under any fault
conditions.
▪ NOTE: In modern three phase four wire supply system uses grounded neutral.
▪ Grounded neutral supply system has following advantages
1. It is very easy for earth fault protection
2. Spikes of over voltages are easily dissipated to earth. Such spikes include the lightening and
switching over voltages.
3. Less stress on insulation

13 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

▪ Uses of Earthing

Methods of Earthing
Earthing is achieved by connecting the electrical appliances or components to earth by employing a good
conductor called ‘Earth Electrode’. This ensures very low resistance path from appliance to the earth. The
various methods of earthing are
i) Plate earthing
ii) Pipe earthing
iii) Earthing through water main
iv) Horizontal strip earthing
v) Rod earthing

14 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

▪ Plate Earthing:

The size or dimension of the plate used in plate earthing is 60cm(H) x 60cm(W) x 3.18mm(D) for copper
plate and 60cm(H) x 60cm(W) x 6.3mm(D) for the galvanized iron plate.
• Place the earthing plate vertically at a depth of below 3 meter from the ground level.
• Use a 12.7 mm diameter pipe to lay the earthing conductors through it.
• Use a 190mm diameter pipe to connect the funnel and earthing plate.
• Fill the coal, sand, and salt around the earthing plate in alternate layers in the earth pit. After that fill the
earth pit with black soil.
• Salt soaks the alkali of the ground and the Coal makes the soil to hold the moisture. So, using these Salt
and Coal helps to increase the overall conductivity and efficiency of the earthing system.
• Funnel arrangement is provided to pour the water periodically to the earthing to increase the conductivity.

15 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB

Module 5 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (BESCK104B)

▪ Pipe Earthing:

1) In this method of earthing a G.I. pipe of 38 mm diameter and 2 meter (7 feet) length is embedded
vertically into the ground. This pipe acts as an earth electrode.
2) The depth depends on the condition of the soil. The earth wires are fastened to the top section of the pipe
above the ground level with nut and bolts.
3) The pit area around the pipe is filled with salt and coal mixture for improving the condition of the soil
and earthing efficiency. The schematic arrangement of pipe earthing system is shown in the Fig. 6.3.2.
4) The contact surface of G.I. pipe with the soil is more as compared to the plate due to its circular section
and hence can handle heavier leakage current for the same electrode size.
5) According to Indian standard, the pipe should be placed at a depth of 4.75 m. The coke with salt
decreases the earth resistance.
6) Generally alternate layers of salt and coke are used for best results. In summer season, soil becomes dry,
in such case salt water is poured through the funnel connected to the main G.I. pipe through 19 mm
diameter pipe. This keeps the soil wet.

16 Anu H, Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, JSSATEB