What is Electrical Wiring?

Electrical Wiring is a process of connecting cables and wires to the related devices
such as fuse, switches, sockets, lights, fans etc to the main distribution board is a
specific structure to the utility pole for continues power supply.

Wiring accessories

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Methods of Electrical Wiring Systems w.r.t Taking Connection

Wiring (a process of connecting various accessories for distribution of electrical

energy from supplier’s meter board to home appliances such as lamps, fans and
other domestic appliances is known as Electrical Wiring) can be done using two
methods which are

Joint box system or Tee system

Loop – in system

They are discussed as follows:

Joint Box or Tee or Jointing System

In this method of wiring, connections to appliances are made through joints.

These joints are made in joint boxes by means of suitable connectors or joints
cutouts. This method of wiring doesn’t consume too much cables size.

You might think because this method of wiring doesn’t require too much cable it is
therefore cheaper. It is of course but the money you saved from buying cables will
be used in buying joint boxes, thus equation is balanced. This method is suitable
for temporary installations and it is cheap.

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Loop-in or Looping System

This method of wiring is universally used in wiring. Lamps and other appliances
are connected in parallel so that each of the appliances can be controlled
individually. When a connection is required at a light or switch, the feed conductor
is looped in by bringing it directly to the terminal and then carrying it forward
again to the next point to be fed.

The switch and light feeds are carried round the circuit in a series of loops from
one point to another until the last on the circuit is reached. The phase or line
conductors are looped either in switchboard or box and neutrals are looped either
in switchboard or from light or fan. Line or phase should never be looped from
light or fan.

Advantages of Loop-In Method of Wiring

 It doesn’t require joint boxes and so money is saved

 In loop – in systems, no joint is concealed beneath floors or in roof spaces.
 Fault location is made easy as the points are made only at outlets so that
they are accessible.

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Disadvantages of Loop-In Method of Wiring

 Length of wire or cables required is more and voltage drop and copper
losses are therefore more
 Looping – in switches and lamp holders is usually difficult.

TYPES OF WIRING SYSTEM

 surface wiring system

 conduit wiring system
 trunk wiring system
 ducting wiring system

Conduit Wiring

There are two types of conduit wiring according to pipe installation:

Surface Conduit Wiring When GI or PVC conduits are installed on walls or roof, it is
known as surface conduit wiring. The conduits are attached to the walls with a
2hole strap and base clip at regular distances. Electrical wires are laid inside the
conduits.

Concealed Conduit Wiring When the conduits are hidden inside the wall slots or
chiseled brick wall, it is called concealed conduit wiring. Electrical wires are laid
inside the conduits. This is popular since it is stronger and more aesthetically
appealing.

Here are some Advantages and Disadvantages of Concealed Conduit Wiring

System

Advantages

 It is a safe wiring system

 Safe from chemical effects, humidity and other external factors
 No risk of shock
 It is aesthetically appealing
 No risk of wear and tear, fire or damaged cable insulation
 Quite reliable
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  Renovations can be easily performed as you can replace old wires easily
Disadvantages

 Expensive as compared to surface conduit wiring

 Changing the location of switches or appliances is difficult
 Installation is complex
 Hard to find defects in the wiring
 Adding additional conduit in future is a tedious task

Surface wiring is a system of wires that simply run across the surface of a wall or
ceiling but are concealed and protected by a decorative cover or channel. You can
install surface wiring with little or no disruption to existing finishes. This can be a
real plus especially when wallpaper or paneling is involved.

Surface wiring systems consist of metal or heavy plastic components and can be
purchased at most home centers. They come with an assortment of fittings to
make installation as simple as possible. You can cut the material with a hacksaw,
therefore eliminating the need for any power tools. However, a cordless
driver/drill can make the job a lot easier. The only other tool required is a
combination wire cutter/stripper.

Different Types of Surface wiring

 Cleat wiring
 Wooden casing and capping wiring
 CTS or TRS or PVC sheath wiring
 Lead sheathed or metal sheathed wiring
 Conduit wiring

Cleat Wiring

This system of wiring comprise of ordinary VIR or PVC insulated wires

(occasionally, sheathed and weather proof cable) braided and compounded held
on walls or ceilings by means of porcelain cleats, Plastic or wood.

Cleat wiring system is a temporary wiring system therefore it is not suitable for
domestic premises. The use of cleat wiring system is over nowadays.

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Advantages of Cleat Wiring:

 It is simple and cheap wiring system

 Most suitable for temporary use i.e. under construction building or army
camping
 As the cables and wires of cleat wiring system is in open air, Therefore fault
in cables can be seen and repair easily.
 Cleat wiring system installation is easy and simple.
 Customization can be easily done in this wiring system e.g. alteration and
addition.
 Inspection is easy and simple.

Disadvantages of Cleat Wiring:

 Appearance is not so good.

 Cleat wiring can’t be used for permanent use because, Sag may be occur
after sometime of the usage.
 In this wiring system, the cables and wiring is in open air, therefore, oil,
Steam, humidity, smoke, rain, chemical and acidic effect may damage the
cables and wires.
 It is not lasting wire system because of the weather effect, risk of fire and
wear & tear.
 it can be only used on 250/440 Volts on low temperature.
 There is always a risk of fire and electric shock.
 It can’t be used in important and sensitive location and places.
 It is not lasting, reliable and sustainable wiring system.

Casing and capping wiring

Casing and Capping wiring system was famous wiring system in the past but, it is
considered obsolete this days because of Conduit and sheathed wiring system. The
cables used in this kind of wiring were either VIR or PVC or any other approved
insulated cables.

The cables were carried through the wooden casing enclosures. The casing is
made up of a strip of wood with parallel grooves cut length wise so as to
accommodate VIR cables. The grooves were made to separate opposite polarity.

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The capping (also made of wood) used to cover the wires and cables installed and
fitted in the casing.

Advantages of Casing Capping Wiring:

 It is cheap wiring system as compared to sheath and conduit wiring

systems.
 It is strong and long-lasting wiring system.
 Customization can be easily done in this wiring system.
 If Phase and Neutral wire is installed in separate slots, then repairing is
easy.
 Stay for long time in the field due to strong insulation of capping and
casing..
 It stays safe from oil, Steam, smoke and rain.
 No risk of electric shock due to covered wires and cables in casing &
capping.

Disadvantages Casing Capping Wiring:

 There is a high risk of fire in casing & capping wiring system.

 Not suitable in the acidic, alkalies and humidity conditions

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  Costly repairing and need more material.
 Material can’t be found easily in the contemporary
 White ants may damage the casing & capping of wood

Batten Wiring (CTS or TRS)

Single core or double core or three core TRS cables with a circular oval shape
cables are used in this kind of wiring. Mostly, single core cables are preferred. TRS
cables are chemical proof, water proof, steam proof, but are slightly affected by
lubricating oil. The TRS cables are run on well-seasoned and straight teak wood
batten with at least a thickness of 10mm.

The cables are held on the wooden batten by means of tinned brass link clips
(buckle clip) already fixed on the batten with brass pins and spaced at an interval
of 10cm for horizontal runs and 15cm for vertical runs.

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Advantages of Batten Wiring

 Wiring installation is simple and easy

 cheap as compared to other electrical wiring systems
 Paraphrase is good and beautiful
 Repairing is easy
 strong and long-lasting
 Customization can be easily done in this wiring system.
 less chance of leakage current in batten wiring system

Disadvantages of Batten Wiring

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  Can’t be install in the humidity, Chemical effects, open and outdoor areas.
 High risk of firs
 Not safe from external wear & tear and weather effects (because, the wires
are openly visible to heat, dust, steam and smoke.
 Heavy wires can’t be used in batten wiring system.
 Only suitable below then 250V.
 Need more cables and wires.

Lead Sheathed Wiring

The type of wiring employs conductors that are insulated with VIR and covered
with an outer sheath of lead aluminum alloy containing about 95% of lead. The
metal sheath given protection to cables from mechanical damage, moisture
and atmospheric corrosion.

The whole lead covering is made electrically continuous and is connected to

earth at the point of entry to protect against electrolytic action due to leaking
current and to provide safety in case the sheath becomes alive. The cables are
run on wooden batten and fixed by means of link clips just as in TRS wiring.

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