WEEK 2

3. ELECTRICAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

3.1 CONDUCTORS

 are materials which allow the free flow of electrons through them.
 9 Wires – are single insulated conductors No. 8 AWG (American Wire Gauge or
smaller; for the English System, it is the B & S Gauge or Browne and Sharpe
Gauge. The smallest size of wire permitted is No 14.
 9Cables – are single insulated conductors No. 6 AWG or larger; or they may be
several conductors of any size assembled into a single unit.
 9Bus Bars – large conductors which are not circular in cross section and usually
found only to supply the main switch boards.

CONDUCTOR SIZES – AWG/MCM STANDARD

All conductor sizes from No. 16 to No. 0000 (also designated 4/0) are expressed in AWG.

this designation, the smallest MCM size is 250 MCM or ½” ∅ and the biggest is 500
Beyond AWG No. 4/0, a different designation, MCM (or thousand circular mil) is used. In

MCM. A circular MIL is an artificial area measurement, representing the square of the
cable diameter (diam2) when the diameter is expressed in mils (thousands of an inch).
Thus a solid conductor ½ inch in diameter is 500 mils in diameter, or 250,000 circular
mils in area, (500)2 or 250 MCM; thus; CM/1000 = diam2 = (500)2/1000 = 250,000/1000
= 250 MCM In the metric system, conductor sizes are given simply as the diameter in
millimeters (mm).

CONDUCTOR AMPACITY

Conductor current carrying capacity or ampacity is the maximum operating temperature

that its insulation can stand continuously. Heat is generated as a result of the current
flowing and the conductor resistance. When conductors are placed in an enclosed
conduit, the heat generated is not as easily dissipated as it would be if the conductor
were free in the air. Thus, the current rating of a conductor in free air is much higher
than that for the same were it in a conduit.

TYPES OF CABLES

A. Armored Cable (Type AC) – a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors

enclosed in flexible metal sheath.
B. Metal Clad Cable (Type MC) – a factory assembled cable of one or more
conductors each individually insulated and enclosed in a metallic sheath of
interlocking tape of a smooth or corrugated tube.
 C. Mineral Insulated Cable (Type MI) – a factory assembled conductor/s insulated
with a highly compressed refractory mineral insulation enclosed in a liquid and
gas tight continuous copper sheath.
D. Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type NM or NMC) – also known by the trade
name ROMEX, is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors having
a moisture resistant, flame retardant, and non-metallic material outer sheath.
E. Shielded Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type SNM) – a factory assembly of two
or more insulated conductors in an extruded core of moisture resistant and
flame retardant material covered within an overlapping spiral metal tape.
F. Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable (Type UF) – a moisture resistant
cable used for underground connections including direct burial in the ground as
feeder or branch circuit.
G. Service Entrance Cable (Type SE or USE) – a single or multi-conductor assembly
provided with or without an overall covering primarily used for service wire.
H. Power and Control Tray Cable (Type TC) – a factory assembled two or more
insulated conductors with or without associated bare or covered grounding
under a metallic sheath and is used for installation in cable trays, raceways, or
where supported by wire.
I. Flat Cable Assemblies (Type FC) – an assembly of parallel conductors formed
integrally with an insulating material web designed specially for field installation
in square structural channels.
J. Flat Conductor Cable (Type FCC) – consists of three or more flat copper
conductors placed edge to edge separated and enclosed within a insulating
assembly. This type of cable is used for appliance or individual branch circuits
installed inside floor surfaces.
K. Medium Voltage Cable (MV) – a single or multi-conductor solid dielectric
insulated cable rated at 2,000 to 35,000 volts. Trade name is Medium Voltage
Solid Dielectric.

3.2 INSULATORS

 INSULATORS are materials which prevent the flow of electrons through them.

3.3 CONDUITS

 CONDUITS are circular raceways used to enclose wires and cables and are of metal or
plastic (PVC).
 To protect the enclosed conductors from mechanical injury and chemical damage.
 To protect people from shock hazards by providing a grounded enclosure.
 To provide a system ground path.
 To protect the surroundings against fire hazard as a result of overheating or short circuiting
of the enclosed conductors.
 To support the conductors.

TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS

  Heavy-wall steel conduits called “Rigid Steel Conduits” or RSC with an
 approximate thickness of 0.117 mm.
 “Intermediate Metal Conduit” or IMC with thickness of 0.071 mm.
 Thin-wall steel conduits named “Electric Metal Tubing” or EMT.
 RSCs and IMCs use the same fitting, called condulets, and are threaded alike at the joints.
EMTs are not threaded but use set screw and pressure fitting and are not recommended for
embedding in concrete nor permitted in hazardous areas. IMCs yield a larger inside
diameter (ID) for easier wire pulling and is lighter than the RSC.
 Standard length of steel conduits is 3 M or 10 ft.

3.4 RACEWAYS

Are channels or wiring accessories so designed for holding wires, cables and bus bars that are
either made of metal, plastic, or any insulating medium.

3.5 OUTLETS and RECEPTACLES

 An outlet is a point in the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization
equipment. It refers only to the box. A receptacle is the wiring device in which the utilization
equipment (appliance) cord is plugged into.

•Convenience Outlet or Attachment Cap - the complete set-up which establishes connection
between the conductor of the flexible cord and the conductors connected permanently to the
receptacle.

•Lighting Outlet – is an outlet intended for direct connection to a lamp holder, lighting fixture, or
pendant cord terminating in a lamp holder.

•Receptacle Outlet – is an outlet where one or more receptacles are installed

3.6 SWITCHES

Are devices for making, breaking, or changing conditions in an electrical circuit under the conditions of
load which they are rated.

TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING TO VOLTAGE

Switches are rated as 250V, 600V,or 5KV as required.

9 TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING

TO INTENSITY OF USE

1. Normal Duty (ND) – intended for

normal use in light and power circuits

as in general-purpose switches.

2. Heavy Duty (HD) – intended for

frequent interrupting.

3. Light Duty (LD) –intended to connect

the loads occasionally, such as service

switches.

TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING

TO TYPE OF SERVICE

1. Service Switch – intended to

disconnect all the electric service in

the building except emergency

equipment. This may comprise one to

six properly rated switches that are

assembled into a switchboard.

2. Power Switches –

a) General –purpose switches – are

intended for use in general

distribution and branch circuits.

b) Disconnecting or isolating switches –

are intended for disconnecting or

isolating circuits; used for circuits

rated at more than 600 volts.

a) General–purpose switches – are

single-pole or double-pole switches

for the general purpose use of

connecting or cutting-off circuits for

the control of lamps or other loads

from a single point.

b) Three-way switches – are used

where it is desired to control lamps

from two different points, as in a

stairwell.

c) Four-way switches – are used in

conjunction with two 3-wire switches

where it is desired to control lamps

from three or more desired points.

3. Wiring Switches – include all the

relatively small switches that are

employed in interior wiring

installations for the control of

branch circuits, individual lamps or

appliances.

d) Electrolier or multi-circuit switches –

are used for the control of lights in

multi-lamp fixtures so that one

lamp or set of lamps may be turned

on alone or in combination with

other lamps.

e) Momentary contact switches – are

used where it is desired to connect

or cut-off a circuit for only a short

duration. The switch is provided

with a spring so that it will return to

its original position as soon as the

handle or button is released.

f) Dimmer switches – a rheostat[1] or

similar device for regulating the

intensity of an electric light without

appreciably affecting spatial

distribution. Also called a dimmer.

Wiring switches may either be the

flush type, surface type or the

pendant type.

9 TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO

OPERATION MECHANISM

Wiring switches may also be classified

according to the operating mechanism

as:

1. Rotary switch

2. Push-button switch

3. Toggle or tumbler switch

9 TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO

NUMBER OF POLES AND THROWS

1. Poles – that part of the switch which is

used for making or breaking of a

connection and which is electrically

insulated from other contact making or

breaking parts.

2. Throws - a single throw switch is one

which will make a closed circuit only

when the switch is thrown in one

position. A double throw switch will

make a closed circuit when thrown in

either of two positions.

SPECIAL SWITCHES

1. Time Controlled Switches – This

device comprises a precision low

speed miniature drive motor (timer)

to which some type of electric

contact-making device is connected.

2. Remote Control (RC) Switches – A

contactor

5. Float Switch – a switch controlled by

a conductor floating in a liquid.

6. Mercury Switch – an especially quiet

switch that opens and closes an electric

circuit by shifting a sealed glass tube of

mercury so as to uncover or cover the

contacts.

7. Key Switch – a switch operated only

by inserting a key or a card. Also called

a card switch.

8. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) –

This device, an essential part of an

emergency or standby service, is

basically a double throw switch,

generally 3-pole, so arranged that on

failure of normal power, emergency

service is automatically supplied.

[1], or more specifically, arelay[2], that latches after being

operated wireless from a distance.

3.Air Switch – a switch in which the

interruption of a circuit occurs in air.

4. Knife Switch – a form of air switch in

which a hinged copper blade

is placed between two

contact clips.

.7 WALL PLATES OR FACEPLATES -

These are coverings for switches and wall

outlets usually made of metal or of

phenollic compound (Bakelite).

3.8 OVER-CURRENT CIRCUIT

PROTECTIVE DEVICES – are devices

whose sole purpose is to protect

insulation, wiring, switches and other

apparatus from overheating or burning,

due to overloads, to faults or to short

circuits, by automatically cutting off the

circuit.

9FUSE – is a device consisting of an

alloy link of wire with a low melting

temperature which is inserted in the

circuit, in such a way, that all current

which passes through the circuit, must

also pass through this metal.

9CIRCUIT BREAKERS– is an over-

current protective device designed to

function as a switch, or it can be

manually tripped and thus act as a

circuit switch. It breaks a circuit with an

automatic tripping device without injury

to itself.

9GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT

INTERRUPTERS (GFCI or GFI) – is

an over current protective device that

will provide ground fault protection as

well as function as an ordinary circuit

breaker.

9PANELBOARDS – popularly known as

“panel” or “electrical panel”, it is simply

the box wherein the protective devises are

housed from which the circuits and bus

bars terminate.

9SWITCHBOARDS – are free standing

assemblies of switches, fuses, and/or

circuit breakers whose function normally

is to provide switching and feeder

protection to a number of circuits

connected to a main source.

9UNIT SUBSTATIONS – (Transfer Load

Centers) an assembly of primary switch-

fuse-breaker, step-down transformer,

meters, controls, bus bars and secondary

switchboard. It is used to supply power

from a primary voltage line to any large

facility.

4. WIRING SYSTEMS

4.1 WIRING METHODS

9KNOB AND TUBE WIRING – an

obsolete wiring system consisting of

single insulated conductors secured to

and supported on porcelain knobs and

tubes. When wires run through walls,

they are inserted into a nonmetallic fire-

resistant tubing called a loom.

9RIGID METAL CONDUIT WIRING –

is the best and most expensive among

the usual type of wiring. Its advantages

are:

1. it is fireproof;

2. moisture proof;

3. it is mechanically strong so that nails

cannot be driven through it and it is not

readily deformed by blows;

4. it resists the normal action of cement

when embedded in concrete or masonry.

9FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT

WIRING – Its installation is much

easier and quicker than that of rigid

metal conduits. Unlike the rigid conduits

which come in short lengths of 10 ft. (3

M), flexible metal conduit wiring comes

in length of 25 ft – 250 ft (8 M – 83 M)

depending on the size of the conduit.

9ARMORED CABLE WIRING (BX

WIRING) – consists of rubber or

thermoplastic covered wire protected

from injury to a certain extent from

dampness by one or two layers of flexible

steel armor.

9SURFACE METAL RACEWAY

WIRING – the wires are supported on a

thin sheet steel casing. The raceway is

installed exposed, being mounted on the

walls or ceiling. Metal raceways must be

continuous from outlet to outlet or

junction box, designed especially for use

with metal raceways.

9FLAT CABLE ASSEMBLIES – a field

installed rigidly mounted square

structural channel (1 – 5/8” standard)

designed to carry 2 to 4 conductors (No.

10 AWG) and will act as light duty

(branch circuit) plug-in busways.

9LIGHTING TRACK – a factory-

assembled channel with conductors for

one to four circuits permanently

installed in the track that will act as

light duty (branch circuit) plug-in

busways.

9CABLE TRAY / OPEN RACEWAY

– is a continuous open support for

approved cables. When used as a

general wiring system, the cables

must be self-protected, jacketed

types, type TC.

9 FLOOR RACEWAYS – The NEC

recognizes three types of floor

raceways:

1. Underfloor Ducts (UF) installed beneath

or flush with the floor. These underfloor

ducts usually requires a triple duct

system for power, telephone and

signal cabling.

2. Cellular Metal Floor Raceway – Found

usually in office landscaping, it is an

integrated structural/electrical system

in a cellular metal floor.

3. Precast Cellular Concrete – made of

concrete cells fed from header ducts,

which are normally installed in concrete

fill above the hollow core structural slab

or fed from the ceiling void below. The

cells can be used for air distribution and

for piping.

9CEILING RACEWAY SYSTEMS –

under-the-ceiling raceways composed of

header ducts and distribution ducts

separate for power and telephone cabling.

They permit very rapid changes in layouts

at low cost and are therefore particularly

desirable in stores where frequent display

transformations necessitate corresponding

electrical facility adjustments.

9PRE-WIRED CEILING DISTRIBUTION

SYSTEMS – are ceiling raceways that are

pre-wired in the factory and plugged in

where required.
1.What does Division 26 of the MasterFormat focus on? Electrical

2.Which specification writing style organizes information by systems or assemblies? UniFormat

3.What is the focus of a descriptive specification? - Detailed material descriptions without brand names

4.What is the first step in the CSI 3-part specification format? - Outline administrative and procedural
requirements.

5.In what phase is UniFormat most commonly used? Preliminary design development.

6.What does the MasterFormat’s Division 07 focus on? Thermal and Moisture Protection

7.What year marked the first major expansion of the MasterFormat? 1978

8.Which specification would most likely include eco-friendly materials? Sustainability Application

9.What is the primary purpose of construction specifications? To define materials, standards, and
workmanship

10.Which of the following is NOT an application of specification writing? Estimating project profitability

11.What are the three parts of the CSI MasterFormat structure? General, Products, Execution
12.What is an example of a performance specification? HVAC must maintain 22°C with 50% relative
humidity

13.How many divisions did the MasterFormat expand to in 2004? 50

14.What aspect of construction does MasterFormat Division 21 address? Fire Suppression

15. What is an example of a reference standard specification? All steel must comply with ASTM A36

16.What level in the MasterFormat hierarchy is "05 10 00 Structural Metal Framing"? Section

17.Which type of specification leaves little room for interpretation? Prescriptive Specification

18.What is a key advantage of using MasterFormat in bid management? Enables standard comparison of
contractor bids

19.Which division includes "Waterway and Marine Construction"? 35

20.When was the CSI Master Format first created? 1963