BUILDING

ELECTRICAL
M AT E R I A L S A N D
EQUIPMENT
 POWER GENERATION AND
TRANSMISSION
In the U.S. and Canada, electricity is primarily generated, transmitted, and
distributed by large utility companies. Consumers obtain electricity directly from
these utilities or through cooperatives. Some manufacturers generate their own
power, and a few homeowners with solar panels or wind generators sell excess
energy back to the grid.
Electricity is mainly produced at utility-owned power stations, where generators
convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This process involves rotating an
armature within a magnetic field. Turbines, often powered by steam from heated
water or falling water in hydroelectric plants, drive the generators to produce
electricity. Steam can be generated by burning fossil fuels or through nuclear
reactions.
 BUILDING ELECTRICAL SERVICE
EQUIPMENT
Service Entrance Conductors
Service entrance conductors transport power from transformers to a building's service disconnects,
either through overhead wires (known as service drops) or underground (called service laterals).
Overhead conductors must be insulated, except for the bare neutral in some cases. Single-phase
service drops consist of 2 or 3 wires, while three-phase drops have 3 or 4 wires. Utilities typically supply
these conductors, adhering to specific standards regarding wire size and clearance requirements.
 Service
Entrance

The service entrance is a crucial part of an

electrical system that connects utility power
to a building's electrical system. It includes
several key components:

1.Metering Equipment (electric Meter)

2. Main Disconnect or Switch Gear
3.Circuit Breakers or Fuses.

Together, these components ensure that the

electrical system operates safely and efficiently,
protecting both the building and its occupants
from electrical hazards.
Switchboard

A switchboard is a large metal cabinet or assembly that houses disconnecting switches, overcurrent
protection devices (fuses or circuit breakers), and other protective instruments. It divides large
electrical currents into smaller amounts for use by equipment and can disconnect circuits both
manually and automatically. Switchboards are floor-mounted, with capacities ranging from 1200 to
6000 amperes and voltages below 600 volts, and provide access from the front and rear.

Panelboard

A panelboard is a metal cabinet that includes buses and automatic overcurrent protection devices
(fuses or circuit breakers) and may have switches for controlling light, heat, and power circuits. It is
installed against a wall for front accessibility and can be called a power panel, load center,
distribution center, or main power panel. A load center specifically refers to a panelboard with a
preassembled disconnect and circuit breakers, commonly used in residential settings.
 Building Transformers
Transformers play a crucial role in transmitting and distributing power from power plants to
substations, enabling effective power distribution within commercial buildings. They adjust
voltage, current, and phase, ensuring efficient operation. Transformers are rated in kVA, with
common sizes ranging from 3, 6, 9, 15, 25, 30, 37.5, 45, 50, 75, 112.5, 150, 225, 300, 500,
750, 1000, 1500 kVA. Each transformer features a nameplate indicating key information:

• Rated kVA
• Primary and secondary voltage
• Impedance (if 25 kVA or larger)
• Required clearances (if it has ventilating openings)
 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION:
FUSES
AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Overcurrent protection (OCP) devices are essential for safeguarding building services or
individual circuits from excessive current flows, preventing severe overheating in circuit
components. Fuses and circuit breakers act as automatic OCP devices, designed to
disconnect the circuit when current exceeds their rated capacity. These devices respond to
overload conditions as well as short-circuit and ground-fault currents. Various types of
overcurrent protection devices are detailed in subsequent sections.

Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is an overcurrent protection device that serves two purposes: It acts as a
switch that can be opened and closed manually, and most importantly, it automatically “trips
off,” which opens the circuit when current flowing through it exceeds the circuit rating. This
action instantaneously interrupts current flow. Once it trips, it can be reset (closed like a switch)
and will continue to allow electricity flow as long as the current flowing through it does not
exceed the circuit rating.
Circuit
Breakers
 Fuses
A fuse is an overcurrent protection device made of a metal strip with a low melting
point. During normal operation, electricity flows through it, but when the current
exceeds its rating, the strip melts, interrupting the circuit. This is referred to as the fuse
"blown." A blown fuse must be replaced with a new one of the same rating, which is
then discarded. Fuses are commonly rated for 250 V or 600 V, with options also
available for 125 V and 300 V.
 OCP Device Ratings
OPDs have two current ratings: overcurrent and amperes interrupting current.

Overcurrent
The overcurrent rating of an OCP device indicates the maximum amperage it can continuously
carry without overheating. If the current exceeds this rating for an extended period, the device will
trip and open the circuit. Overcurrent ratings are specified in amperes, such as 15 A, 20 A, or 30
A. It's crucial that the amperage in the protected circuit does not exceed the maximum rating of
the circuit breaker.

Interrupting Current
OCP devices must have an interrupting rating that meets or exceeds the maximum possible
fault current to prevent catastrophic failures. If inadequately rated, they can explode, risking
damage and hazards. Circuit breakers typically have an AIC rating of 5000 A, while fuses are
rated at 10,000 A, with both often rated for 10,000 A.
 UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT AND
DEVICES
• Utilization equipment encompasses a wide range of electrical or electronic devices
designed to perform specific functions using electrical energy. This includes electric
motors, air conditioning and heating units, refrigeration systems, signs, industrial
machinery, cranes, hoists, elevators, and escalators.

• An appliance is a type of utilization equipment designed for specific tasks like cooking,
cleaning, cooling, or heating, including electric ranges, refrigerators, and hair dryers.
They can be categorized as fixed (permanently installed), stationary (moveable but
used in one location), or portable (easily carried).

• In contrast, an electrical device is a component that carries electricity without using it,
such as switches, receptacles, and relays.
 Switches

A simple switch is a device that opens or closes an electrical circuit or redirects

current flow. It operates by opening (turning off) or closing (turning on) contacts
between conductors. Switches are rated by their purpose, voltage, and amperage,
and are classified for either AC or DC. Safety switches are specifically designed to
minimize the risk of contact with live conductors and have the capability to interrupt
current, enhancing safety in electrical systems.
 Conductor
s
Wire
An electrical conductor is any material that allows the flow of electrical current, with wire
being a common example. In building applications, conductors are typically classified by
wire gauge standards and measured in circular mils, which quantify the cross-sectional
area. One mil is 1/1000 of an inch, meaning one circular mil (cmil) corresponds to the
area of a circle with a 0.001-inch diameter.

Buse
s bus, or bus bar, is an electrical conductor, often made of copper or aluminum, that
A
connects multiple electrical circuits. Typically found in panelboards and switchboards,
busbars are solid bars that can be flat strips or hollow tubes. These shapes enhance
heat dissipation due to their high surface area relative to their cross-sectional area. The
skin effect makes hollow or flat designs particularly suitable for high current applications.
 Conductor
Material
Silver is the best common electrical conductor due to its low resistance, making it highly
effective for conducting electricity. Historically, several hundred pounds of silver wiring were
used in early mainframe computers. Gold is another excellent conductor, but both silver and
gold are too expensive for typical building installations.

Conductor Insulation
Conductors are insulated to ensure electrical isolation and physical protection, preventing
power loss and reducing the risk of short circuits. The type of insulation determines
suitability for different environments; indoor wires face less exposure than outdoor ones,
which must resist water and UV light. Wires buried underground require insulation that
can handle damp and corrosive soil conditions. For specialized applications, an
additional protective jacket may be added for extra chemical, physical, or thermal
protection.
 Cable

A cable contains more than one conductor bundled together in

a factory assembly of wires. An outer sheathing encases and
protects the conductors, simplifying installation of multiple wiring.
 Common Conductors
THHN or THWN-2 conductor

RHH or RHW-2
conductor
Common Cables
Nonmetallic-sheathed (NM)
cable

Armored (AC) cable

Underground feeder (UF)

cable

Service entrance (SE)

cable

Service entrance (SER) cable

 Cords
Cords consist of stranded conductors enclosed in flexible insulated sheathing, designed
for bending and flexibility. Typically made with lighter gauge stranded conductors (e.g.,
AWG 18 or 16), they are used for power tools, stationary equipment, and detachable
computer power cords. Extension cords are specifically made with stranded wires to
enable easy bending and twisting without stressing the conductors.

Concealed Knob-and-Tube
Wiring
Concealed knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring is an older method that uses insulated conductors
supported by glass or porcelain knobs and tubes. In this setup, the ungrounded (hot) wire
runs along one side of the joist or stud, while the neutral wire runs along the opposite
side. The wires are secured to the wood with ceramic knobs spaced approximately 18
inches apart, and ceramic tubes are used to protect the wires from abrasion when they
pass through joists or studs.
Conductor Power Loss
Heat generated by current flow through a conductor results in a loss
of power. This lost power is referred to as power loss or line loss.

Conductor Ampacity
Electrical current generates heat due to resistance in conductors. While some heat is
acceptable in building wiring systems, excessive heating is unsafe, as it can degrade
insulation and lead to short circuits or ground faults. Therefore, conductors are rated
based on the maximum amperage they can safely carry without overheating and
damaging their insulation.
Voltage Drops in Conductors

In a closed circuit, voltage decreases from the power supply to the usage end due to
power losses, leading to inefficient operation of appliances designed for specific
voltages. For heating devices, a 10% voltage drop results in a 19% reduction in heat
output. Similarly, a motor's input current may increase by about 11% under the same
conditions, causing conductor heating to rise by approximately 23%, creating a
hazardous situation. Thus, voltage drop is an important design consideration,
especially for long conductor runs, alongside ampacity.
THANK
YOU
Reporter:Group 2