Building Services

Unit 1
Definition:

Electricity is a form of energy that can be
easily changed to other forms.

What is Electricity?
Where does Electricity come from?
Mainly 2 sources:
1) Power Stations
- Supply a lot of electricity
- Used in many electrical
appliances

2) Electric Cells (batteries)
- Supply a little electricity
- Portable
- Safe
The electrical current that goes
into our home comes from the
electricity supply company's
distribution network, usually in
the form of overhead cables
running on concrete poles or
using cables buried one meter
below the ground.
When the cables reach a residential house, they
usually enter the house through the front entrance
and connect to a meter panel.
Together with the meter on the panel is also a cut-
out fuse and a neutral link. The meter and the fuse
usually belong to the supply company.
The electric supply company would only install the
meter if the owner or the tenant of the unit submits
the supply application form and pay the necessary
connection fees and deposit.
ELECTRICITY IN A BUILDING
All electrical cables must be insulated.
Otherwise the conductor part (the copper part
of the cable, or the aluminum part if it is an
aluminum cable) can be exposed to touch
and cause danger of electric shocks.

Without insulation, a short circuit between
electrical parts or components can easily
occur which will damage the components and
also cause fire to the house.

EARTHING
The view inside of a lighting
and power DB for an office
building.
Internal wiring of an electrical DB
A house electrical panel or Distribution Board


Basically it is a box in a house that controls the
distribution of electricity to the whole house.
Miniature circuit
Switches
A switch is used to open or close a circuit.

Main Switch used in buildings
Switches used on circuit boards
Open Circuit

Bulb does not light up
when the switch is open.
Close Circuit

Bulb will light up
when the switch is closed.
AC / DC current
The AC Current its better to transmit through long distances.
If the electric power is produced 500km away from where
its going to be consumed, the technique to "keep the power
through the distance" is to high the voltage of the lines, so
this gives more strength to cross the distance.
Then, when the current arrives through the lines, the voltage
is dropped again and then distributed to the different
consumers in the appropriate values.
This cannot be done with DC Current.
What voltages are dangerous?

A wide range of voltages can be dangerous for different
reasons. A very low voltage (such as that produced by a single
torch battery) can produce a spark powerful enough to ignite
an explosive atmosphere. Batteries (such as those in motor
vehicles) can also overheat or explode if they are shorted.
If a person comes into contact with a voltage above about 50
volts, they can receive a range of injuries, including those
directly resulting from electrical shock (problems with
breathing, heart function etc); and indirect effects resulting
from loss of control (such as falling from height or coming into
contact with moving machinery). The chance of being injured
by an electric shock increases where it is damp or where there
is a lot of metalwork

SAFETY DEVICES
FUSE :-



Electric Fuse is a Safety device.
It works on the principle of Joules law of heating.
It consists of a fuse wire made of an alloy of tin and lead,
which melts and breaks the circuit whenever current in
the circuit exceeds safe limits due to overloading or short
circuit.
The thickness and length of the fuse wire depends on the maximum current
allowed through the circuit
It is connected in series in the beginning of the electric circuits.
An electric fuse is a device which is
used to limit the current in an
electric circuit. The fuse safeguards
the circuit and the electrical
appliances from being damaged.
Electric fuses are always connected in series in an electric circuit. Why?

When the circuit current exceeds a specified value due to voltage fluctuations
or short-circuiting, the fuse wire gets heated and melts. Thus it breaks the
connection and no current flows. This prevents damage to the appliance.
Domestic circuits may be damaged due to the following conditions:-
Overloading , Short-circuiting , Earthing of electrical appliance

Overloading : If too many electrical appliances of high power rating (like electric iron,
water heater etc) are switched on at the same time, they draw an extremely large current
from the circuit. This condition is called overloading and it can cause overheating of the
wiring and lead to a fire. It can also happen due to an accidental hike in the supply
voltage.






uon'L overload Lhe
socket
Short-circuiting : In an electric circuit a
short - circuit occurs whenever the live
wire and the neutral wire come in direct
contact. The wires touch each other due to
faulty connection or sometimes due to the
wearing off the insulation. This
condition leads to overheating of the wires
and causes a fire.

Our nerves also have protective coverings called
myelin sheath. When neuropathy happens, this nerve
insulation is slowly stripped which exposes our nerves
that are very sensitive.
This is where the numbness and pain of a
neuropathy patient come from. Although there are
many kinds of neuropathy, all of them have to do with
degeneration of the nerves.

Neuropathy and Short Circuit of Electrical Wires
Neuropathy is the damage of nerves.


Neuro means nerves while pathy means a disease
or disorder
SINGLE PHASE AND 3 PHASE

With single-phase current, the voltage rises to a
peak in one direction of flow, subsides to zero,
reverses, rises to a peak in the opposite direction,
subsides to zero, and so on.

The cycle repeats itself 60 times every second,
which is where we get the term 60-cycle or 60-hertz
alternating current.

Single-phase current requires the use of one
transformer.

SINGLE PHASE AND 3 PHASE
In the case of three-phase current, the same pattern exists,
except that there are three separate and distinct single-phase
currents, which are combined so they can be transmitted over
three or four wires.
The three currents rise to a peak in one direction, subside,
reverse, and so on; however they do not peak at the same
time.
Each phase reaches its peak 120 degrees apart from the
others.
Three-phase current requires two or three transformers.



Earthing of electrical appliance
To avoid the risk of electric shocks, the metal of an electrical
appliance is 'earthed'.
Earthed means to connect the metal case of the appliance to the
earth (at zero potential) by means of a metal wire (copper) called
the earth wire. One end of the earth wire is buried deep in the earth;
the other end of the wire is connected to the three pin socket. When
the electrical appliance is switched on, the metal casing of the
appliance will remain at zero potential as it is in contact with the
earth wire in the three pin socket. It thus prevents us from an
electric shock even if we touch it accidentally
Usually an electric appliance such as a heater, an
iron, etc. are fitted with all the 3 wires namely
live, neutral and earth. The earth wire is connected
to the metallic body of the appliance. This is done
to avoid accidental shock. Suppose due to some
defect, the insulation of the live wire inside an
electric iron is burnt then the live wire may touch
the metallic body of the iron.
When the iron is in use, the metallic body will also be increased to 110V. If we accidentally
come in contact with such a metallic body we are sure to get an electric shock. If the earth wire
is properly connected to the metallic body it protects us from an electric shock
EARTHING THE BUILDING
Dig a hole. Put some nassaddar

Put the copper plate and wire. Connect the
wire to the MSB
Add some charcoal

Water it well. And you are ready. Fill up
the whole
Methods of Earthing:

The important methods of earthing are the plate earthing and
the pipe earthing. The earth resistance for copper wire is 1
ohm and that of G I wire less than 3 ohms. The earth
resistance should be kept as low as possible so that the
neutral of any electrical system, which is earthed, is
maintained almost at the earth potential. The typical value of
the earth resistance at powerhouse is 0. 5 ohm and that at
substation is 1 ohm.
Plate earthing
Pipe earthing

Plate Earthing
In this method a copper plate
of 60cm x 60cm x 3.18cm or a
GI plate of the size 60cm x
60cm x 6.35cm is used for
earthing. The plate is placed
vertically down inside the
ground at a depth of 3m and
is embedded in alternate
layers of coal and salt for a
thickness of 15 cm. In
addition, water is poured for
keeping the earth electrode
resistance value well below a
maximum of 5 ohms. The
earth wire is securely bolted
to the earth plate. A cement
masonry chamber is built with
a cast iron cover for easy
regular maintenance.
Pipe Earthing
Earth electrode made of a GI
(galvanized) iron pipe of 38mm
in diameter and length of 2m
(depending on the current) with
12mm holes on the surface is
placed upright at a depth of
4.75m in a permanently wet
ground. To keep the value of the
earth resistance at the desired
level, the area (15 cms)
surrounding the GI pipe is filled
with a mixture of salt and coal..
The efficiency of the earthing
system is improved by pouring
water through the funnel
periodically. The GI earth wires
of sufficient cross- sectional
area are run through a 12.7mm
diameter pipe (at 60cms below)
from the 19mm diameter pipe
and secured tightly at the top as
shown in the following figure.

TRANSFORMERS
Transformers are used at power stations to increase the
voltage and decrease the current of the electricity being
supplied across the National Grid.
This is to reduce power loss, as high currents cause higher
power losses.
At local stations, transformers are used again to reduce the
voltage to a safe level.
Transformers only work with ac current, so AC current allows
electricity to be distributed over long distances more
efficiently.
Transformer
An A.C. device used to change high voltage low
current A.C. into low voltage high current A.C. and
vice-versa without changing the frequency
In brief,
1. Transfers electric power from one circuit to another
2. It does so without a change of frequency
3. It accomplishes this by electromagnetic induction
4. Where the two electric circuits are in mutual
inductive influence of each other.
Principle of operation
It is based on
principle of MUTUAL
INDUCTION.
According to which
an e.m.f. is induced
in a coil when
current in the
neighbouring coil
changes.
Cut view of transformer
Working of a transformer
1. When current in the
primary coil changes being
alternating in nature, a
changing magnetic field is
produced
2. This changing magnetic
field gets associated with
the secondary through the
soft iron core
3. Hence magnetic flux
linked with the secondary
coil changes.
4. Which induces e.m.f. in the
secondary.
Electrical Switchgear

Definition of Switchgear
A switchgear is used for
switching controlling and
protecting the electrical circuits
and equipment's.
A switchgear or electrical
switchgear is a generic term
which includes all the switching
devices associated with mainly
power system protection.
It also includes all devices
associated with control, metering
and regulating of electrical
power system.
Assembly of such devices in a
logical manner forms a
switchgear. This is very basic
definition of switchgear.

Electrical Switchgear Elements of a substation
A:Primary power lines' side B:Secondary power lines' side
1.Primary power lines
2.Ground wire
3.Overhead lines
4.Transformer for measurement of electric voltage
5.Disconnect switch
6.Circuit breaker
7.Current transformer
8.Lightning arrester
9.Main transformer
10.Control building
11.Security fence
12.Secondary power lines
SUBSTATION
30
.
What is a substation?
An electrical
substation takes
electricity from a
very high voltage
and lowers it to the
voltage we use in
our homes &
businesses
.
Electricity is made
at a very high,
powerful voltage. A
substation safely
changes the
electricity from very
high voltage to
lower voltage we
can use.
What does a substation do?
.
How does a substation work?
1ransformers 'sLep
down' Lhe elecLrlclLy
from the high voltage
needed to
economically transmit
the electricity.
There are also complex
circuit breakers,
switches, relays, and
capacitors.
Substations have HUGE
power poles to bring in
the high voltage
electricity. These
would be more than
200 feet tall.
3
3

.
How does a substation work?
Substations operate
without any workers on-
site.
Substations are monitored
by remote control.
Because these are very
dangerous activities and
no workers are present,
they have automated
emergency gear.
There are detectors for
fire and line breaks.
There is automatic fire
suppression.
3
4

A quick picture of how substation works
3
5

.
Can a substation harm me?
The short answer is YES!

1haL's why Lhere are fences
around them. They can
electrocute people.
Poisonous and corrosive
chemicals are inside the
substation.
All substations emit invisible
electrical waves. Some
scientists believe these waves
harm us.




.
So why do we have substations?
We need them to cheaply
transfer electricity.

Substations are a part of what
we call essential
infrastructure.
Types of wiring according to the Uses.
1. Domestic Wiring.
2. Commercial Wiring.
3. Industrial Wiring.

Introduction of wiring.
Use of electricity
1. In industries : Heating, welding, electroplating.
2. Domestic : Light, fan, heater, washing machine.
3. Commercial : Cinema, Lift, water pump, lighting,
advertising display.
POWER CIRCUITS

When deciding on the number of circuits for a house, a
useful rule is; one power circuit for every 100m
2
of floor
area.
In larger houses this means that two circuits can be
used for power socket outlets, in a two-storey house
this would be one circuit for upstairs and one for
downstairs.
In some larger houses a separate power circuit is also
installed for the garage / utility area
Ring circuits are used as a safe and economic method of
distribution of electricity to socket outlets.
Many consumer unit manufacturers produce 8 way and
12 way units.

The electrical distribution system in high rise flats and office
buildings uses a busbar system.
A busbar is a solid copper bar that carries the electrical
current.
The busbars run vertically inside trunking and are supported
by insulated bars across the trunking chamber.
The electrical supply to each floor is connected to the rising
main by means of tap-off units.
To balance electrical distribution across the phases,
connections at each floor should be spread between the
phase bars.
To prevent the spread of fire and smoke, fire barriers are
incorporated with the busbar chamber at each compartment
floor level.
The chamber must also be fire stopped to the full depth of
the floor.
Distribution in High-rise Buildings
Factors Affecting choice of wiring
Safety
Duration
Appearance
Accessibility
Maintenance
Cost

Surface Switch
Flush Switch
Pull /Ceiling Switch
Push Button Switch
Iron Clad Water tight
Switch
Rotary Snap Switch
Types of Wiring

1. Cleat Wiring
2. Batten Wiring
(i) PVC Batten wiring.
(ii)TRS/CTS Wiring.
(iii)Lead Shed Wiring.
3. Casing Capping wiring
(a) Wood Casing capping Wiring
(b) PVC Casing Capping Wiring.
4. Conduit Wiring
(a) Surface conduit wiring
Metal Conduit Wiring
PVC conduit wiring
(b) Consealed Conduit Wiring
Metal Conduit Wiring.
PVC Conduit wiring



Introduction
The types of wiring to be adopted is dependent on
various factors, viz, durability, safety, appearance,
cost, consumers budget etc.
Cleat wiring
This System uses insulated Cables sub protected
in porcelain cleats.



CLEAT WIRING

Cleat wiring is recommended only for temporary
installations.
The cleats are made in pairs having bottom and top
halves.
The bottom half is grooved to receive the wire and
the top half is for cable grip.
Initially the bottom and top cleats are fixed on the
wall loosely according to the layout.
Then the cable is drawn, tensioned and the cleats
are tightened by the screw.
Cleats are of three types, having one, two or three
grooves, so as to receive one, two or three wires.



Cleat wiring is one of the cheapest wiring
considering the initial cost and labor, and
is most suitable for temporary wiring.
This wiring can be quickly installed, easily
inspected and altered.
When not required, this wiring could be
dismantled without damage to the cables,
cleats and accessories

Fixing of cleats
In ordinary cases, cleats shall be attached to wooden
plugs fixed to the walls
B.I.S. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLEAT WIRING

General
This system shall not be employed for wiring on damp walls
or ceilings unless precautions are adopted for effectively
preventing dampness and thus the deterioration of the
insulation of the conductors.
Accessibility
Cleat wiring shall be run, as far as practicable, so as to be
visible.
In positions where they would be liable to mechanical injury
and where they are less than 1.5 m above the floor, they
shall be adequately protected.
Class of cables
Vulcanized rubber insulted cables, PVC and polythene insulted
cables, braided or unbraided insulted cables could be used
without any further protection.
Cleats
All cleats shall consist of two parts, a base piece and a cap.
Cleats shall be fixed at distances not more than 60 cm apart
and at regular intervals.

WOOD CASING WIRING SYSTEM
This system of wiring is suitable for low voltage installation
where vulcanized rubber
insulated cables, plastic insulated cables or other suitable
insulated cables shall be used in the wiring
work and carried within wood casing enclosure. Wood casing
wiring system shall not be used in damp
places or in ill-ventilated places, unless suitable precautions
are taken.
All casing shall be of seasoned teak wood or any other
approved hardwood, free from knots, shakes, saps, or other
defects, all sides planed with smooth
finish, and ail sides well varnished ( both inside and outside )
with pure shellac varnish. The casing
shall have grooved body with beaded or plain moulded cover
as desired.
All casing shall be fixed by means of suitable
Flat-head wood screws to plugs at an
interval not exceeding 90 cm for sizes up to
64 mm casing and not exceeding 60 cm for
sizes above 64 mm casing.
All casing shall be spaced from the wall or
ceiling by means of porcelain disc insulators
not less than 6.5 mm thick.
Casing shall be used only on dry walls and
ceilings avoiding outside walls, as far as
possible.

TOUGH RUBBER-SHEATHED OR PVC
SHEATHED WIRING SYSTEM
Wiring with tough rubber sheathed cables is suitable for low voltage
installations,
and shall not be used in places exposed to sun and rain nor in damp
places.
Wiring with PVC-sheathed cables is suitable for medium voltage
installation and may be installed directly under exposed conditions
of sun and rain or damp places.
This system of wiring is suitable in situations where acids and alkalis
are likely to be present.
Where attack from white ants (termite) is prevalent, anti-termite
treatment shall be-given.
Sheathed cables on brick walls, stone or plaster walls and ceilings,
steel joists, or any structural steel work shall be run on well-
seasoned and varnished, straight teak wood battens finished.
Prior to erection, these shall be painted with one coat of varnish or
suitable paint matching with the surroundings.

CONDUIT WIRING
An electrical conduit is an electrical
tubing used for protection and routing
of electrical wiring. Electrical conduit
may be made of metal, plastic, fiber,
or fired clay. Flexible conduit is
available for special purposes
The term "conduit" is commonly used by electricians to describe any
system that contains electrical conductors
Electrical conduit provides very good protection to enclosed conductors
from impact, moisture, and chemical vapors.
Varying numbers, sizes, and types of conductors can be pulled into a
conduit, which simplifies design and construction compared to multiple
runs of cables or the expense of customized composite cable.
Wiring systems in buildings may be subject to frequent alterations.
Frequent wiring changes are made simpler and safer through the use of
electrical conduit, as existing conductors can be withdrawn and new
conductors installed, with little disruption along the path of the conduit.
Types of Conduits : Metal,Non-Metal,Flexible and Underground.
Types of Lighting
Incandescents/Halogens.
Fluorescents.
High Intensity Discharge (HID).
Inductive.
Light Emitting Diode.
Incandescent Lamps
One of the oldest electric lighting
technologies.
Light is produced by passing a
current through a tungsten
filament.
Least efficient (4 to 24
lumens/watt).
Lamp life ~ 1,000 hours.
Inexpensive
Easily dimmed no ballast
needed
Immediate off and on
No temperature concerns can
be used outdoors
100, 75, 60 and 40 watt lamps
will be going away per 2007 law
beginning 2012

Fluorescent Lamps
Most common commercial lighting technology.
High Efficicacy: up to 100 lumens/watt.
Improvements made in the last 15 years.
T12: 1.5 inch in diameter.
T8: 1 inch in diameter.
~30% more efficient than T12.
T5: 5/8 inch in diameter.
~40% more efficient than T12.
Observations About Fluorescents
They often take a few moments to turn on
They come in several variations of white
They are often whiter than incandescent bulbs
They last longer than incandescent bulbs
They sometimes hum loudly
They flicker before they fail completely
HOW IS LIGHT PRODUCED
The fluorescent lamp produces light by the passage of an electric
current flowing through a vapor of mercury.





1.Electron emitted from electrode collides with mercury atom.
2.Impact produces ultraviolet rays
3.Phosphor converts ultraviolet to visible light.
1hls process ls known as fluorescence," hence Lhe name fluorescenL
lamp.

THE ELEMENTS OF A
FLUORESCENT LAMP
A fluorescent lamp contains the following basic elements:
Bulb Electrodes Gases
Base Phosphors Mercury
THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
THE BULB
Most fluorescent lamps
are made in straight
tubular bulbs in various
diameters.

Circline lamps are in the
form of a circle.

U-Bent lamps are
essentially straight lamps
bent to form a U shape.




THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
THE BASE
The base provides the means of holding the lamp firmly in the
lamp holders or sockets and providing the electrical connections
for the lamp/ballast circuit. The basic types are:











Bipin Used on preheat and rapid start lamps.







THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
Single Pin Used on slimline lamps.




Recessed Double Contact Used on HO and VHO lamps.







THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
The significant dimensions of fluorescent lamps are:
Bulb diameter
Nominal overall length

Bulb Diameter Expressed in eighths of an inch.



Diameter = 12 8 = 1 inches





THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
Nominal Length Unique to fluorescent lamps.
Straight Lamps Measured from the back of one socket or lampholder to the
back of the other socket. Pin to Pin.












THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
U-Bent Lamps Measured from the back of the socket to top of the lamp.




Circline Lamps Measured from the outside diameter of the lamp.









THE ELEMENTS OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
THE ELECTRODES
Coiled tungsten wires coated with an emission
material
When heated, emit electrons
Electrons bombard mercury atoms producing
ultraviolet rays.










THE PHOSHPORS
Phosphors are the coated powders on the inside of the bulb that convert the
ultraviolet rays to visible light. There are two basic types:
Halophosphates
Trichromatics or Triband Phosphors

Compact Fluorescent
Excellent color available comparable to incandescent

Many choices (sizes, shapes, wattages, output, etc.)

Wide Range of CRI and Color Temperatures

Energy Efficient (3.5 to 4 times incandescent)

Long Life (generally 10,000 hours
lasts 12 times longer than standard 750 hour incandescent lamps)

Less expensive dimming now available (0-10v dimming to 5%)

Available for outdoor use with amalgam technology