ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN A BUILDING

The Branch Circuit

Electric Circuit refers to the complete path traversed by an electric current. In short, electric circuit is
the entire house wiring installation.

Branch Circuit is defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC) as: “the circuit conductors between the
final over current protective device and the outlets. i.e fuse or circuit breaker, and the outlets.

In practice, it is common knowledge that the branch circuit comprises the following:

1. The Source Voltage;

2. The Wiring;
3. The load

Good Circuitry design is based on the following considerations:

1. Flexibility of the circuit

2. Reliability and efficiency of service
3. Safety of the circuitry
4. Economy as to cost
5. Energy consideration
6. Space allocation

Reliability and Efficiency of Service means to have a continuous service and supply of power that are all
dependent on the wiring system.

Reliability of electric power in a facility is determined by two factor:

1. The utility service

2. Building electric system

Safety means that independent service can be used in lieu of emergency equipment as back up for
normal services. For reliability of the circuitry, the following principles should be considered:

1. To provide double emergency power equipment at selected weak points in the system.
2. That the electrical service and the building distribution system must act together so that the
power can reach the desired point of service.
3. Critical loads within the facility must be pinpointed to determine the best way to serve them by
providing a reliable power either from the outside source or by standby power package for
them.
4. The system design must readily detect any equipment failure and to be corrected automatically.
Economy refers to the initial cost as well as the operating costs. These to cost- factors stand in inverse
relationship to one another. Overdesign is as bad as under design. It is wasteful both on initial and
operating costs.

The Effect of Acquiring Low Cost Equipment

1. High energy cost

2. Higher maintenance cost
3. Shorter life

Energy Consideration is a complex consideration of the following factors:

1. Energy laws and codes

2. Budget
3. Energy conservation technique
4. Energy control

Space Allocation considers the following:

1. Easy Maintenance
2. Ventilation
3. Expandability
4. Centrality
5. Limitation of Access

The Branch Circuit is classified into:

1. General Purpose Branch Circuit

2. Appliance Branch Circuit
3. Individual Branch Circuit

The National Electrical Code defines the different types of branch circuit as follows:

1. General Purpose Branch Circuit supplies outlets for lighting and appliances, including
convenience receptacles.
2. Appliance Branch Circuit supplies outlets intended for feeding appliances. Fixed lighting
however, is not supplied.
3. Individual Branch Circuit is designed to supply a single specific item.
Circuiting Guidelines

The following are the rules and guidelines by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for flexibility, economy,
and convenient way of installing a circuitry.

1. The code requires sufficient circuitry to supply residential load of 30 watts per square meter in
buildings excluding porches, garage, and basements.
2. The requirement of 30 watts per square meter is up to 80 sq-m for a 20 amperes circuit (2,400
watts) or 60 square meters for 15 amperes circuit (1,800 watts).
3. Good practice suggests that the load should not exceed 1,600 watts for a 20 amperes circuit and
1,200 watts for a 15 amperes circuit. Thus;
a. Observe a minimum load of 1,200 watts on a 15 amperes circuit with a maximum area
of 40 square meters.
b. A maximum load of 1,600 watts for a 20 amperes circuit with a maximum area of 53
square meters.
4. The code requires a minimum of 20 amperes appliance branch circuit to feed small appliance
outlets in the kitchen, pantry, dining, and family room.
5. The general purpose branch circuit shall be rated at 20 amperes circuit, wired with no. 12 AWG
being the minimum size of conductor wire required for all convenience outlets.
6. Circuit load on a 15- ampere circuit shall be limited to the values given in the Table A and Table
B.
7. Plug outlets or convenience receptacles shall be counted in computing the load if it is not
included in the load for general lighting circuit. To find the number of outlets for 9 and 12
amperes loading on a 15 amperes and 20 amperes circuit respectively, we have:
a. For 15 amperes circuit: 9/1.5 = 6 outlets
b. F0r 20 amperes circuit: 12/1.5 = 8 outlets
8. Convenience receptacles should be planned properly, so that in case failure by any one of the
circuitry, the entire area will not deprived of power supply. In terms of reliability of service, each
area should be provided alternately with different circuits.
9. All kitchen outlets should be fed from at least two of these circuits.
10. The Code further stipulates that; “all receptacles are potential appliance outlet and at least
two circuits shall be supplied to serve them.”
11. Certain outlets in the room should be designed as appliance outlet like:
a. All kitchen receptacles
b. Dining room receptacles
c. One in the living room
12. The Code requires that; “at least one 20 amperes circuit supply the laundry outlets.”
13. If air conditioner is anticipated, provide a separate circuit for this particular appliance.
TABLE A: BRANCH CIRCUIT CAPACITY – ELECTRIC HEAT

Circuit Breaker Maximum Watts

Size
120 Volts 240 Volts
15 Amperes 1440 2880
20 Amperes 1920 3840
30 Amperes 2880 5760

TABLE B: BRANCH CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS

15 Amps. 20 Amps. 30 Amps. 40 Amps. 50 Amps.

Maximum size of No. 14
12 10 8 6
conductor wire
Minimum size
No. 14 14 14 12 12
taps
Over current
15 Amp. 20 30 40 50
device rating
Lamp holders
Any type Any type H. Duty H. Duty H. Duty
permitted
Receptacle rating
5 Amp. 15-20 30 40 -50 50
permitted
Maximum
15 Amp. 20 30 40 50
Load

Other Good Practices in Circuiting

1. Lighting and receptacles should not be combined in a single circuit.

2. Avoid connecting all building lights on a single circuit.
3. Lighting and receptacles should be supplied with current from at least two circuits so that, if a
single line is out, the entire area is not deprived of power.
4. Do not allow combination switch and receptacle outlets.
5. Provide at least one receptacle in the bathroom, and one outside the house. Both must be
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) type.
6. Provide switch control for closet lights. Pull chain switch is a nuisance.
7. Convenience outlet though counted as part of the general lighting load shall be limited to 6
convenience outlets on a 15 amperes circuit and 8 convenience outlets on a 20 amperes circuit.
8. The code requires that, at least one 20 amperes circuit supply shall be installed in the laundry
outlets.
9. Convenience outlet shall be laid out in such a manner that no point on wall is more than 2.00
meters from an outlet. Use a grounding type receptacle only.
Circuit Safe Load:

The branch circuit which is the technical term for the house wiring installation varies in sizes depending
upon the kind of load it is to serve. Load refers to the consumption or electricity drawn by lighting
fixtures, appliances, equipment etc.

The problem now confronting the technologist is how to determine the types of wire to be used , its
sizes and other appurtenances relative to its installation.

These problems however, have already been resolved by particular provisions of the National Electrical
Code. For instance:

1. The code provides that wiring for electrical circuitry shall be of the types RHW, T, THM, TW,
THWN, XHHW in raceway or cables as Table C.
2. That on a 15 ampere circuit, a single appliance shall not draw a maximum load of more than 12
amperes
3. That on a 20 ampere circuit, a single appliance shall not draw current in excess of 16 amperes.
4. That if a branch circuit is combined with lighting or portable appliances, any fixed appliance shall
not be allowed to draw more than 7.5 amperes on a 15 ampere circuit and 10 amperes on a 20
ampere circuit.
5. That on a 30 ampere circuit, a single appliance draw shall not exceed 24 amperes.
6. That heavy lamp holder shall be rated not less than 750 watts.
7. That a 30, 40 and 50 amperes circuits shall not be used for fixed lighting in residences.
8. That when loads are connected for a long period of time, its actual load shall be computed not
to exceed 80% of the fuse rating.
The long period refers to electric motors, air conditioner and other similar units with a
continuous loading.
9. That a continuous type load shall be considered at 125% of the actual load in all load
calculations.
10. That a single receptacle on an individual branch circuit shall have a rating of not less that the
circuit.
11. That, receptacles feeding portable and or steady appliance shall be limited to loads of 80% of
their rating. That is:
a) 12 ampere for a 15 ampere receptacle
b) 16 ampere for a 20 ampere receptacle
c) 24 ampere for a 30 ampere receptacle

12. That the number of outlets in a circuit shall be limited to:

a) 6 outlets on a 15 ampere circuit
b) 8 outlets on a 20 ampere circuit
Note that a 15 or 20 ampere circuit refers to a branch circuit or wiring installation with a fuse or circuit
breaker rated at 15 or 20 amperes respectively. Thus, a 15 or 20 ampere circuit refers more particularly
to the rating of the fuse or protective devise rather than the wiring itself because the protective device
has to open in case of over current or fault before the wiring itself is damaged. Fuse rating shall be lower
than the allowable ampacity of the wire except for no.14,12 and 10 AWG conductors where the load
current rating and the over current rating protection shall not exceed 15,20 and 30 amperes.

Recall:

OHM’S LAW

V = IR

Where: V = voltage

I = amperes

R = resistance

POWER LAW

P = IV

Where: P = Power

I = amperes

V=voltage

If 16 amperes is allowed to be drawn by a single appliance on a 20 ampere circuit it simply mean that
20% safety factor is provided by the code. Thus to determine the wattage or maximum equivalent load
equivalent to 16 ampere on an outlet for a single appliance load if voltage is 240:

P = IV

P = 240 volts x 16 amp

P= 3,840 watts
Table C. Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Copper Conductors not more than 3 wires in Raceway
(Table 2-5)
Table D. Maximum Number of wires in a conduit (Table 2-9)
Table D. Allowable Ampacities of insulated conductors rated 0-2000 volts, 60° to 90° C (Table 4-2)

Not more than three conductors in raceway or cable or directly buried based on Ambient Temperature
SAMPLE PROBLEM:

A single family dwelling is to be circuited with the following requirements. Determine the following:

a) Size of the branch circuit conductor for lighting outlets

b) Size of the conduit pipes

c) Size or rating of the fuse protective device

Solution:
EXERCISE

A single family dwelling is to be circuited with the following requirements. Determine the following:

V = 230 volts

Type of wire: THHN

a) Size of the branch circuit conductor for lighting outlets

b) Size of the conduit pipes

c) Size or rating of the fuse protective device