Wiring Systems and Types of House Wiring

What is Electrical Wiring?

 A network of cables connecting various electrical accessories for distribution
of electrical energy from the supplier meter board to the various electrical
energy consuming devices such as lamps, fans, radio, TV and other domestic
appliances through controlling and safety devices is known as wiring
system.
 The supplier service cable feeding an installation terminates at services fuses
(some times called service cutouts).
 Service cutouts including service meter (i.e. energy meter) remains the
property of the supplier.
 The point at which the consumer wiring is connected in to the cutout is
known as point of commencement of supply or consumers terminals.
 From consumer terminals onwards the supply cables are under the control of
consumers and so laid as per his choice

Electrical Energy Distribution Systems

(a) Distribution Board System

 It is the most commonly adopted system for distribution of
electrical energy in buildings.
 The fuses of all circuits are grouped on a distribution board and is
also known as fuse board [now – a – days the DP (double-pole)
main switch and fuses are grouped on a single board only].
  The two cu strips known as busbar fixed in distribution board of
metal case are connected to supply mains through a linked switch.
 The distribution board shown in above fig has 4 sub-circuits or
ways, each circuit is provided with a fuse(phase pole of each
circuit)
 In large building sub distribution board are used to save cable or to
prevent too great voltage drop.
(b) Tree System

 In tree system the sub circuits are taken from the main circuit or
main line as shown in fig .
 The wiring system resembles like a tree, hence it is known as tree
system.
 Now – a – days this system is obsolete

Drawbacks :

1. Voltage across all the lamp does not remain same

2. A no. of joints are involved in every circuit.
3. Fuses are scattered.
4. difficulty to find the fault.

Methods of wiring

a) Joint Box or Tee 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. it is
therefore cheaper. 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

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
 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.
Disadvantages
 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.
Systems of wiring
Electrical wiring system is classified into five categories:

 Cleat wiring
 Wooden casing and capping wiring
 CTS or TRS or PVC sheath wiring
 Lead sheathed or metal sheathed wiring
 Conduit wiring
1. Surface or open Conduit type
2. Recessed or concealed or underground type Conduit
A. Cleat Wiring
Material Used in Cleat Wiring
 VIR or PVC insulated wires
 Weather proof cables
 Porcelain cleats or plastic cleats (two or three grooves)
 Screws
 In this system of wiring cables are supported and gripped between porcelain cleats
6mm. above the wall or roof.
 The porcelain cleats are made in two halves. The main part is base, which is
grooved to accommodate the cables, the other part is the cap which is put over the
base
 The lower cleat (base) and upper cover (cap), after placing cables between them
are then screwed on wooden gutties.
 The screw used in this case are of size 38mm length.
 The gutties are previously fixed into the walls or roof at an interval of 30 to 60 cm.
if the distance between the cleats is increased, there is every risk of cables touching
the walls.
 For low voltage (up to 250-V) installation, cleats shall be such dimensions that
cables shall not be less than 2.5 cm. apart for branch circuits and, should not less
than 4 cm. apart for sub mains.
 Only one cable should be placed in each groove
Advantages
1. It is the cheapest system.
2. Installation and dismantling is easy.
3. Less skilled persons are required.
4. Inspection is easy.
5. Alterations and additions are easy.
6. As the cables and wires of cleat wiring system is in open air,
Therefore fault in cables can be seen and repair easily
Disadvantages
1. It is purely temporary wiring system.
2. Appearance is not good.
3. Cables are exposed to atmosphere and there is a possibility of
mechanical injury.
4. This system should not be used in damp places otherwise insulation
gets damaged.
5. it is not lasting wire system because of the weather effect and wear &
tear
6. it can be only used on 250/440 Volts on low temperature.
 7. There is always a risk of fire and electric shock.
8. it can’t be used in important and sensitive location and places.
9. It is not reliable and sustainable wiring system.

Application:
 Suitable for temporary installation in dry places i.e. under construction
building or army camping
B. Casing and Capping wiring
Material Used in Casing Wiring
 VIR or PVC insulated wires
 Casing Enclosure (made of wood or plastic)
 Capping (made of wood or plastic)
 Casing and capping joints.
 It consists of rectangular blocks made from seasoned and knots free wood or
PVC.
 The casing has usually two (or three) ‘U’ shaped grooves, (two in number) into
which the VIR or PVC cables are laid in such a way that the opposite polarity
cables are laid in different grooves.
 The casing is covered by means of a rectangular strip of the same width as that of
casing known as capping and is screwed to it.
 This system of wiring is suitable for low voltage installations.
 The casing must be kept at least 3.2 mm. apart from the walls or ceiling by means
of porcelain pieces of thickness not less than 6.5mm to keep the casing dry at the
back
 The wooden gutties on which the casing is screwed by 32mm×8mm wooden
screws must be fitted into wall at an interval not exceeding 90cm for size of
casing capping upto 64mm and not exceeding 60cm for size more than 64mm
 The capping is screwd to the casing by 12.7mm length fixed at every 15cm for
wooden casing capping and capping itself is designed for tight fit over the casing
in case of PVC casing capping
 Joint is required since casing capping length available from 2.5m to 3m
 Casing capping should be painted or varnished after erection

Advantages
1. It provides good mechanical strength.
2. Easy to inspect by opening the capping.
3. It is cheap wiring system as compared to sheathed and conduit wiring
systems.
4. It is strong and long-lasting wiring system.
5. If Phase and Neutral wire is installed in separate slots, then repairing is
easy.
6. Stay for long time in the field due to strong insulation of capping and
casing..
7. It stays safe from oil, Steam, smoke and rain.
8. No risk of electric shock due to covered wires and cables in casing &
capping
Disadvantages
1. Difficulty in finding any fault caused in the wire.
 2. There is a high risk of fire in casing & capping wiring system.
3. Not suitable in the acidic, alkalies and humidity conditions
4. Costly repairing and need more material.
5. Material can’t be found easily in the contemporary
6. White ants may damage the casing & capping of wood.
7. This system can not be used in damp places.
Application:
Used in low voltage residential and office building.
C.Batten Wiring (CTS or TRS)
Material Used in Batten Wiring
 CTS or TRS cable
 Straight teak wooden batten (at 10 mm thick)
 Tinned brass link clip ( buckle clip)
 Brass pins
 The cables are run or carried on well seasoned, perfectly straight and well
varnished (on all four sides) teak wood batten of thickness 10 mm. at least.
 The width of the batten depends upon the number and size of cables to be
carried by it. The batten is available in widths of 6, 13, 19, 25, 31, 38, 44,
50, 56, 63, 69 and 75 mm.
 The wooden battens are fixed to the walls or ceilings by means of PVC
gutties or wooden plugs with flat head wooden screws, the wooden screws
should be fixed on the batten at an interval not exceeding 75cm.
 The cables are held on the wooden batten by means of tinned brass link clips
already fixed on the batten with (brass) pins and spaced at an interval of 10
cm. in horizontal run and 15cm in vertical run.
 the wiring after completion should be neatly painted with two coats of oil –
less, non – cracking paint
Advantages
1. Wiring installation is simple and easy
2. cheap as compared to other electrical wiring systems
3. Repairing is easy
4. strong and long-lasting
5. Appearance is better.
6. Customization is easy
7. Less chance of leakage current
Disadvantages
1. Not suitable for outdoor wiring
2. Humidity, smoke, steam etc directly affect on wires.
3. Heavy wires are not recommended for this wiring scheme.
4. Only suitable for below 250 V.
5. High risk of fire.
6. Good work man ship is required to make a sound job
7. Cannot be used in damp places
8. Appearance is not so beautiful as compared to conduit wiring
.
Application:
 Used in domestic,commercial or industrial wiring except workshops
 Used for low voltage installation
 D.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
Advantages
1. Provides protection against mechanical injury better than TRS wiring
2. Easy to fix and looks nice
3. Long life if proper earth continuity is maintained
4. Can be used in damp situation and in situation exposed to rain & sun
Disadvantages
1. Costlier than TRS wiring
2. Not suitable for chemical corrosion
3. In case of damage of insulation the metal sheath becomes alive & give shock
4. Skilled labour & proper supervision is required
Application:
Commonly used for laying submains from pole to electric meter
E.CONDUIT WIRING
Material Used in Conduit Wiring
 Conduit
 VIR or PVC insulated cables
 GI wire of 18SWG
 Screw
 Coupling
 Elbow
 Rigid off set
 2-hole strap
 Lock nut

 There are two additional types of conduit wiring according to pipe installation
 Surface Conduit Wiring
 Concealed Conduit Wiring
Surface Conduit Wiring

If conduits installed on roof or wall, It is known as surface conduit wiring. in this wiring method,
they make holes on the surface of wall on equal distances and conduit is installed then with the
help of rawal plugs.
Concealed Conduit wiring

If the conduits is hidden inside the wall slots with the help of plastering, it is called concealed
conduit wiring. In other words, the electrical wiring system inside wall, roof or floor with the
help of plastic or metallic piping is called concealed conduit wiring. obliviously, It is the most
popular, beautiful, stronger and common electrical wiring system nowadays.
 In conduit wiring, steel tubes known as conduits are installed on the surface of walls by
means of pipe hooks (surface conduit wiring) or buried in walls under plaster and VIR or
PVC cables are afterwards drawn by means of a GI wire of size if about 18SWG.
 In damp situation conduit can be spaced from the wall by wooden blocks
 The conduits should be electrically continuous and connected to earth at some suitable
points in case of steel conduit.
 Inspection T,bends or joint boxes should be used at all bends.
 Conduit pipes should be fixed by saddle at an interval of not more than 1m
 When conduit are buried under plaster it must be screwed to wall behind first.
 GI wire is used to lay down the wires through the conduit pipe
Advantages
1. The safest wiring
2. Appearance is better
3. No risk of fire or mechanical wear and tear.
4. No risk of damage of cable insulation
5. Safe from humidity, smoke, steam etc.
6. No risk of shock
7. Long lasting
8. it is safe from corrosion
9. system is waterproof
10. Repairing and maintenance is easy.
Disadvantages
1. Very expensive
2. Installation is not easy
3. Not easy to customize for future
4. Hard to detect the faults.
5. Risk of Electric shock (In case of metallic pipes without proper earthing system)
6. Experienced & highly skilled labour is required
Application:
1. Places where dust or fluff is present such as in textile mills, sawmills, flour mills etc
2. Damp situation
3. In workshop
4. Residential,commertial and public building
Factors affecting the choice of wiring system
When making choice for any wiring system for a particular installation, your
choice should be based on technical and economic factors.
1. Cost of wiring: The initial cost of the wiring system to be chosen or selected is
one of the paramount factors to be considered. It should be economical and safe.
2. Durability: When making choices for wiring system, the wiring type should be
durable (long lasting) and should also be of proper specifications and in
accordance with assessed life and type of building to be wired. Any wiring should
withstand wear and tear that may result due to unfavorable weather. The cables
used should be able to carry maximum current without overheating.
3. Permanency: The wiring should not deteriorate by the action of weather, fumes,
dampness etc. the cables should be resistant to harsh weather and chemical
attacks.
4. Accessibility: Facilities used in the wiring should be available (within range) and
accessible when the need for alteration, extension or renewal arises.
5. Appearance: The wiring should provide a good look after its installation. If cleat
or casing – capping wiring is used in a modern building, it will spoil the outlook of
that building. Conduit wiring is preferred mostly for modern buildings except that
it’s expensive. PVC wiring system is also good for modern buildings. PVC wiring
is very popular.
6. Mechanical Protection: The wiring should be protected from mechanical
damage during its use.
7. Safety: When it comes to wiring, safety is one of the most paramount factors to
be considered because electrocution is one thing you won’t have the time to give
it a second thought. Where there is possibility of fire hazard, conduit wiring
should be used.
8. Maintenance Cost: Wiring system employed should have low maintenance cost.
9. Load: The types of loads consuming the electrical energy in a building will
determine the kinds of cables to be used. You cannot use a cable with small
diameter for heavy loads. The cables will damage. Voltage to be employed and
fire hazard and insurance standards should also be kept in mind in case of large
factories.