Electrical Services and

Illumination

Electrical Services - 3
PANEL BOARD or DISTRIBUTION BOARD
A Panel Board is a single panel or a group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a
single panel, including buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped with or without
switches for the control of light, heat, or power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cut-out
box placed in or against a wall, partition, or other support; accessible only from the front.

It is a component of the electrical service system that divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary
circuits, while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. It
is an apparatus on which the switches, wire junctions and receptacles of the internal circuiting are
safely placed.
TYPES OF PANEL/DISTRIBUTION BOARDS
• HT Panel Board
• LT Panel Board
• UPS Panel Board
• Emergency Lighting Panel Board
• Capacitor Panel Board
• Distribution Boards –
• Light DB
• Power DB
• Raw Power DB
• UPS Power DB
• Main Fuse/CB Box
• Switch Boards / Power Socket Boards
COMPONENTS OF PANEL/DISTRIBUTION BOARDS

• Switch Gear – Selector Switch, Incomer Switch Fuse Unit, switches

• Conductors – Cables or Bus Bars
• Circuits Breakers – MCB, MCCB, ELCB, RCCB etc.
• Over load relay
• Different Meters to get readings
Power Distribution Types
• Radial Distribution
Power Distribution Types
• Ring Main Distribution
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
1. Transmission –
• Step – up substations
• HT overhead lines and/or underground cables
2. Distribution –
• Step-down Substations
• HT overhead lines and/or underground cables
3. Service Connections –
• Service Connectors - are the aluminium conductors or weatherproof connections used to
connect distributors with the consumers’ main supply point.
• Energy Meters
• Consumer’s Main Switch
4. Internal Distribution –
• Transformers (Optional)
• LT Panel Boards
• Conductors (Wires/ Cables/ Buses)
• Distribution Boards
• Conductors (Wires)
• Final Room power sockets / appliances
Ring Main Unit (RMU)
In presence of a Ring Main System of Electricity distribution,
where the electricity is provided to the ring main from more
than 1 sources, a Ring Main Unit (RMU) is recommended to
be installed in the end user premise.
Ring Main Unit (RMU) is a compact factory assembled, metal
enclosed and sealed type of Switchgear used for medium
voltage power distribution. It is a complete Switchgear in itself
with assembly of required switching devices (generally Load
Break Switches (LBS)), protection device (CB or Fuses) as
well as metering device (Current Transformer (CT) with
Relays).
Metering Panel/ Metering Cubicle
Metering Panel is key to understanding energy consumption in homes, buildings, and
facilities. This is often undertaken by either metering the whole panel at the source, or by
metering individual circuits for more refined results (branch circuit monitoring).

Metering Panel offer a wide array of features including data logging, internal memory,
time-of-use, power quality and more. Additionally panel meters can also feature a variety
of communication options which allow for the collection of data remotely. This offers
convenient access to an array of power and energy readings remotely, and the ability to
produce detailed reporting.

Metering cubicle is inclusive of measuring Current Transformer (CT), Potential

Transformer (PT) and meters in one cabin. This is used for monitoring and recording and
tariffing the energy consumed or generated.
Instrument Transformer
Instrument transformers are high accuracy class electrical devices used
to isolate or transform voltage or current levels.
The most common usage of instrument transformers is to operate
instruments or metering from high voltage or high current circuits,
safely isolating secondary control circuitry from the high voltages or
currents.
The primary winding of the transformer is connected to the high voltage
or high current circuit, and the meter or relay is connected to the
secondary circuit.
 Types of Instrument Transformer
• CT – Current Transformer - Designed to produce an alternating current in
its secondary winding which is proportional to the current being measured in
its primary. Current transformers reduce high voltage currents to a much
lower value and provide a convenient way of safely monitoring the actual
electrical current flowing in an AC transmission line using a standard
ammeter.
• PT – Voltage or Potential Transformer - Used for the transformation of
voltage from a higher value to the lower value. This transformer step down
the voltage to a safe limit value which can be easily measured by the ordinary
low voltage instrument like a voltmeter, wattmeter and watt-hour meters, etc.
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring
systems –

Tree System – The Rising Mains are run to every floor.

• At each floor the rising mains are connected to sub –

main boards.

• Various Circuits are taken from submain boards.

• The sub-circuits are used for wiring the portion of

load designated or designed
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring systems –

Distribution System – Pair of conductors are run through all rooms. The ring circuit is brought
back to the main board.
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Building Main Switch/ LT Kiosk
DG
Mains
Main Electrical Panel (LT Panel)

Sub Main Panel (ACCP) Battery1 Battery2

Sub Main Panel (LT) Sub Main Panel (RP) Sub Main Panel (ELT) Sub Main Panel (UPS)
Circuits
Distribution boards (LDB) Distribution boards (RPDB) Distribution boards (ELT) Distribution boards (UPS)

Sub-Circuits

Point - Wiring
Switch Switch Switch
Board1 Board1 Board1
Point Point Point
Loads Loads Loads
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring systems – POINT WIRING

1. Looping – in system
• Looping out from switch and ceiling rose
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring systems –

1. Looping – in system
• Looping out from switch – A special two terminal – one connector switch is used.
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring systems –

1. Looping – in system
• Looping out from ceiling Rose – A special two terminal – one connector ceiling rose is used.
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Different types of Internal Electrical distribution wiring systems –

1. Looping – in system
• Looping out from with Junction Box – Pair of conductors from switches and ceiling roses
terminate at junction box.
Main Features of Protective Devices
1. Sensitivity

2. Selectivity

3. Reliability

4. Quickness

5. Non-Interference with future extension

Types of Protective Devices
1. Fuses

2. Circuit Breakers

3. Earthing Systems

4. Lightening Protection Systems

FUSE
A Fuse is a device for protecting a circuit against damage from an excessive current flowing in it, by
opening the circuit on heating and melting of the fuse element by the excessive current in case of
short circuit.

Fuse is the safety valve and the weakest part of the electrical system.

Constituent parts of a typical fuse are –

1. Fuse Holder/Base
2. Fixed Contacts
3. Fuse Carrier
4. Carrier Contacts
5. Fuse Element/ Fuse Wire / Fuse link
Workings of a fuse
The operation of fuse depends upon the heating effect of an electric current
Electric current is increased in the circuit due to
short-circuit or over load

Rate of heat generation is increased which increases

the temperature of the fuse wire

Rate of heat dissipation increases

Rate of heat generation = Rate of Heat dissipation

Fuse wire temperature reaches melting point

Fuse operates
FUSE
Types of Fuse

1. Kit Kat / Ordinary Fuse

2. Screw-Plug type Fuse

3. Knife Blade Cartridge Fuse

4. Ferrule type Cartridge Fuse

5. HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) Cartridge Fuse

6. Time Delay Fuse

Kit Kat fuse and it’s merits and demerits
Advantages

1. Cheap
2. Current limiting in case of short circuits
3. Easily rewirable
4. Requires minimal maintenance

Disadvantages

1. Unreliable operation –
• Due to Oxidation of fuse wire
• Loose connection
2. Lack of selectivity
3. Small Time Lag
4. Easy to misuse
5. Low rupturing capacity
CIRCUIT BREAKER
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical
circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit. Its basic function is
to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be
replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal
operation.
 Types of Circuit Breakers
• Low Voltage Circuit Breakers – Less • High Voltage Circuit Breakers – Above
than 1KV application 66KV application
• MCB – rated current not more than High-voltage breakers are broadly
100 A classified by the medium used to
• MCCB - rated current up to 2,500 A extinguish the arc:
• Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker – Till • Bulk oil
40.5KV application • Minimum oil
• Vacuum circuit breakers—With • Air blast
rated current up to 6,300 A • Vacuum
• Air circuit breakers—Rated current • SF6
up to 6,300 A • CO2
• SF6 circuit breakers • Other Special Use Circuit Breakers
• RCCB
• RCBO
• ELCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
It is an electro-mechanical device that
operates (disconnects circuit) when the
current load exceeds a pre-determined
limit.
It provides both, protection against
over load (very sensitively) and also
against short circuits.
Main Functions

1. Break Circuit at 5 to 20% excessive over load, thus operates even for small overloads of current
flow.
2. Direct indication of the faulty circuit is provided by the switching knob.
3. Though initial cost is higher that a re-wirable fuse, the MCB unit is trouble free and gives safe
protection.
4. The circuit can be reconnected very easily.
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Operation
• High fault capacity thermal/magnetic, current limiting
automatic switching device with just magnetic tripping.
• Two main operation –
• Thermal Operation – with inverse time current
characteristic for overload protection.
➢ Achieved with bimetallic strip >> Deflects when
heated by any overload current >> releases the
latch mechanism >> causes contacts to open.

• Magnetic Operation – assisted by Hammer Trip for

short circuit protection.
➢ In case of Short Circuit rising current energise
the solenoid >> operates plunger to strike the
trip lever >> Immediate releases of the latch
mechanism >> instantaneous opening of
contacts.
Advantages – MCB over Switch Fuses

• MCB limits over-load as well as protects against short circuit, whereas fuse protects against short
circuit alone.
• MCB is essentially tamper – proof as it has sealed enclosure
• Due to narrowly controlled tripping factor i.e., ratio of minimum trip current / rated current, MCB
provides closer protection
• Replacement is easy as these can be pushed into the bus-bas circuit even in energised condition, as
it is also available in plug-in design.
• Modular in design thus can be used in various combinations.
• MCB can assume function of a switch to control on-off function as well
Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MCB and MCCB

• An MCB has less than 100 amps, while an MCCB goes as high as 2,500 amps.
• The interrupting rating for an MCB is 18,000 amps, and up to 200,000 amps for an MCCB.
• Normally, trip characteristics are not adjustable in MCB where as Trip current may be adjusted for
an MCCB
• MCBs are mostly installed for home use, while an MCCB is generally utilized for commercial or
industrial purposes.
• Both are low-voltage circuit breakers created to meet IEC 947 standards.
• Some MCCB units are specially made to respond to remote control signals, usually as standby
power.
Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB)
Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) are the
devices designed to provide protection against accidents by rapidly interrupting dangerous contact
voltages which may be present in faulty electrical equipment as a result of ground faults, insufficient
insulation, insulation failure or misuse and sabotage.

Types

1. Voltage Operated ELCB

2. Current Operated RCCB

Components

The essential parts of an ELCB are –

1. Toroid core transformer with two opposed primary windings.
2. Secondary winding (Search Coil) connected to the trip/operating coil.
3. Test winding connected to the test button
4. Protected Metal Cover
Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB)
Operation

• One of the Primary Windings is connected in series to the main phase line and the other is
connected in series to the neutral.
• As long as there is no leakage current, the phase line current is equal to the neutral current >> the
magnetic flux produced by the two primary windings is equal and opposite >> Flux cancel each
other >> Secondary winding connected to the trip coil does not have voltage induced in it.
• When there is leakage in current >> the line current differs from the neutral current >> Voltage is
induced in the secondary winding >>Trip coil opens the switch in the circuit.
BOOKS and CODES TO REFER

• Govt. of India, CPWD General Specifications for Electrical Works

• L. Uppal, ‘Electrical Wiring, Estimating & Costing’, Khanna Publishers, New
Delhi
• K.B.Raina & S.K.Bhattacharya, ‘Electrical Design Estimating and Costing’, New
Age International Publishers
• National Building Code, India, 2016
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), India, 2007
• Indian Electricity Rules – 1972
• Time Savers Standards– Electrical Design Data
• Other Relevant Codes
• H. COTTON, ‘Electrical Technology’, CBS Publication, 7th Ed.